Main Street / African Troops Boulevard

Main Street Station is the city gateway and heart of the banking district on the bank of the James River. This district was an indigenous stronghold ... the base of an indigenous mound and remains sacred ground. In additon to the long standing indigenous presence, it is reported that over 50% of the African American population came through this port area bounded by the I-95 and I-64 highway; enslaved by way of more than 100 jail and auction sites, and sold by coffles and railroad to plantations and other work sites in the South. African soldiers (referred to as Colored Troops) led in the fight for liberation. Gabriel (who abandoned the last name Prosser) led rebellion efforts the same time that Haiti won freedom in the Caribbean. Africans in America before the civil war had not yet received citizenship, yet fought gallantly against the scourges of slavery. They joined forces with the Union Army with names such as the Corp de Afrique, and 45th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, leading new chapters of the African presence in America. As fighting intensified and the Union Army became more accepting of their skill and courage, they were enlisted as the U.S. Colored Troops. The 25th Army Corps, commanded by Major General Weitzel entered and seized control of Richmond’s Capitol, freed the enslaved from bondage and ended the civil war on April 3rd, 1865. Their victory march was down Main Street from the confederate docks in Fulton. The 25th Army Corps retains title as the only all African troop in the history of the United States Army.  Africans have always fought for their own liberation.

From Main Street Station travel towards 14th Street and south to the Mayo Bridge.