‘Connecticut’ found a new home at Lucky Strike in Shockoe Bottom

WHAT: Statue of “Connecticut” in Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia.

WHERE: Lucky Strike building at 2700 East Cary Street in Shockoe Bottom.

ARTIST: Paul Dipasquale

DEDICATED: November 6, 2010. (September 10, 1983 at The Diamond)

DESCRIPTION: This fiberglass and resin composition resembles a giant Indian brave peering out over a parapet. The statue measures 25 feet by 13 feet by 9 feet and weighs 2,400 pounds. It now overlooks the James River in the area near Great Shiplock Park. 

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The statue had been a mainstay at The Diamond during much of the Richmond Braves time at the baseball stadium, on loan from the artist. When the Braves moved out of town, the idea of a tribute to Native Americans at the stadium diminished, prompting the need to find a new home for Connecticut. 

The Lucky Strike building was one of three finalists for the 25-year-old statue, including Powhatan and Henrico high schools, in that order. The board said that the Lucky Strike location provided the sculpture with the most visibility to the public.

In a news release from Odell Associates, “Connecticut,” from the Native American word Quinnehtukqut, translates “beside the long tidal river.” Sculptor Paul DiPasquale chose this name because of his original intention to unveil this monumental tribal tribute in Washington, D.C., along the tidal Potomac River.

With the selection of Lucky Strike @ Power Plant as Connecticut’s home, the Indian finally rests as intended, beside the long tidal river — the James River. The Power Plant @ Lucky Strike is a joint venture between Mac Partners and Odell Associates. This historic landmark recognized in 2009 by the American Institute of Architects and Greater Richmond Area Commercial Real Estate as an Award winning Historical Adaptive Re-Use project.

More ice along the James river

Ice along the mill race in the James River Park System

I’ve had fun finding ice along the James river and in Forest Hill Park this winter. I decided to give it one more shot so see ice on our beloved attractions around Richmond. 

I jumped to a few other spots this time, but other than a frozen canal at Great Shiplock Park and few more huge icicle formations clinging to the driftwood and granite stones along the Main Section of the James River Park System, the James is moving too fast to freeze over.

At Great Shiplock Park, I was hoping to see ice all over the lock — which always has water flowing through cracks in the structure. Again, the water was likely moving too fast.  However, the canal above the second locks was mostly frozen over, and seemed thick enough for some thick-headed person to be walking on top of the ice, leaving tracks in the traces of snow. That would be a bad place to fall in, as there is hardly ever anyone nearby and it is loud with construction and railway noise.

The best find was at the bridge over the Old Mill Race at the VEPCO dam, west of the Southside rocks of Belle Isle. An excellent wintery setting of ice-covered rocks and unique patterns in the sheet of ice over the slow-moving waters below.

You can get there by going to the Reedy Creek parking lot and headed east, or from the tower at the Riverfront Towers and heading west. There is a pathway over a footbridge with a short walk to the mill. The area surrounding this spot and the VEPCO levee have interesting things to see year-round.