Libby Hill Park in Richmond overlooks an area that used to be known as "Tobacco Row" because the riverfront was lined with tobacco warehouses and factories. Around 1980 those old warehouses were converted into loft apartments, condos, offices and retail space. The old Lucky Strike factory had its own power plant and when it was converted to office space the smokestack and water tower were left up.
This evening's sunset peeked through the clouds just behind the stack and tower, making the trip to the park worth it.
An interesting photo and information. As my daughter is called Libby this prompted me to look up Libby Hill Park to see who it was named after which was Luther Libby in the mid1800s (wikipedia). However, what was really interesting was that James Byrd II thought the view down to the James River was very similar to a view here in the UK looking down onto the Thames and hence named it Richmond Upon Thames.
@dutchothotmailcom@ejoes775 Thanks! When I left home I was pretty sure that the sunset was going to be completely clouded over and that I'd have to find something else to shoot. You could say I had a lucky strike with the picture of Lucky Strike.
@serendypyty Yes, and the park has a sign with a picture of the view of the river from Richmond Upon Thames that backs up the story. From where that sign is placed the view is very similar - except we don't pronounce the river the Jems ;-)
Luther Libby's home is still there and still magnificent, even though it went from the sole house on the hill to just part of a large neighborhood.
Luther Libby's home is still there and still magnificent, even though it went from the sole house on the hill to just part of a large neighborhood.