History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere cover art

History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere

History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere

By: Ian Stewart
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About this listen

In this new season of History Reinvented we’ll uncover stories of Pine Camp.

In the late 19th century, the 160 acres along the northern border of the city of Richmond was known as the City Farm or City Jail Farm. Later on, Richmonders who were battling contagious diseases, including smallpox and tuberculosis, were isolated on the property.


But because this was the post Civil War South and the height of the Jim Crow era, only white patients were treated until eventually a separate house was built for the city’s Black population. When vaccinations were finally able to stem the diseases, the land and buildings began to take on new life. And while the whites only building remained, the Black ward was torn down.


It’s here where mysteries are being uncovered and the history of those patients and the land itself is being rediscovered. And it’s here where the land is taking on a new life which will allow new stories to emerge.


You can support my independent efforts by buying me a cuppa.

https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart

© 2025 History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere
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Episodes
  • Special Update - Cemetery Mystery
    Jan 2 2026

    Send us a text

    So, it’s been awhile since season two of History Reinvented, Pine Camp, the stairs to nowhere wrapped up. But as luck would have it, I’ve got a few bonus episodes coming up.

    It all started because of listener Andrew Phinney. He grew up all over RVA and he’s a history buff too. He got in touch with me about another story related to Pine Camp, specifically the cemetery near where some of the new bike trails are.

    Now comes the time for me to think about Season three. But I need your help…I’m debating a couple of areas to dive into the history and future of. Those include Brown’s Island and Belle Isle which have a rich and troubled history with the city but are turning into a special space for the city; And it includes the Nickel Bridge, which just celebrated its centennial—that could be lumped in with some transportation history as well, such as the rail cars that once moved Richmonders.

    What are your thoughts? What would you like to hear about? You can let me know in a few different ways—either on my Buzzsprout fan page; or in the comments wherever you listen or via my email, which is in the show notes.

    And here’s where else I need your help…I do these on my own, I’ve got no sponsors or corporate backers–if you are interested in sponsoring the next season, let me know.

    Or if you want to help, I’ve created a new Buy me Coffee link that allows you to help support my efforts as a freelance reporter and podcaster. https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart

    Or you can Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas.

    You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Wrap up Season 2 & an Ask
    Nov 12 2025

    Send us a text

    Now comes the time for me to think about Season three. But I need your help…I’m debating a couple of areas to dive into the history and future of and those include Brown’s Island and Belle Isle which have a rich and troubled history with the city but are turning into a special space for the city; And it includes the Nickel Bridge, which just celebrated its centennial—that could be lumped in with some transportation history as well, such as the rail cars that once moved Richmonders.

    What are your thoughts? What would you like to hear about? You can let me know in a few different ways—either on my Buzzsprout fan page; or in the comments wherever you listen or via my email, which is in the show notes.

    And here’s where else I need your help…I do these on my own, I’ve got no sponsors or corporate backers–if you are interested in sponsoring the next season, let me know.

    Or if you want to help, I’ve created a new Buy me Coffee link that allows you to help support my efforts as a freelance reporter and podcaster. https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart

    Or you can Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas.

    You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment.

    Also, here’s another question…I know many podcasts are moving also to YouTube–is that something you’re interested in? If so, let me know. Not sure how I’ll do that, since I’m an audio reporter by trade but I’d be interested if there’s a demand.

    Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.

    Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.

    I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • A Diabolical Piece of Land
    Nov 3 2025

    Send us a text

    The conclusion

    Kit West knows his trails in Richmond. He’s a certified trail groomer and designer for the city’s parks and rec department. Usually he and his team just help maintain the trails but at Pine Camp a few months ago, I caught him working on his trail design–one that would connect the glass loop trail to the community center.

    He has to use a tractor to make the trail into something functional, basically taking mounds of dirt and roots that are full of twists and tree roots and yes, historical trash and turning it into something cool–something any kid who grew up riding BMX bikes on homemade trails would love to do as an adult.

    History Reinvented is created solely by me, Ian Stewart. I’m a freelance journalist, and a longtime, former public radio reporter. I’ve got no sponsors at this time–so, if you’d like to sponsor this podcast series, let me know. I’d love to do other deep dives into the history of Richmond or surrounding areas.

    If you like History Reinvented and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it . You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment .

    If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas. Thanks!

    That particular connection is open now so go check out Kit’s work.

    Well, that’s it for this season of History Reinvented: Pine Camp, the stairs to nowhere. I’d like to thank everyone who I interviewed for this, who took their time to talk with me about Pine Camp, including Professor Marie Vergamini, and her students and the Parks and Recreation Department. And Gray Montrose, for suggesting this as a topic.

    I hope to be back soon with another season of History Reivented–I’m debating diving into the history and future of either Brown’s island and Belle Isle or maybe the nickel bridge. Let me know what you’d like to learn more about.

    And if you know any sponsors or are one who’d like to sponsor this podcast, which I do all on my own, let me know.

    Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.

    Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
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