Existing comment:
Richmond Today
1 Canal Wall Remains
Portions of the James River and Kanawha Canal wall still remain behind the Civil War Visitor Center at the Tredegar Iron Works.
2 Haxall Canal Restoration
The entirety of the Haxall Canal has been restored, running from the Tredegar headgates to 12th Street.
3 Canal Walk
A pedestrian walk along the restored canals includes historical markers and outdoor exhibits.
4 Great Basin Site
The original turning basin for canal boats is now the site of the James Center. Dozens of canal boats and bateaux were uncoverd when the site was excavated in the 1980s.
5 Tidewater Connection Locks
Two of the original stone locks that connected the canal to the Richmond Dock have been preserved, and are now part of the restored James River and Kanawha Canal.
6 New Turning Basin
The new place on the restored James River and Kanawha Canal in which canal boats can turn around and take on passengers is located between Virginia and 14th Streets.
7 James River and Kanawha Canal Restoration
Portions of the canal that originally connected the Great Basin to the Richmond Dock have been restored between 12th Street and the Triple Crossing.
8 Richmond Dock Remains
A large part of the Richmond Dock still exists below Tobacco Row.
9 Great Ship Lock
Completed in 1854, the granite lock remains in good condition to this day.
Richmond 1856
1 James River and Kanawha Canal
With its first sections completed by 1789, the James River and Kanawha Canal ultimately ran behind the Tredegar Iron Works and connected to the Great Basin.
2 Haxall Canal
Originally a raceway dug to power a local flour mill, the Haxall Canal eventually extended from the Tredegar Iron Works to 12th Street.
3 Great Basin
Canals were so narrow that basins were constructed in which the long baits and barges could turn around. The Great Basin, completed in 1800, was three blocks long and a block wide, between 8th and 11th Streets and Cary and Canal Streets.
4 Tidewater Connection Locks
A series of locks raised and lowered boats between the Great Basin and the Richmond Dock -- a drop of 69 feet. The first set, 13 wooden locks, was completed in 1811. These were replaced by 5 granite locks in 1854.
5 Richmond Dock
A dock, extending from 26th Street to 14th Street, with a large wooden lock connecting it to Rockett's Landing, was in operation by 1822.
6 Great Ship Lock
In 1854, a new 180-by-300-foot lock was completed, enabling the largest sailing ships to enter the Richmond Dock from the James River. |