Landsford Canal


  • Address: US 21
  • Vicinity: Off US 21
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Structure

The Landsford Canal parallels a two mile section of the Catawba River. Within this section, the River falls thirty- four feet. The Canal consists of three sets of locks, a mill site, miller;'s house, and a lockkeeper's house all in various forms of decay and ruins.

The site parallels a section of "wild river" of considerable scenic merit and is near the historic Waxhaws Church area. The site is also noted for unusual botanical features and a variety of wild flowers. It is heavily timbered and a prime habitat for native birds.

Historically, the Landsford Canal, completed in 1832, was an important transportation link for about fifteen years. The immediate area was involved in military movement from the Revolutionary War through the War Between the States. The Canal remains today as the only canal existing in its entirety without encroachment in South Carolina.

The tract, including an aboriginal ford, was granted to Thomas Land, in 1754, and thus the place derived its name. Fort Taylor, a protection against hostile Indians, stood here in early days. As part of the inland navigation system from the Up Country to Charleston, a series of Catawba canals was begun in 1819 and completed several years later. Landsford Canal, the highest in the system, was built by Engineer Leckie. - NRHP


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1780/08/05 Andrew Jackson Patriot General Thomas Sumter crosses the Catawba River 20 miles north of Rocky Mount at Land's Ford, where about 500 North Carolinians under Major Davie and Colonel Robert Irwin joined his 300 South Carolina militiamen. Battle of Hanging Rock
1780/10/21 Charles Cornwallis British Lt General The British Army under Cornwallis crosses the Catawba at Landsford in after withdrawing from North Carolina following the Battle of King's Mountain. Battle of Kings Mountain
1819/00/00 A series of Catawba canals are begun as part of a inland navigation system from the Up Country to Charleston.
1820/00/00 Robert Leckie Contractor Robert Leckie is contract by the state to build the Landsford Canal. Leckie is to be paid 1,000 dollars per mile and 35 cents for each cubic yard removed.
1820/00/00 Robert Mills Architect Designed by Robert Mills, construction begins on the Landsford Canal using slave and skilled laborers under the supervision of Robert Leckie.
1820/11/29 William R Davie Died William R Davie dies at his Tivoli estate in 1820. Lansford is the site of "Tivoli," the last home of Governor Davies.
1823/00/00 Robert Mills Architect Designed by Robert Mills, the Lockkeeper's House is built down river closer to Great Falls. Over time, roof and interior of the building had collapsed and in the early 1970s the stones were moved to the State Park and a new interior and roof built.
1824/00/00 One of the Landsford Canal locks collapses due to a poor foundation.
1824/11/00 Robert Leckie Contractor Leckie protest that John Couty, supervising engineer, is "not an honest man" and an inferior engineer. For example, County ordered him to blast out c 3' of solid rock at stone Bridge, replace it with inferior puddle (brick mortar) and erect heavy masonry.
1832/00/00 The two mile long, the five lock Landsford Canal is completed.

Data »

Particulars for Landsford Canal:
Cultural Affiliation American
Criteria Architecture-Engineering
Historic Use Canal Related
Area of Significance Engineering
Area of Significance Historic and non-aboriginal
Criteria Historic Event
Criteria Information Potential
Area of Significance Military
Level of Significance National
Owner Private
Sight Category Structure
Area of Significance Transportation
Historic Use Water-related



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 3rd December 1969

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Landsford Canal
Registry Address: Off US 21
Registry Number: 69000163
Resource Type: Structure
Owner: Private
Architect: Leckie
Architectural Style: No style listed
Area in Acres: 660
Non-Contributing Sites: 1
Contributing Structures: 1
Certification: Listed in the National Register
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: National
Area of Significance: Transportation, Historic and non-aboriginal, Military, Engineering
Applicable Criteria: Event, Architecture-Engineering, Information Potential
Cultural Affiliation: American
Period of Significance: 1825-1849
Significant Year: 1832
Historic Function: Transportation
Historic Sub-Function: Water-related
Current Function: Transportation
Current Sub-Function: Water-related

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