James River and Kanawha Canal

The James River and Kanawha Canal was built to facilitate shipments of passengers and freight by water between the western reaches of the James River and the eastern reaches of the Kanawha River. Surveyed and planned by George Washington, and begin in 1785, it was completed by 1851 only as railroads began overtaking canals as an efficient mode of transportation.

Related Topics:
James River - Kanawha River - George Washington - 1785 - 1851 - Railroad - Canal

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The canal was an expensive project which failed several times financially and was frequently damaged by floods. It was largely financed by the State of Virginia. After the American Civil War, when funds for continued financial help were not available from the worn-torn state or private sources, it finally succumbed to the competition, and was bought and dismantled by one of the railroads in the 1870s.

Related Topics:
Virginia - American Civil War

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