James River and Kanawha Canal

the James River and Kanawha Canal competed against multiple railroads in Richmond
the James River and Kanawha Canal competed against multiple railroads in Richmond
Source: Library of Congress, Map of the city of Richmond, Virginia (1864)

the James River & Kanawha Canal (on far right of graphic) allowed water transport downstream to the Fall Line, where goods were transferred to ocean-going ships at Richmond
the James River & Kanawha Canal (on far right of graphic) allowed water transport downstream to the Fall Line, where goods were transferred to ocean-going ships at Richmond
Source: Library of Congress, Birds eye view of the seat of war around Richmond showing the battle of Chickahominy River, 29 June 1862

upstream end of the James River and Kanawha Canal at Buchanan, 1863
upstream end of the James River and Kanawha Canal at Buchanan, 1863
Source: Library of Congress, Map of the first & second division of the James River & Kanawha Canal
(Confederate States of America: Army, Dept. of Northern Virginia - Chief Engineer's Office, 1863)

by the 1840's, the James River and Kanawha Canal made Richmond even more influential in the economics of the James River watershed
by the 1840's, the James River and Kanawha Canal made Richmond even more influential in the economics of the James River watershed
Source: Historical collections of Virginia, Richmond (p.304)

Getting Started Up the James

Port of Richmond

soon after the Evacuation Fire in April 1865, James River and Kanawha Canal boats were loaded and unloaded in Richmond, moving goods and people across the Fall Line
soon after the Evacuation Fire in April 1865, James River and Kanawha Canal boats were loaded and unloaded in Richmond, moving goods and people across the Fall Line
Source: Library of Congress, Richmond

before completion of the James River and Kanawha Canal, slaves guided bateaux downstream with tobacco, flour, and other cargo to be sold in Richmond
before completion of the James River and Kanawha Canal, slaves guided bateaux downstream with tobacco, flour, and other cargo to be sold in Richmond
Map Source: Library of Virginia, Three Slaves Steering a Bateau (by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1798)

path of the James River and Kanawha Canal through Richmond before the Civil War
path of the James River and Kanawha Canal through Richmond before the Civil War
Source: National Archives, Map of City of Richmond, Virginia (1858)

the James River and Kanawha Canal passed through Richmond on the north bank of the James River
the James River and Kanawha Canal passed through Richmond on the north bank of the James River
Source: Library of Congress, Richmond, from the hill above the waterworks (from a painting by George Cooke, 1834)

Links

the James River and Kanawha Canal linked the Shenandoah Valley to international shipping at Richmond
the James River and Kanawha Canal linked the Shenandoah Valley to international shipping at Richmond
Source: Internet Archive, Sheriff's & Co. Richmond City Directory, 1876-77

Balcony Falls, where James River passes through Blue Ridge
Balcony Falls, where James River passes through Blue Ridge
Source: Library of Virginia, Board of Public Works, A plan of James River from Lynchburg to the North Branch

passenger and cargo boats on the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond
passenger and cargo boats on the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond
Source: Library of Congress, Harper's Weekly (October 1865)

the James River and Kanawha Canal entered Richmond from the west, bringing business from the Piedmont and even west of the Blue Ridge to the Fall Line
the James River and Kanawha Canal entered Richmond from the west, bringing business from the Piedmont and even west of the Blue Ridge to the Fall Line
Source: Harper's Weekly, View of Richmond, Virginia (May 14, 1870)

the James River and Kanawha Canal upstream of Richmond
the James River and Kanawha Canal upstream of Richmond
Source: Picturesque America (1872)

the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond
the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond
Source: Picturesque America (1872)

Confederate troops used the canal to travel west of Lynchburg in 1861
Confederate troops used the canal to travel west of Lynchburg in 1861
Source: Smithsonian Institution, View on the James River Canal, near Balcony Falls - Rebel Troops Going from Lynchburg to Buchanan, on Their Way to Western Virginia (Harper's Weekly, September 28, 1861)


Canals of Virginia
From Feet to Space: Transportation in Virginia
Virginia Places