Shockoe Slip in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Tidewater Connection Locks

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

1. Tidewater Connection Locks Marker

Inscription. In 1854 the Tidewater Connection Locks linked the canal basin to the Jame River tidewater below Richmond. The system contained five granite locks, each measuring 15 x 100 feet. This resulted in a flight of water stairs that lowered boats a total of 69 feet within a distance of 3½ blocks. A sixth lock, the Great Ship Lock, was located just 1½ miles east near Pear Street. Traffic on the canal peaked in the late 1850's following completion of the Tidewater Connection Locks. However, the canal suffered heavily with the expansion of railroads. In 1880 the canal was sold to the predecessor of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway System (now CSX) and the towpath was largely converted to rail beds.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 37° 32.055′ N, 77° 26.161′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Slip. Marker is at the intersection of South 12th Street and East Byrd Street, on the left when traveling south on South 12th Street. This marker is on the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James River & Kanawha Canal (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Christopher Newport Cross / Canal Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Christopher Newport Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Electric Trolley (within shouting distance of this marker); Gallego Mill Flume (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flour Trade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Inside A Flour Mill (about 300 feet away); Gallego Mills (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

More about this marker. On the left of the panel is a map carrying the caption, "Left: Detail from Illustrated Atlas of the City of Richmond, Va. by F.W. Beers published in 1876. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

On the top right of the panel is a photo carrying the caption, "Above: Peachy Griffin and his wife in front of the James River and Kanawha Canal's lockkeeper's house at Lock #4. Courtesy of Dementi Studio

This marker is replicated along the Canal Walk.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond’s Historic Canal Walk

Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

2. Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk

. Venture Richmond (Submitted on October 30, 2009.)

2. James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on October 30, 2009.)

Tidewater Connection Locks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

3. Tidewater Connection Locks

Nearby Historic Landmark Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

4. Nearby Historic Landmark Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,031 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.