New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Gabordy Canal

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 4, 2017

1. The Gabordy Canal Marker

Inscription. The Gabordy Canal, also known as the South Canal, was built by colonists brought to the New Smyrna area in 1768 by the Scottish physician, Dr. Andrew Turnbull. As part of the largest single attempt at British colonization, New Smyrna attracted more than 1,400 Minorcans, Corsicans, Greeks, and Italians who sought new opportunities as indentured servants. Turnbull, impressed by the Egyptian canal system, wanted to replicate it in New Smyrna. Three canals, including this one, ran east-west and were linked with a fourth, longer canal that ran north-south. These hand dug canals provided irrigation and drainage for rice, hemp, cotton, and indigo crops grown by the colonists, and served as a mode of transportation within the colony. Local historians believe that the Gabordy Canal was named after the Gabardis, an original colonist family who lived in the vicinity of the canal. After nine years of harsh treatment, drought, and crop failures, the population was reduced to about 600 people. A group of colonists petitioned English Governor James Grant of St. Augustine in 1777 for release from their indenture. The governor granted land

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north of St. Augustine to these colonists.

Erected 2016 by The City of New Smyrna Beach, the Historic New Smyrna Beach Preservation Commission, Mayor James Hathaway, Vice Mayor Judy Reiker, Commissioner Jake Sachs, Commissioner Jason McQuirk, Commissioner Kirk Jones, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-924.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1768.

Location. 29° 0.325′ N, 80° 54.695′ W. Marker is in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. It is at the intersection of South Riverside Drive and Hamilton Road, on the right when traveling north on South Riverside Drive. The Garbordy Canal is the dividing line between New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Smyrna Beach FL 32168, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 4, 2017

2. The Gabordy Canal Marker

Looking south on Riverside Drive

Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Old Stone Wharf (approx. 1.1 miles away); Supreme Sacrifice (approx. 1.4 miles away); PFC Emory L. Bennett (approx. 1.4 miles away); The New Smyrna Odyssey (approx. 1.4 miles away); Turnbull Canal (approx. 1½ miles away); Vietnam Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); New Smyrna Museum Of History (approx. 1½ miles away); Emory L. Bennett Park (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Smyrna Beach.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 4, 2017

3. The Gabordy Canal Marker

Looking north on Riverside Drive

The Gabordy Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 4, 2017

4. The Gabordy Canal

Looking east toward Indian River

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,223 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.