Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Canal Defines its Neighborhood
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 2, 2007
1. A Canal Defines its Neighborhood Marker
The canal in front of you is a section of a navigation system that extended 50 miles up the Rappahannock River. The downstream terminus was a turning basin, in the block to your right. Several industries were established nearby, some that benefited from the canal’s navigation function and others from its waterpower.
In the 1880s, R.T. Knox and Brother moved their Sumac Extract Works to an existing mill at this turning basin, after they converted their mill on the lower canal to an electric generating plant. Newly available electricity freed industries from having to locate along waterways and by the end of World War I, the Knox Brothers enterprise had moved again. Within a decade, the Canal had been rerouted and the turning basin drained and filled in. A neighborhood rapidly developed in the area, changing its character from industrial to residential.
Erected by City of Fredericksburg.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A Canal Defines Its Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Walker-Grant High School Class of 1950 Stages Graduation Protest at Fredericksburg Community Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Water Powered Industries (about 700 feet away); Rappahannock River Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fredericksburg Granite (approx. 0.2 miles away); French John's Wharf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Religious Liberty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Washington Burial Site (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mary Washington Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. George Eskridge Memorial Tree (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "A Canal Defines its Neighborhood".
Also see . . . The Story of the Rappahannock Canal. 1978 article by Robert A. Hodge. (Submitted on June 2, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007
2. Marker at the Pedestrian Bridge Over the Canal
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007
3. Pedestrian bridge over the Rappahannock Canal.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,127 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
