Roanoke Rapids in Halifax County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Roanoke Canal

"Duly Appreciated"

— Confederate Lifeline —

Roanoke Canal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

1. Roanoke Canal Marker

Inscription. The Roanoke Navigation Company—a collaboration among North Carolina, Virginia, and private shareholders—began building the Roanoke Canal in 1819. The company created an inland navigation system from the upper Staunton and Dan Rivers in Virginia, down the Roanoke River through North Carolina, and then via the Dismal Swamp Canal to Norfolk. Construction of the 8.5-mile-long canal around the Great Falls of the Roanoke to the terminus of the project in present-day Weldon, using mostly slave labor, took several years to complete. Locks were built in three locations and an aqueduct was constructed over Chokoyotte Creek in Weldon. The canal boats, or batteaux, were about 60 feet long with an 8-foot-beam. Often, free blacks and slaves were engaged to pole them; each vessel transported 10-12 hogsheads (5-8 tons) of cargo. The canal operated until the railroads, providing more efficient transportation, forced its closure in 1859.

Four major railroads served Weldon, making the town a major transportation center by 1861. Because of the movement of troops and supplies was such a critical component of the Southern war effort, the

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Roanoke Navigation Company experienced a resurgence. The canal was once again used to carry regional farm products to the rail junctions at Weldon for Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Although Union forces destroyed ports, railroads, and bridge throughout the South, the Roanoke Canal remained in service until the end of the war. The navigation company function through Reconstruction era until it ceased operations in 1875.

"The importance of the Roanoke River is apparent. [It is] navigable ... to Weldon, the importance of which place, both on account of its railway connections and communications with the rebel army in Virginia and its water connection with the North Carolina sounds, is evident. ... The fertililty of the Roanoke Valley is well known and duly appreciated by rebel authorities, who depend on it for large supplies for their armies, and who are now making strenuous efforts to provide against its being taken, by fortifications and concentration of troops." - Col. Jones Frankle, 2nd Mass. Artillery, Nov. 24, 1864

Erected by North Carolina Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker

Weldon Aqueduct image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

2. Weldon Aqueduct

The Weldon aqueduct enabled batteaux to pass over Chockoyotte Creek to the basin where goods were transferred to railcars or steamboats. Earthen fortifications, including cannons, guarded this important structure and the western approach to town. - Courtesy Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail.

is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 24, 1864.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 36° 28.466′ N, 77° 38.878′ W. Marker was in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, in Halifax County. It was at the intersection of Jackson Street Extended and Roanoke Avenue (North Carolina Highway 48), on the right when traveling west on Jackson Street Extended. Located in front of the Roanoke Canal Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 15 Jackson St, Roanoke Rapids NC 27870, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

3. Batteaumen

Batteaumen, often slaves or free blacks, transported goods and military supplies on the canal without white supervision. Some batteaumen were involved in antislavery activities. - Courtesy Our State Magazine.

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A Lock in Action – Step By Step (within shouting distance of this marker); The Batteaux (within shouting distance of this marker); The Batteauxmen (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Roanoke Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Bike Trail Map (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal Trail Map (within shouting distance of this marker); Batteaux and Batteauxmen (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Roanoke Canal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke Rapids.

Also see . . . Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail. (Submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

4. Roanoke Canal Marker

Portion of the Roanoke Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

5. Portion of the Roanoke Canal

Canal Lock and Batteaux image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 28, 2012

6. Canal Lock and Batteaux

The structure to the left of this view was built in later years to produce power off the canal's water.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,061 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on May 5, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.