Demopolis in Marengo County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Whitfield Canal

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 12, 2010

1. Whitfield Canal Marker

Inscription. Drainage canal constructed between 1845 and 1863 by slaves of General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, builder of Gaineswood, to prevent water from overflowing and flooding his plantation. The water from 2,070 acres south and east of Gaineswood originally followed a 17 mile course to reach the Tombigbee River. The canal, approximately 1 mile long in some places more than 30 feet deep, quickly diverts this surface water into the river at Demopolis.

Erected 1974 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 32° 30.459′ N, 87° 50.27′ W. Marker is in Demopolis, Alabama, in Marengo County. It is at the intersection of South Walnut Avenue and West Morgan Street, on the left when traveling north on South Walnut Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Demopolis AL 36732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of 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 walking distance of this marker: Gaineswood (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Leo’s Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Demopolis Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Maison Marengo"

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(approx. half a mile away); U.S. Jones High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Downtown Demopolis / Demopolis (approx. 0.6 miles away); Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Demopolis Theater District (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Demopolis.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 12, 2010

2. Whitfield Canal Marker

Whitfield Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 12, 2010

3. Whitfield Canal

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 12, 2010

4. Gaineswood

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,443 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 15, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.