Savannah–Ogeechee Canal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Savannah and Ogeechee Canal
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly along I-95, between the Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers, Savannah, Georgia |
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| NRHP reference No. | 97000814 |
| Added to NRHP | August 11, 1997 |
The historic Savannah – Ogeechee Barge Canal is an old and important waterway in the southern United States. It starts with a special gate, called a tidal lock, at the Savannah River. From there, it travels about 16.5 miles (26.5 km) through four lift locks before reaching another tidal lock at the Ogeechee River. This is near Fort Stewart.
As the canal winds its way, it passes through many different areas. These include old industrial zones of Savannah, former rice fields, and thick timber forests. It also goes through a beautiful swamp and sandy sandhill areas. These places are home to many unique plants and animals. Today, much of this area is part of the Savannah suburbs, like Garden City and Pooler. The canal was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 11, 1997, recognizing its historical value.
The Canal's Early Days
The Savannah - Ogeechee Canal was a very important and successful project in the mid-1800s. It was first planned in 1824 and the 16.5-mile (26.5 km) canal was finished in December 1830.
However, the canal faced many challenges in its early years. Wooden parts of the locks would rot, and the banks, called embankments, often washed away. The first company that owned the canal ran into money problems and went out of business in 1836.
A new company took over and made big improvements. They widened the canal and fixed its structures. From the 1840s to the 1860s, the canal generally did very well. It became a key part of the economy in south Georgia.
The canal opened for boats in 1831 and quickly became vital for trade. It was especially important for the lumber business. One of the biggest sawmills in the country was located right next to the canal's main area, called a basin. Many other goods also traveled on the canal. These included Cotton, rice, bricks, fertilizer (called guano), naval stores (like tar and pitch), and peaches.
Later in the 1800s, the canal slowly started to decline. In June 1876, very heavy rains severely damaged the canal's banks. Around the same time, a serious illness affected many people in the area. The canal became less useful for transportation and more of a problem for public health. By the early 1890s, the canal stopped being used for boats. This was partly because the Central of Georgia Railway bought many of the canal's properties, including docks and storage buildings.
The Canal Today
Even though the canal stopped being used for business over a hundred years ago, local people are now working to bring it back to life. They want to restore and teach others about this historic waterway and its beautiful natural environment.
The Savannah – Ogeechee Canal Society is working with Chatham County’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department. Their goal is to turn the canal into a long park that people can use for many activities.
You can enjoy a pleasant walk of about 0.5 miles (800 m) along the old paths next to the canal. It's a great way to see this unique waterway.
Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center
Most of the current restoration work is happening near Lock 5, at the end of the canal by the Ogeechee River. This is where you'll find the Savannah–Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center. It is located at 681 Fort Argyle Rd, Savannah, and is open to visitors.
Inside the museum, you can see exhibits that tell the story of the canal's history. You can also learn about the natural history of the local area, including its plants and animals. The museum also offers special guided tours. These tours teach you more about the history of the canal and the nature around it.
