Landsford Canal State Park Catawba River, Chester County

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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County

• Landsford Canal State Park is located on the
  Catawba River in eastern Chester County.
  Visitors to the park are amazed by the 19th
  century canals built to carry boats past the
  rocky shoals of the river. These canals were
  designed by the first architect professionally
  trained and born in America, Robert Mills.
  Mills, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, is
  perhaps most famous for his design of the
  Washington Monument.
• A trip to Landsford Canal State Park offers
  students a glimpse into our transportation
  history, as well as a view of the beauty of
  nature that now surrounds these ruins.
• Click here for a detailed lesson plan designed
  for use at Landsford Canal.

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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
The Guard Lock
To enter the canal, a boat had to pass through
these guard locks. These locks protected the
canal from flood damage.
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
Stone Culverts These stone arches allowed small
streams to channel beneath the canal. This
protected the fragile canal bed.
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
Rocky Shoal Spider Lilies Late spring, early
summer
These beautiful spider lilies bloom near an old
saw mill along the Catawba River, and are one of
the largest populations of lilies in the world.
They are a favorite focal point along the nature
trail.
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
The Davie Mill Complex These stone walls were
added to accommodate the canal to a pre-existing
grain and saw mill. The mill was powered by
streams that ran beneath the canal.
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
Lifting Locks These lifting locks were the
canals most important feature. They allowed
boats to drop 36 feet in elevation without
passing through treacherous shoals. A stone
bridge passes overtop.
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
View of the main Lifting Locks
The locks as seen from atop the stone bridge
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Landsford Canal State ParkCatawba River, Chester
County
Park Hours Thursday-Monday 9 a.m. 6 p.m. (803)
789-5800
Picnic and recreation areas are available at the
park.