Augusta Canal and Waterworks History Manuscript collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS-119

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of two loose leaf manuscripts that detail the history of the Augusta Canal and the Augusta Waterworks. Both manuscripts have coinciding engineering reports that document and detail the facilties, original construction, loation, and other general details.

Dates

Created: 1822-1977

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

The Augusta Canal was built in 1845 to power textile mills and facilitate transportation. It is the only fully intact American industrial canal in continuous operation. Designed by Henry Cumming, it utilized the Savannah River for industrial growth, powered Confederate industries during the Civil War.

Augusta Water Works began in 1828 with Hiram Knowlton constructing a system using pine logs to carry water from Turknett Spring to downtown. Following the 1845 construction of the Augusta Canal, a modern canal-based water system was completed in 1861, and the current Goodrich Street pumping station was built in 1899, establishing a reliable, long-term water supply for the city.