Whitfield Canal
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.
Marker is at the intersection of South Walnut Avenue and West Morgan Street, on the left when traveling north on South Walnut Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
