Rocky Mount Canal, Lock Keeper's House, Great Falls

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,12-GREFA,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This building is the only structure of its type remaining in South Carolina from the canal construction period of the PART I - Historical Information A. Physical History 1. Little information is available concerning this structure. Local historians credit this building to Robert Mills; however, extensive research has not supported this theory. 2. Date of Construction: c. B. Historical Events Rocky Mount Canal was constructed c. under the legislative Act of which appropriated for the building of roads, canals and improving rivers in South Carolina. These improvements were deemed necessary to off set the decline in the price of cotton due to competition from other southern states. Rocky Mount was one of a series of four canals that skirted the shallows and shoals of the Catawba River.

However, the system of canals were extremely expensive and inefficient, and soon fell into disuse with the ex- pansion of railroads in the Navigation on the Catawba ceased by C. Sources of Information 1. Old Views: One existing photograph taken in showing the front view, the building is shown intact with the roof and windows and appears livable. 2.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,12-GREFA,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Hollis, Daniel W. Inland Navigation in the South Carolina Piedmont, Wallace, David D., South Carolina, A Short History, page ROCKY MOUNT CANAL, LOCK KEEPER~S HOUSE HABS No. Data Page ( 2) 3. From information compiled by the History Section of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. ~ PART II - ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural Character: This is an example of republic architecture and is probably typical of the canal support structures built at other locks. 2. Condition: Severely vandalized, all windows, doors and interior trim is missing. The floor structure and roof is missing and several sections of the walls have been torn down. B. Description of Interior 1.

Over-all dimensions: This stone house, approximately 39 feet by 22 feet consists of one story. 2. Wall construction: Stone, the larger stones were scored to give a smaller appearance. 3. Chimneys: There are two chimneys, one on each side wall. ~. Openings, doors and windows: One door at the front and four windows at the front and back. C. Description of Interior 1. Walls: Masonary covered with plaster. 2. Interior details are completely destroyed. Reviewed by Eleni Silvermar September ADDENDUM TO: HABS No. ROCKY MOUNT CANAL, LOCK KEEPER'S HOUSE (Rock House, Ruins) Great Falls vicinity ~ Chester County South Carolina ~ Ii 6~ J"A # 1- PHOTOGRAPHS WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior C St.

NW Washington, DC I I 11 ADDENDUM TO I ;t ROCKY MOUNT CANAL, LOCK KEEPER'S HOUSE HABS No. /- (Page 3) HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY ROCKY MOUNT CANAL, LOCK KEEPER'S HOUSE (Rock House, Ruins) This report is an addendum to 2 data pages previously transmitted to the Library of Congress. In March research proved that this structure had been recorded under two separate numbers, one with photographs only and one with measured drawings and written historical data. To bring these items together, the photographs in HABS No. were de-accessioned and added to HABS No. by this addendum. Information on the index card for HABS No. included the following: Rock House Ruins Great Falls Chester County South Carolina On Catawba River. Regular ashlar, one story, pilaster-strip treatment across front.

Date unknown. 2 ext. photos Card prepared Oct.