Barnett Canal
Posted by: 
GeoGordie
N 36° 30.283 W 079° 45.555
17S E 611111 N 4040647
Located in Rockingham County .. Eden, NC
An unusual area where one man brought industry into a growing community.
Waymark Code: WM9HQ
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 03/27/2006
Views: 27
When James Barnett bought Tract #12 of the Byrd - Farley estate in 1813, he chose the Island Ford where the Petersburg to Salem Road crossed Smith River as the site for his grist mill. By building a dam on the river, Barnett forced water into a 4200 foot canal which brought power to the mill. In a family division of property, the grist mill fell to William Barnett, Jr. and became the nucleus for a saw mill, an oil mill, a carding machine, a cotton gin and a general store. In 1836 John M. Morehead, later our governor, became sole owner of the total operation and eventually of the whole tract.
Visit Instructions:Photos of your visit to the marker are required, but PLEASE, no old vacation photos taken just because it was there!
Comments about your visit, interesting nearby areas and any significant information you may have on this waymark are encouraged.
Most of all, enjoy the History that North Carolina has to offer! From the Mountains to the Ocean .. it's all here!