Augusta Canal, Augusta, Georgia

“Take only memories. Leave only footprints.”

Chief Seattle

Augusta’s special treasure is the Augusta Canal and towpath. This is an easy 10.9 mile ride on a hard packed dirt road through the woods with great scenic views. Joe and I love packing up our bikes and riding down the canal from the head gates in Evans to downtown Augusta for lunch and then heading back. Sometimes we bring along a picnic lunch and eat at Harrisburg Beach which is an area people bring their dogs to swim or go wading in the Savannah River themselves. One of the neatest things we ever saw there, was three young men set up a tightrope between two trees about three feet in the air. They took turns walking on it and asking any children nearby if they wanted to try. It was quite the attraction and so entertaining to watch.

The canal was built in 1845 as a source of water power, water transportation, and as a water source. At one time it was known as “The Lowell of the South” as it was copied off the canal in Lowell, Massachusetts. The canal got filled with water on November 3, 1846 and started flowing into the canals eight mile stretch. Next to the canal, they built an extra wide towpath that was used by mules that pulled the flat bottomed, open aired Petersburg boats up the canal filled with cotton bales and produce. The canal was enlarged in 1875 and the head gates were built.

Many industries were built along the canal which proved to be an excellent locations for them being water transportation and the railroad were right there. The first factory built along the canal was the Enterprise Mill in 1845 and opened in 1848 as well as a grist mill that really boomed after the Civil War. In 1983 the mill was closed and in 1990, they built high end apartments there. They have built replicas of the Petersburg boats in 2003-2004 that were inspired by the cargo vessels from earlier times. You can reserve a trip down the canal on one of these fine boats by going to the museum at the Enterprise Mill and taking a historic trip or event trip with music. Check them out https://augustacanal.com/boat-tours. The Sibley Mill completed in 1882 was built on the site that was previously owned by the Confederate Powder Works and was a textile mill that also did really well after the Civil War. It closed in 2006. The mill was built to produce hydro power, and to this day still generates electricity.

The Confederate Powder Works was built in 1861 and at one time had 28 buildings that stretched two miles along the canal. This was the only permanent building built by the Confederate States of America. Unfortunately the only remaining part of that building is the 150’ chimney which has the date it was established on it. This was a gun powder factory during the Civil War and at the time was the second largest gun powder factory in the world and produced 3.5 tons daily.

This path is used now a days for walking, running, or riding bikes which is so enjoyable as it is beautiful and peaceful going under the trees on this partially shaded trail with views of both the canal and the Savannah River along the way. It always makes me smile to see families riding their bikes together and enjoying their day, watching people run with their dogs, and seeing Kayakers making their way down the canal. The canal trail (the old towpath) goes from the Savannah Rapids Park, in Evans at the Head Gates to downtown Augusta.  If you do not own a bicycle you can rent them at the Savannah Rapids ParkWww.bicyclepeddleraugusta.com.

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The canal is now used for recreation and is great for kayaking, rafting, tubing, and canoeing. If you do not own a Kayak, you can rent them at the Savannah Rapids Park (Kayak Rental) where they help you get in, set up, and pick you up at Lake Olmstead on the other end. Www.kayakaugustacanal.com. It is a wonderful ride as the current takes you down to where it connects to the Savannah River. What a relaxing trip on the canoe just sitting back and enjoying the sites and not having to put much effort into it. It is a beautiful ride with Spanish moss hanging from the trees over the water and wild life galore. There are a lot of birds to see and turtles galore.

This is a great way to spend a day or a few hours. Come and enjoy Augusta’s hidden gem.

“Happy Trails to you, until we meet again.” Dale Evans.

Till next time.  Bye for now.