Fish Wier

Fish weirs have been reported on many of the major streams along the eastern seaboard from Georgia to New York. The size and irregularity of the boulder alignment of the trap at Fishdam Ford would suggest that it is of Native American origin. This location is known as Fishdam Ford deriving its name from the adjacent Native American fish trap. The shallow water, created when the river flows are more resistant bed rock, was ideally suited for the construction of fish traps. The traps were constructed by aligning sloping rows of stone to form a wide V with the mouth facing upstream. A long tapering cane basket was usually placed across a small opening in the apex of the V. The current, flowing into the mouth of the trap, would channel fish into a position from which they could not escape. Fishdam Ford is not only representative of an aboriginal method of fishing that existed in this country long before the coming of the Europeans but the ford also played an important role in the Colonial history of the Carolina back country. Listed in the National Register August 14, 1973.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

Images and texts on these pages are intended for research or educational use. Please read our statement on use and reproduction for further information on how to obtain a photocopy or how to cite an item.