Dam
During the lifetime of Charles Norris, which was previous to 1770, he erected a dam from the northern shore across to Barbadoes Island to propel his gristmill, which has led to the origin of the waterpower secured here from the Schuylkill. The commissioners that had been appointed under an act of Assembly passed March 14, 1761, to improve the river navigation, in consequence of the decease of Mr. Norris, applied to John Bull, in 1773, requiring from him, as the owner of said mill, water-power and island, to “erect from the upper end of the aforesaid a dam, or wall, of at least twenty perches in length, and inclining in some degree to the eastern side of the said river, and of such height as should be above the water at all times, other than in freshes, so as to direct the waters into the western channel, and also in its building would make use of the stones lying in the western channel.” If this was not done the said commissioners would prostrate or remove said dam altogether, so that the channel should “forever thereafter be free and unobstructed to navigation.”
The Schuylkill Canal and Navigation Company began its improvements in 1816, and two years later began building a dam across the river at the lower part of the [Barbadoes] island, which, by raising the water, was the means of considerably reducing its area. To avoid the expense of litigation, the company purchased, and still own it. Its length, in consequence, is now about three quarters of a mile, or only about one-half of what it was at the time of Colonel Bull’s purchase. Just below its lowermost extremity was the famous Swedes’ Ford crossing place, known by this name at least as early as 1723. The dam was not completed until 1828, its breast being eight feet high, with a width of eight hundred and eighty feet. The dam was not, however, raised to its present height until 1830, (the year that the DeKalb Street bridge was completed) which has since washed away the remaining portion of the island that had been left below it.6
6 Buck, William J. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ed by Bean, Theo. W Philadelphia, Everts & Peck, 1884. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/02023211/
The Schuylkill Canal and Navigation Company began its improvements in 1816, and two years later began building a dam across the river at the lower part of the [Barbadoes] island, which, by raising the water, was the means of considerably reducing its area. To avoid the expense of litigation, the company purchased, and still own it. Its length, in consequence, is now about three quarters of a mile, or only about one-half of what it was at the time of Colonel Bull’s purchase. Just below its lowermost extremity was the famous Swedes’ Ford crossing place, known by this name at least as early as 1723. The dam was not completed until 1828, its breast being eight feet high, with a width of eight hundred and eighty feet. The dam was not, however, raised to its present height until 1830, (the year that the DeKalb Street bridge was completed) which has since washed away the remaining portion of the island that had been left below it.6
6 Buck, William J. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ed by Bean, Theo. W Philadelphia, Everts & Peck, 1884. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/02023211/
