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One way of understanding our history is to undertake archaeological investigations which can help solve some of the mysteries of the past. The Catawba River Valley has been inhabited for many thousands of years, and our understand of much of this past is limited. As part of the efforts of the Katawba Valley Land Trust to preserve our past, several archaeological projects have been undertaken.
- Gen. William Richardson Davie Home Site, Landsford Canal State Park.
Davie (1756-1820) was a lawyer, state legislator, Revolutionary officer, member of the U. S. Constitutional Convention, Governor of North Carolina, peace commissioner to France, and founder of the University of North Carolina. Davie grew up in the Waxhaw area of Lancaster County and graduated from Princeton in 1776. Following his public career, he retired to his plantation, Tivoli, at Landsford on the Catawba River. He became a Commissioner on the South Carolina Board of Public Works, actively supporting the development of canals to enhance the state's economy. He donated part of his plantation to the development of the Landsford Canal, including his gristmill raceway. Tivoli was burned by ShermanÍs troops during the Civil War. One of the goals of the land trust is to document the location of Tivoli and attempt to interpret the life of Davie during his final fifteen years at his home. During early 2000, Legacy Research Associates, Inc. of Durham, N. C. undertook some preliminary investigations on the Davie plantation. One site was identified as a home site of the period of Tivoli, based on artifacts found. Native American artifacts were also revealed. KVLT hopes to continue this work with additional archaeological investigations. It is believed that the site of Tivoli is on property which will be added to the Landsford Canal State Park. The potential exists for a future interpretive site on the grounds of the park.
- Catawba River Grist Mill Survey.
A survey was conducted in 1999-2000 documenting the remains of eight grist mills on and near the Catawba River. For a complete description, visit the Grist Mill page.
- Dearborn Island Archaeological Survey, Great Falls.
In 2001, KVLT, in cooperation with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, submitted an application to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History for a Survey and Planning grant. The project will involve a survey and documentation of the site of a United States Arsenal. One of three arsenals developed in the early 1800s, the Rocky Mount Arsenal is relatively unknown. The It is hoped that a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places can be developed as part of the project. Duke Power, which owns the island, is assisting with a donation providing the match for the grant.
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