The first known account of the Prehistoric Trade Canal in Gulf Shores was made in a report to Congress in 1827 by Army Captain Daniel E. Burch. There have been stories about this canal and others like it since the beginning of European settlement in North America.
These canals were used to transport trade goods between large inland bodies of water all along the Gulf Coast, this canal was constructed and used sometime between 500-600 AD.
These canals were used to transport trade goods between large inland bodies of water all along the Gulf Coast, this canal was constructed and used sometime between 500-600 AD.
Currently, only two sections of the Gulf Shores canal are known, but much of the canal has been covered by current development. The City of Gulf Shores owns one section, at Little Lagoon and is currently trying to restore and interpret the area. This canal is the only known canal this far west. Places in Peril seeks to elevate the awareness of the community about this site. Most of the canal is at risk from development pressures in the area and may have already been destroyed. It’s imperative the community recognizes this site and its contribution to the history of the Gulf Coast.
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