Haulover Canal

Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Co dug the current Haulover Canal so steamships on Volusia's Halifax River could access the Indian River.

Sailboat on the Haulover Canal

Table of Contents

About Haulover Canal

In 1887 Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Co. dug the current Haulover Canal, moving it south of the historic "Old Haulover" canal. In 1927, the canal was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, who widened and deepened the canal channel for use in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) system. As part of the ICW, the canal sees a steady parade of all types of water craft, shipping barges, yachts, sailboats and fishing boats of all sizes transverse the canal throughout the day.

Situated in Merritt Island National Refuge, the canal's shores are maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWC). Open to the public during daylight hours only, the canal's shoreline is a nature lover's paradise. Haulover offers a Manatee Watch Station, boat ramps, day hiking, picnic and fishing areas. It is a preffered launching area for kayakers, canoeists and anglers heading for the Mosquito Lagoon.

Location

Coordinates: (28° 44.238′ N, 80° 45.264′ W) Map

Haulover Canal cuts through the northern end of Brevard County's Merritt Island to connect Mosquito Lagoon with the Indian River.

History

Haulover Canal Historic Marker,Merritt Island

Native Americans, explorers and settlers hauled or carried canoes and small boats over this narrow strip of land between Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River. Eventually it became known as the “haulover.” Connecting both bodies of water had long plagued early settlers of this area. Spaniards visited as early as 1605 and slid boats over the ground covered with mulberry tree bark. Early settlers used rollers and skids to drag schooners across. Fort Ann was established nearby in 1837, during the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842), to protect the haulover from Indians and carry military supplies from the lagoon to the river. In 1852, contractor G.E. Hawes dug the first canal using slave labor. It was 3 ft. deep, 14 ft. wide, and completed in time for the 3rd Seminole War (1856-1858). Steamboat and cargo ships used the passage until the railroad arrived in 1885. By 1887, the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Co. dug a new and deeper canal which you see now, a short distance from the original. The Intracoastal Waterway incorporated the Haulover Canal as a federal project in 1927 to be maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1964 a concrete and steel double leaf Bascule drawbridge was constructed at North Courtney Parkway (CR3).

In 1978, the National Park Service recognized Haulover Canal as a historic place worthy of preservation in it's National Register of Historic Places (listing #78000262 ). There is a Historical Marker located near Haulover Bridge.

Haulover Canal Bridge

Haulover Canal Images

Haulover Canal - Rusty Clark

Haulover Canal - Rusty Clark

Merritt Island Haulover Canal

Haulover Canal Bridge FL1

References