South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

McCollum Fish Weir, Chester County (Address Restricted)
minigate
No Photos Available

The McCollum Fish Weir consists of a V-shaped fish trap or weir located on the Broad River approximately 500-600 feet upstream from the McCollum Mound, from which it gets its name. Shoals, created when the river flows over more resistant bed rock, were ideally suited for the construction of 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 or a brush trap 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. Archaeological evidence in the form of a Morrow Mountain Archaic point, 5050-4050 BC, found in a fish trap on the Potomac River suggests that some of the structures may be very old. On the other hand, weirs were still being constructed by both Colonials and Indians during the eighteenth century. Traps of Indian origin were sometimes repaired by colonists and put back in service. Listed in the National Register August 28, 1974.

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.


Images provided by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.