McCollum Fish Weir
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Address Restricted (Chester County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817712009
Description and Narrative:
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.
Period of Significance:
before 1400;15th century;16th century;17th century;18th century;19th century
Level of Significance:
National
Area of Significance:
Archeology: Historic - Aboriginal;Archeology: Prehistoric
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
August 28 1974