Canal bridge at Fitzford

Fitzford is in the west of Tavistock and its named after the Fitz family one of Tavistocks illustrious dynasties who settled here in the 15th century. This shows the bridge at Fitzford passing over the Tavistock canal. The canal starts a few hundred metres before as an off shoot from the River Tavy just below the Abbey bridge in the centre of the town. In 1817 the 4? miles of the Tavistock Canal main line opened after 14 years of construction. However by the time the route was ready for business the thriving copper industry of the pre-Napoleonic war years had turned to near extinction after the war. The canal was profitable for over 40 years. As well as copper ore, limestone and slate leaving for the River Tamar via the canal, there was also a good intake of products for the people of Tavistock. This is an example of Stereoscopic photography.