The Shubenacadie Canal Company was formed in 1824, and the plans for a canal were underway. Francis Hall, a civil engineer, was hired to survey and design the canal. His design had 17 stone locks. A stone lock is a stone construction made for traveling between different water levels on rivers and canals. Water level controls are used to float the boat up to a new level. The stone was granite and other local stone.

Construction of the canal began in 1826. Construction stopped because money ran out but started again in 1853 when The Inland Navigation Company was formed. Charles Fairbanks was the new engineer hired to revise the old canal plan. This plan consisted of fewer locks and two marine inclined planes. An inclined plane is a device on wheels that lifts boats from one level to a different level without using locks. The inclined plane was used to move boats between Lake Charles and Lake William.

In 1856, the canal was finally operating. The canal was used to transport things like lumber, bricks, pottery, and railway iron. By 1870, railways were the cheaper and faster way to transport goods. Because of this, the canal was forced to close. Drawbridges were used along the canal but later replaced with fixed bridges and railways. This made it impossible for boats to pass under it.

Today, the Shubenacadie Canal is a historic site. The canal runs between Dartmouth and Maitland, Nova Scotia. It has been preserved by the Shubenacadie Canal Commission. It is open to the public to enjoy and learn about the history of the canal.