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THE C&O CANAL IS A NATIONAL TREASURE

By David Roffman

July 2009

The old Potomac Canal has been front page news since the 18th century when George Washington initiated the idea, and made the first financial contribution toward its building. Now known as the C&O Canal, it is a sightseer’s delight rather than the commercially productive waterway it was intended to be.

In 1774, George Washington was successful in urging the Virginia legislature to pass a law empowering “such persons as were disposed to embark in the enterprise” to open the Potomac to navigation from tide-water to Will’s Creek.

Washington’s interest in this scheme led to the formation of the Pawtommack Company in 1784, and he himself subscribed $2,500 of the original $40,000 raised.

Washington’s plans were for a canal to Cumberland, an overland route by a national highway to the mouth of the Cheat River, and a second overland route between the Cheat River and the Monongahela River.

In 1825, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was formed to carry on the the plans for a canal to Cumberland


On July 28, 1828, President John Quincy Adams turned the first sod for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, right here in Georgetown. The sixth President of the United States was no stranger to Georgetown. He financed a mill, believed to have been built by Benjamin Stoddert, but purchased by Adams in 1825. It was located in southern Rock Creek Park.
As President Adams plunged his spade into the soil he struck an unyielding root. He tried again, only to encounter another equally obstinate root. Finally, to the applause and cheers of the crowd gathered on the soon to be site of the beginning of the C&O Canal (at Thomas Jefferson Street), he took off his fancy coat and got to work in earnest to break through the network of roots in order to reach the soil below.

After Adams’ splendid effort the workmen ttook over, apparently not without some misgivings, for a little more than a mother later the C&O Canal company was trying to convince them that this was a perfectly healthy climate in which to work. It advised them to live on high ground, “avoid the morning fogs, and the dews of night,” and get a
good breakfast every morning. If they took these precautions they would no trouble “in Georgetown, Washington, and Alexandria, three of the healthiest cities in the Union, as undeniable facts demonstrate.” The workmen got $10 a month in addition to all this good advice.

Water was admitted in 1831, and by 1833 the Canal had been extended sixty miles to Harper’s Ferry; in 1839 to Hancock; and in 1850 to Cumberland. Only the section to Cumberland was completed, but trade was brisk for many years, especially during the 1870s, the peak of traffic volume on the Canal. During the Civil War it was used to transport troops and supplies. Confederate forces continually attempted to disable
it, and parts of it were in their possession throughout the war. Colonel Mosby blew up locks, ran off mules, and destroyed boats in an effort to put it out of operation, but it was always repaired after each raid.

In 1833, the C&O Canal had been connected with the Washington Canal downtown. This brought water transportation through the city from Rock Creek past the old gas house and Heurich’s Brewery in Foggy Bottom, near the old Observatory toward Center Market, running through a portion of what are now the grounds of the National Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution, and from there to the Navy Yard.

After the turn of the century canals began to fail because they could not operate economically. The C&O Canal was particularly plagued. There were government-owned barges on the Canal during World War I, but operation was often halted because of lack of labor due to the draft. The flood of 1934 dealt the coup de grace to the C&O Canal, and no successful efforts were ever made to bring it to life after that. It was purchased by the government in 1938 and is now maintained by National Capital Parks.

And today, the Canal with its towpath, locks, and mule-drawn barge dubbed “Georgetown,” is a favorite scene for residents and visitors alike. And it all started on July 4… in 1828.

TAKE A RIDE ON "THE GEORGETOWN"
Public boat rides are offered during the spring, summer, and fall months. The boat season usually lasts from early April through the end of October. Canal boat rides run five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Please call the visitor center for specific dates and times as well as additional information. Georgetown Visitor Center 1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW Washington, D.C. 202-653-5190. The Georgetown Visitor Center is closed Monday and Tuesday during the boat season.

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