Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Construction of the 184 mile long canal started in 1828 and took 22 years to complete. The 605ft (184m) difference in elevation between Cumberland and Georgetown was overcome by a series of 74 locks. Obstacles were tackled with the construction of 11 aqueducts and a 3120ft (951m) long tunnel.
Along the canal was a towpath from where mules towed the boats upstream. At its heyday in the 1870s, more than 800 boats were operated on the canal, transporting coal, grain or flour to the port in Georgetown.

Several floods and competition from railroads put the C&O canal out of business in 1924, and in 1938 the property was bought by the Federal Government. In the 1950s, Congress planned to replace the canal with a parkway.
Justice Williams O. Douglas, member of the US Supreme Court was able to turn public opinion against the plans, so they were set aside and in 1971 the C&O canal was designated a National Historical Park.

The Chesapeake and Ohio canal runs for about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) in Georgetown, between K and M streets. The banks of the canal are lined with beautiful houses in mostly Federal Style. The tow path along the canal is now a very popular bike and hike path. Visitors can also enjoy a 70-minute ride in a mule-drawn canal boat replica. They are operated by Park Rangers dressed in period costumes.