Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in Georgetown
This lecture is part of two series:
Our D.C. lunchtime lecture series continues with Georgetown, a unique neighborhood that predates the establishment of the federal district and Washington City by 40 years. Founded in 1751 on 60 acres along the Potomac River in the province of Maryland, Georgetown was the farthest point upstream still navigable for oceangoing boats. After the establishment of the federal capital, Georgetown became an independent municipal government within the District of Columbia.
Georgetown is bounded by the Potomac River on the south, Rock Creek to the east, Burleith and Glover Park to the north, with Georgetown University on its west end. Much of Georgetown is surrounded by parkland and green space that serve as buffers from development in adjacent neighborhoods.
Featured Topic: C&O Canal
By the 1820s, the silt-choked Potomac River was not navigable up to Georgetown. Construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal began in July 1828, to link Georgetown to Harper's Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). Never profitable as a mode of transportation, it proved to be an economic boost for Georgetown. In the 1820s and 1830s, Georgetown was an important shipping center as tobacco, coal, lumber and agricultural products floated down the C&O to market.
Today, the C&O Canal National Historical Park is the ninth most-visited site within the National Park System, with more visitors annually than signature parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon. The C&O Canal Trust works in partnership with the C&O Canal National Historical Park to support maintenance and visitor programs.
Speaker Patricia Barber is director of development, C&O Canal Trust.
