![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/blkshim.gif) |
![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
|
|
|
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The Patowmack Canal
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
The Patowmack Canal 1785-1828
After the American Revolution, merchants in eastern cities wanted to tap the western region's resources and markets. The plan for internal improvements included a navigable waterway to connect east and west. As early as 1754, George Washington envisioned a system of river and canal navigation along the Potomac River to reach the fertile Ohio Valley. Largely through his efforts, the Potowmack Company was organized in 1785 to carry out this mission.
To bypass the falls, rapids and other impediments to navigation the Potowmack Canal Company constructed five skirting canals around impassible sections of the river. Small, raft-like boats, poled by hand with the help of the river currents carried furs, lumber, flour and farm produce to Georgetown. Although a vast improvement over slow and cumbersome overland transport these transportation improvements were still inadequate. Plans to build a separate, more reliable channel paralleling the Potomac River were soon put into place.
|
|
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
|
|
|
|
![Photo Potowmack Company canal lock at Great Falls Virginia. Photo Potowmack Company canal lock at Great Falls Virginia.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081103010116im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/CHOH_canallock1potowmack.jpg) |
|
Did You Know?
George Washington's dream of connecting the eastern states with the western frontier led to the creation of the Patowmack Company. Locks were built around unnavigable parts of the Potomac River for improved commerce. The C&O Canal inherited the right of way after the Patowmack Company's demise.
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: July 19, 2006 at 07:06 EST |