Description
This is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as it passes through Georgetown Washington DC under 31st NW. The canal was operated as a method of conducting commerce from 1831 until 1924. Canal historians estimate approximately 35,000 laborers helped dig the canal as well as build aqueducts, culverts, locks, lock houses, etc. It took 22 years to build the canal from Georgetown, DC to Cumberland, MD. Much of the workforce was made up of immigrants from Ireland and Western Europe. Today, the canal is a park that contains 184.5 miles of towpath and numerous miles of hiking trails to explore.