Hancock on the canal

August 3, 2023 -- Hancock is a town on the C&O Canal Trail at mile marker 125. I (we)'d passed by the C&O Canal signs many times. Our doctor is in Hancock. Mom and I finally decided to stop and explore the area. The Visitor Center is located in the Bowles House. It was closed on the day we visited.

Hancock Visitor's Center

The Bowles House was originally a one story house. It overlooks the Potomac River. It was built in the 1780's and witnessed the arrival of the C&O Canal.  The house residents catered to the canawlers who passed through lock 52 and the Tonoloway Aqueduct.

Bowles House

The ruins of Lock 52 and the Tonoloway Aqueduct are very close to each other and not far from the Bowles House. The Tonoloway Aqueduct was constructed between 1835 and 1839.  It carried canal boats across Tonoloway Creek, a 31-mile tributary of the Potomac River.

Remnants of the Lock

Ruins

Lock 52

Potomac River

Tonoloway Creek

Rocky Shore