Canal Town

October 17, 2024 -- Williamsport is/was a canal town. It is the only place in North America where visitors can view a variety of canal features in one place, including an operational lift lock and refurbished lockhouse, a railroad lift bridge, a canal turning basin and warehouse, and now a watered aqueduct.

Cushwa Basin

Warehouse, now Visitor's Center

Cushwa Basin is one of the few places that boats could turn around on the C&O Canal. Thus, it was a major point of unloading and loading. It also factored prominently in the Civil War, as troops from both sides were ferried across the Potomac River. At one time, Williamsport was under consideration to be the Capitol of the United States, due to its location on the Potomac.

Trolley Barn, ca. 1896

Bollman Bridge, ca. 1879

From the Canal Trust:  "Built in 1923 by the Western Maryland Railway, the railroad lift bridge is one of several one-of-a-kind features on the C&O Canal. Operating like an elevator, this structure lifted the railroad tracks to allow canal boats to pass beneath. The tracks, for transporting coal, led to the power plant between the river and the canal. In 1924, the C&O Canal closed making the lift bridge unnecessary." 

Railroad Lift Bridge, ca. 1923

The Conococheague Aqueduct is second largest of the 11 on the 184.5 miles of the C&O Canal. It is watered and fully operational. It began operation in 1835 and ended in 1924 due to flood damage. In 1861, Union troops destroyed the aqueduct to prevent Confederates from escaping through Williamsport. The aqueduct was restored 2017-2019. 

Conococheague Aqueduct (1835-1924)

Lockhouse 44 wasn't built until after the Civil War, though lock 44 was operational. In 1862, the lock  gates along with 11 canal boats were burned. The following year, the gate was burnt again and part of the lock wall was torn down. Lockhouse 44 is located at mile marker 99.1.

Lockhouse 44

Along the Canal

Bridge across the Potomac

The C&O Canal National Park Headquarters is located in Williamsport.  It is the administrative hub for the 184.5 miles of the canal. A mule statue stands in front of the headquarters.

C&O Canal Headquarters

Mule statue in Williamsport

Cushwa Basin is one of my favorite places to take Ty. It's close-by. If offers nice walks along the canal (he always wants to get in the canal), with wildlife viewing (turtles and geese in the spring) and a place to put Ty into the Potomac. There is a boat ramp. Ty loves playing in water, so long as the water doesn't get too deep.  On hot days, it provides a good break, as it's in between walking areas. We usually walk to the Lock and Lockhouse 44, then across the aqueduct.

Me and Ty (powerplant in background)

Ty in the Potomac and beside the aqueduct

Ty waiting patiently for me