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Williamsport, Maryland is on the border by Virginia. The Canal runs through both areas. as shown below. |
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The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal began as a dream of passage to western wealth. It operated as a conduit of eastern coal, suffered extensive and finally fatal flooding, and then resisted being paved as a highway. It endures as a national historical park today - a pathway into history, nature, and recreation. |
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 The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia. The park was established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to preserve the neglected remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park Act established the canal as a National Historical Park and President Richard Nixon signed it into law on January 8, 1971.
The canal and towpath trail extends along the Potomac River from Georgetown, Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland, a distance of 184.5 miles. In 2013, the path was designated as the first section of U.S. Bicycle Route 50. |
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Below: The gray and white
limestone Lock 44 is located adjacent to downtown Williamsport, with
an earthen dyke that leads over to Main Street. Williamsport is one
of nine Canal Towns, originally supporting the C&O Canal as a major
commercial center and port.
Those who are interested in Canal infrastructure should note that
examples of major canal structures are all on display along a half-mile
stretch of towpath at Williamsport. In addition to Lock 44 and its two-story
wood frame lockhouse (shown below), the Williamsport area also offers
a re-watered section of the Canal, the Cushwa turning basin and the
Conococheague Aqueduct. As a bonus, you can see one of the few remaining
Bollman Iron Truss Bridges crossing the Canal here. |
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The towpath runs the length
of the 184.5 mile long C&O Canal National Historical Park. Made
of crushed stone, it is perfect for walking or biking. Access can be
gained from from many different areas. |
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Due to a sudden very heavy
rainstorm, the two RV Gypsies had to return to the parking lot and their
car without further exploration of the area. |
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However, the two RV Gypsies
drove around awhile and came to the Four Locks area. Unfortunately it
was really just a place to launch boats. However, the two RV Gypsies
experienced driving their car through several small, short, one-lane
bridges and tunnels. They even drove through one tunnel that was flooded,
as shown below. |
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Continue navigation in the order of occurrence - 
