Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mule Power

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Mule Power Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018

1. Mule Power Marker

Inscription. Mules were the "engines" for the canal boats. Normally, a boat captain had four mules. Two worked while two rested in their stall in the front of the boat. Captains usually cared for their mules as if they were part of the family. In the canal's peak years, the 1870s, there were about 3,000 mules working on the canal.

Captions:
The mules portable feed trough was carried on the boat. Rest stops were infrequent, but provided a break in the routine.

A mule, a cross between a male donkey and a female horse, combines the size and temperament of a horse and the strength, endurance, and ears of a donkey.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.

Location. 38° 54.248′ N, 77° 3.618′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is on Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest south of M Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

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this postal address: 1052 Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. At All Hours (a few steps from this marker); Creating a National Park (a few steps from this marker); Georgetown and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Georgetown House (within shouting distance of this marker); William O. Douglas (within shouting distance of this marker); Herman Hollerith (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Duvall Foundry (about 300 feet away); The History of Canal Square (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018

2. Mule Power Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.