Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The History of Canal Square
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018
Canal Square has seen more than century and a half of change in Georgetown. It is a typical brick and fieldstone industrial structure built to facilitate barge traffic on the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. Necessary for westward expansion, canals were the primary means of moving goods before the development of the railways. The building served as a barrel maker's warehouse until 1892, when it was purchased by Dr. Herman Holerith, a self-styled statistical engineer involved in developing the 1890 and 1900 census. Here some of the first "punch cards" were manufactured, a major icon of 20th century modernity and an important tool in the development of the computer. In setting literally full of bells and whistles, his steam-driven machinery punched census information onto the small cards, which were then taken in horse-drawn carts to another building where the data was tabulated using more of Dr. Holerith's machinery. In 1924, Dr. Holerith's tabulating company and several competing businesses were incorporated as International Business Machines (IBM).
After IBM consolidated its operations, 1054 reverted to warehouse status and was almost demolished to make way for a parking lot in the 1960s. Architect and developer Arthur Cotton-Moore resurrected 1054 and its adjoining parcels into Canal Square. This 19th century warehouse and its 1970s addition has become a European-style town square.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 38° 54.268′ N, 77° 3.676′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is on 31st Street Northwest south of M Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1054 31st 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. Herman Hollerith (a few steps from this marker); A Long Stretch of Quiet and Peace… (a few steps from this marker); The Georgetown House (within shouting distance of this marker); The history of Canal Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Creating a National Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); At All Hours (about 300 feet away); Mule Power (about 300 feet away); bluemercury (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018
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 441 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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