Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Creating a National Park
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Look around you. The park you stand in exists because people cared. In January 1954, Justice William O. Douglas of the Supreme Court of the United States responded to a Washington Post editorial recommending that the C&O Canal be turned into a parkway. Writing in support of preserving the canal as a national park, Douglas wrote, “It is a sanctuary that would be utterly destroyed by a fine two lane highway.” He invited the editors and other reporters to join him on a hike of the entire canal to enjoy its beauty and better understand his point. Merlo Pusey, who wrote the editorial, and his editor Robert Estabrook accepted the challenge.
On March 22, 1954, the hike began near Cumberland. Douglas and his companions invited authorities on the natural and cultural history of the Potomac River and the C&O Canal to join them. The hikers learned about the canal and enjoyed the scenery. After the hike, Estabrook wrote an editorial in the Post supporting setting the canal aside as a national park. The walk, and the news stories it generated, motivated hundreds to fight to save the canal. In 1961 the C&O Canal was preserved as a National Monument. Through Douglas's action and the efforts of those he inspired, this park was preserved for you to enjoy. If you would like to learn what you can do to help care for the park, visit the nearest park visitor center.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1954.
Location. 38° 54.255′ N, 77° 3.622′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is on C&O Canal Towpath Northwest west of Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The C&O Canal Towpath is an official street in this area because there are private residences accessible only by the towpath. It is pedestrian-only since it is too narrow for cars in places and set below street level. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1058 Thomas Jefferson Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. At All Hours (here, next to this marker); Mule Power (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); Herman Hollerith (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,491 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 2, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on March 2, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.