The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Canal Connection
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, March 25, 2006
1. The Canal Connection Marker
Click on the image to zoom in to study the map.
President George Washington commissioned Pierre L'Enfant to design the Capital City in 1790. The L'Enfant Plan included a system of canals to transport heavy goods at a time when roads and streets were few and muddy. The Washington City Canal (green) was opened in 1815. Construction began in 1828 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (yellow) to connect Washington, DC, to the fertile Ohio Valley. The Washington Branch of the C&O Canal (red), built by 1833, joined the two waterways and opened the city to commerce.
The Canal ventures proved to be an expensive investment. The Washington Branch of the C&O Canal and the Washington City Canal carried so little commerce that they were abandoned 30 years after construction. Railroads, not canals, dominated transportation in the nineteenth century. In the 1870s the long process of filling these canals began.
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 year for this entry is 1790.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.518′ N, 77° 2.385′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Shifting Foundations (a few steps from this marker); Silent Witness (a few steps from this marker); The Washington City Canal (a few steps from this marker); Lock Keepers House (a few steps from this marker); Let's Ride (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); White House on the Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Bulfinch Gate House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
Captions:
Artists view of Washington City Canal about 1850, showing the canal route west of the Capitol.
This Canal house built at Lock B by 1833, sheltered the lockkeeper who also collected tolls and kept records of commerce on the waterway. It remains today as the only remnant of the Washington Branch of the C&O Canal. (Photograph ca. 1910).
Also see . . . Constitution Avenue Was a Canal: History of the Washington City Canal
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton
2. The Canal Connection Marker
(Submitted on August 1, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, March 25, 2006
3. Lock Keeper's House
Photographer is standing on the sidewalk on Constitution Avenue. This marker is hidden by the bushes to the right of the door. The Lock Keeper's House Marker can be seen to the left of the door.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 23, 2008
4. The Canal Connection Marker
Partly blocked by the bushes.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 13, 2013
5. Wide view of The Canal Connection Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6,358 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on August 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 17, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 28, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4. submitted on August 12, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on January 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
