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

Washington City Canal on the Tiber Creek

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 21, 2017

1. Washington City Canal on the Tiber Creek Marker

Inscription. Beginning in 1815, a water transport canal was opened joining the Potomac river and the Anacostia river, then known as the Eastern Branch. The Washington Canal brought building supplies for construction of many buildings in the young city. The canal was built mostly by Irish stone masons, but much of the labor is believed to have been by enslaved African Americans and freemen of color. The canal stones on display were unearthed as part of the water main excavation for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The canal was poorly maintained and beginning in 1871 was covered over by Constitution Avenue. The illustrations of the canal were by Seth Eastman, a military officer and illustrator, who sketched from the canal site during his visits to Washington D.C. in the 1850s.

Erected by Smithsonian Institution.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 38° 53.517′ N, 77° 2.011′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia.

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It is in The National Mall. It is at the intersection of 15th Street Northwest and Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling north on 15th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in 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 marker: Washington Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Live Oaks: A Gathering Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Bulfinch Gate House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheltering Branches (within shouting distance of this marker); Live Oaks: Specimens of Global, Scholarly and Public Research (within shouting distance of this marker); Live Oaks: A Symbol of Strength (within

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 21, 2017

2. Washington City Canal on the Tiber Creek Marker

Canal Stones on left.

shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sheltering Branches (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garden Exhibits at the Museum (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Also see . . .
1. The Rise and Fall of the Washington City Canal. Boundary Stones website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Washington Canal: Cesspool in the Midst of the Nation's Capital. (Submitted on July 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Additional keywords. slave labor

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 21, 2017

3. Washington City Canal on the Tiber Creek Marker

National Museum of African American History and Culture in background.

Marker along 15th Street NW image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 15, 2017

4. Marker along 15th Street NW

Washington City Canal - 1860 image. Click for full size.

5. Washington City Canal - 1860

Washington City Canal image. Click for full size.

6. Washington City Canal

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5, 6. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.