Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
At All Hours
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 20, 2006
1. At All Hours Marker
Every time his boat passed through a lock, a boat captain put his life and livelihood in the hands of the locktender. The wooden lock gates were a delicate balance between safety and efficiency. They had to be light enough to allow one man to move them, yet strong enough to hold back 140,000 gallons of water. A skilled locktender could judge and adjust the flow of water in or out of the lock to minimize the risk to boat and lock.
Locktenders were responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of liftlocks. Neglect or carelessness could mean disaster. In exchange for a small monthly salary, an acre of land and a house, locktenders heeded the horn blast of boatmen even at 2 a.m. or on Sunday. After all, time was money.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.
Location. 38° 54.255′
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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 the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Creating a National Park (here, next to this marker); An Industrial Georgetown (a few steps from 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Also see . . . Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. (Submitted on March 1, 2006.)
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 10, 2016
2. At All Hours Marker
The marker is only a few steps from Thomas Jefferson Street along the towpath.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 20, 2006
3. Canal Boat The Georgetown
When the canal is filled and operating, the lock (narrow portion directly in front of the boat), raises and lowers boats so they can proceed. The canal has a total of 74 locks along its 184 mile length. The locks lift boats from sea level in Georgetown to 600 feet altitude in Cumberland, Maryland. The bridge over the lock is 29th Street, with the 30th Street bridge behind the photographer.
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, February 20, 2006
4. Lock Under Repair
The fourth lock on the canal. Notice the private townhouses off the towpath on the left. The bridge in the distance is Thomas Jefferson Street, with 31st Street behind the photographer.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,018 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 1, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 11, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 1, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 4. submitted on March 2, 2006. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
