The Palisades in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Georgetown Incline Plane
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Here, in 1876, an engineering marvel was built. The largest incline plane in the world and the first built in the United States, carried canal boats to and from the Potomac River. The incline plane was used to help clear heavy boat traffic in Georgetown; canal boats often log-lammed while waiting to unload. Boats left the canal through a lock and entered the incline plane's large water-filled car; the water from the car was drained as two stone-filled, counter-balancing cars, moving in the opposite direction, lowered the boat 480 feet to the river, and on to its Georgetown port.
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The incline plane was one of the structures selected to represent American engineering achievements at the Paris Exposition of 1878.
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 • 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 1876.
Location. 38° 54.54′ N, 77° 5.593′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The Palisades. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. MacArthur Boulevard and the Washington Aqueduct (approx. 0.4 miles away); Our Lady Victory Church Stormwater Features (approx. half a mile away); Development Along Foxhall Road (approx. half a mile away); Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.6 miles away in Virginia); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.6 miles away in Virginia); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.6 miles away in Virginia); Joseph Moor, Grocer (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.6 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 11, 2019
3. Mile Marker 9
The marker is about .1 miles to the east of this mile marker on the Capital Crescent Trail when heading from the Abner Cloud House.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
