Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Canal Square
The history of Canal Square
Canal Square has seen more than a century and a half of change in Georgetown. It is a typical brick and fieldstone industrial structure built to facilitate barge traffic on the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal. Necessary for westward expansion, canals were the primary means of moving goods before the development of the railways. The building served as a barrel maker's warehouse until 1892, when it was purchased by Dr. Herman Holerith, a self-styled statistical engineer involved in developing the 1890 and 1900 census. In 1924, Dr. Hotherith's tabulating company and several competing businesses were incorporated as International Business Machines (IBM). After IBM consolidated its operations, 1054 reverted to warehouse status and was almost demolished to make way for a parking lot in the 1960s. Architect and developer Arthur Cotton-Moore resurrected 1054 and its adjoining parcels into Canal Square. This 19th century warehouse and its 1970s addition has become a European-style town square.
Erected by RB Properties, Inc.
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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 38°
this page online
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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 5 Congress at Oak Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Canal Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Herman Hollerith (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Long Stretch of Quiet and Peace (about 300 feet away); bluemercury (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Georgetown House (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Georgetown House (about 300 feet away); Crossroads of Georgetown (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. The History of Canal Square (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Georgetown House (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
