The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Family Affair
National Mall and Memorial Parks, Lincoln Memorial
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
History remembers the names of two lockkeepers, first John Hilton then Thomas Sampson, but everyone in the family helped operate the lock. The families lived and worked together every day. We can imagine a morning when the lockkeeper collected tolls from barges while his children opened the lock to allow the barge to pass. The lockkeeper's wife, down at the dock, may have answered questions for barge and dock workers.
How would you feel working with your family every day?
[Caption:]
Canal boats were towed by mules down hundreds of miles of canals. Their journey ended here, where the C&O Canal finally met the Potomac River.
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° 53.49′ N, 77° 2.434′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It is on 17th Street Northwest just south of Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling
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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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Not Built to Last (a few steps from this marker); Disappearing Act (within shouting distance of this marker); Let's Ride (within shouting distance of this marker); Lock Keepers House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Washington City Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeping Us Connected (within shouting distance of this marker); Silent Witness (within shouting distance of this marker); Shaped by People (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
