Hancock in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Work of Art
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 30, 2011
1. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Marker
Inscription.
A Work of Art. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Looking at the remaining iron railings and graceful arch of the Tonoloway Aqueduct, it is easy to see why canal company officials referred to the eleven aqueducts along the canal as “works of art.” Built between 1835 and 1839, Aqueduct 7 carried the canal across Tonoloway Creek. Time and floods have not been kind to the Tonoloway Aqueduct. Years of carrying water and canal boats took a toll on the sides of the aqueduct, eventually causing it to collapse. Debris carried by flood waters damaged and washed away iron railings. To protect the aqueduct the National Park Service built steel braces to support the arch and remaining walls.
Even in 1863 the Tonoloway Aqueduct suffered from maintenance problems; leaking water washed away mortar and weakened the masonry.
Looking at the remaining iron railings and graceful arch of the Tonoloway Aqueduct, it is easy to see why canal company officials referred to the eleven aqueducts along the canal as “works of art.” Built between 1835 and 1839, Aqueduct 7 carried the canal across Tonoloway Creek. Time and floods have not been kind to the Tonoloway Aqueduct. Years of carrying water and canal boats took a toll on the sides of the aqueduct, eventually causing it to collapse. Debris carried by flood waters damaged and washed away iron railings. To protect the aqueduct the National Park Service built steel braces to support the arch and remaining walls.
Even in 1863 the Tonoloway Aqueduct suffered from maintenance problems; leaking water washed away mortar and weakened the masonry.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 39° 41.635′ N, 78° 9.403′ W. Marker is in Hancock, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Main Street
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and Ford Drive, on the right when traveling east. Located on the C&O Canal Towpath. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 326 E Main St, Hancock MD 21750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 30, 2011
3. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.