Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was added to Your Favorites!
Potomac, Maryland
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The canal, operational from 1831 to 1924, was crucial for transporting coal from the Allegheny Mountains to Washington, D.C.
The canal stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland.
The towpath, originally used by mules to pull boats, is now a popular trail for hiking and biking.
The C&O Canal was a strategic asset, with both Union and Confederate forces vying for control over its resources.
There are 74 locks along the canal, which were used to raise and lower boats as they traveled.
Located within the park, the Great Falls are a series of rapids and waterfalls offering stunning views and challenging kayaking routes.
The original plan was to extend the canal to Pittsburgh, but financial difficulties halted construction at Cumberland.
The National Park Service has been working to preserve and restore the canal since it was designated a National Historical Park in 1971.
