C&O Canal – Georgetown section and visitor center

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was constructed beginning in 1828 to connect the Chesapeake Bay with inland markets and was an active commercial canal through the mid-19th century before railroads displaced much traffic. The Georgetown reach of the canal includes original masonry lock remnants, a preserved towpath, and interpretive exhibits at the C&O Canal Visitor Center. The visitor center provides historical context for the canal's engineering, labor history, and its role in Washington-area commerce during the 19th century. The canal corridor is now managed as the C&O Canal National Historical Park and is a preserved example of early American transportation infrastructure.