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History of The Grand Old Ditch
Below is the timeline of events that eventually lead to the creation of The Chesapeake And Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
- 1774 - George Washington introduces a bill in the Virginia House of Burgesses to build a series of canals around the Potomac's five worst obstacles.
- 1784 - Maryland endorses George Washington's canal plan.
- 1785 - The Potowmack Canal Company was created. George Washington was chosen as the companies first president.
- 1802 - George Washington's canal plan was completed.The five segments of the "Washington Canal" was operated until 1828 when the construction of the C&O Canal began.
- 1823 November 5 - The first C&O Canal Convention was held in Washington DC.
- 1824 January 27 - The C&O Canal Company was chartered by the state of Virginia.
- 1825 - The C&O Canal Company charter Act was confirmed by the state of Maryland and the U.S. Congress.
- 1826 - The C&O Canal Company charter Act was confirmed by Pennsylvania.
- 1828 July 4 - C&O Canal Construction began.
- 1831 - First section of canal to open. Georgetown to Seneca.
- 1832 January - Courts ruled in favor of the canal's appeal for right of way along Point of Rocks, in Frederick County Maryland.
- 1834 - Second section of canal to open. Seneca to Harpers Ferry.
- 1839 - Third section of canal to open. Harpers Ferry to Hancock.
- 1850 - Final section of canal to open. Hancock to Cumberland.
- 1861 - War comes to the C&O Canal - A Special section of historic events.
- 1862 September - Robert E. Lee's army crossed the Potomac River at White's Ford (Mile Marker 41) to open the Antietam Campaign.
- 1862 October - James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart Crossed the Potomac river into Virginia at White's ford (Mile Marker 41) after a raid on Chambersburg.
- 1863 June - During the campaign at Gettysburg, Union troops used the canal to transport pontoons to Conrad and Edward's ferries to cross the potomac only to be almost totally wiped out at Ball's bluff.
- 1864 July - Confederate General Jubal Early crossed the Potomac river into Virginia at White's ford (Mile Marker 41) after a raid on the Capital.
- 1889 June 2 - Highest flood waters recorded, 40.2 ft, Left the canal in ruins. The C&O Canal Company did not have the funds to rebuild. The B&O Railroad bought out the canal before foreclosure.
- 1891 - Canal Towage Company established.
- 1902 - The B&O Railroad begins operation of the canal.
- 1924 March - Extensive flood damage closed the canal. After draining the canal, it was abandoned.
- 1938 - Baltimore and Ohio Railroad turns the C&O Canal property over to the U.S. Government in lieu of a $2 million debt.
- 1954 March 20 - William O. Douglas and the Washington Post editorial staff along with Dr. Olaus Murie, president of the Wilderness Society, Sigurd Olson, president of the National Parks Association and 51 other experts in ecology, geography, geology, history, mammalogy, and ornithology began a walk of the entire canal raising support that helped block a proposal to turn the canal into a 2 lane scenic parkway.
- 1957 - C&O Canal Association is formed to make recommendations and draft plans for preserving and protecting the canal.
- 1961 - C&O Canal was given the status of National Monument.
- 1971 January - 8 President Richard Nixon signs legislation creating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
- 1977 - The C&O Canal is officially dedicated to William O. Douglas for his work in saving the park.
