The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia. The park was established as a National Monument in 1961 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in order to preserve the neglected remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal along the Potomac River along with many of the original canal structures. The canal and towpath trail extends from Georgetown, Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland, a distance of 184.5 miles. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal operated from 1828 to 1924 and served primarily as a means to transport coal from western Maryland to Washington DC. Now it provides a way for hikers and bikers to see the beautiful Potomac River Valley .

See also

• C&O Canal
• Olmsted Island
• Bear Island
• Potomac River
• Great Falls of the Potomac River
• Billy Goat Trail

External links

• Official National Park Service Site

National Historical Parks of the United States