Canal Art

Enjoy the tune "C&O Canal Line" written by John Starling, a founding member of the bluegrass band  The Seldom Scene and performed by Eric Brace and Peter Cooper.  The lyrics and chords of this song can be found at this link.  

Note that the Lockkeeper's House on Constitution Avenue NW was built by the Chesapeake & Ohoio (C&O) Canal Company when the C&O Canal was connected to the Washington City Canal?

Here are some beautiful paintings by artist Peter Waddell illustrating City of Washington D.C. as it looked in years past. 

The first painting below illustrates the city in the year Pierre L'Enfant died (1825).  Note the Washington City Canal whose Western Terminus is just south of the White House and whose Navy Yard Terminus and Greenleaf Point Terminus are south of the U.S Capitol on the right-hand side of the painting.  Note also Rock Creek in the far left of the painting.  The C&O Canal, which would terminate near the mouth of Rock Creek, would not begin construction for another three years (1828).  The Lockkeeper's House, whose site is the Western Terminus of the Washington City Canal, would not be constructed for another twelve years (1837). 

"The Village Monumental, Washington 1825" original oil painting by Peter Waddell. Collection of Albert H Small Washingtoniana collection George Washington University Museum Washington DC. 

"The canal in Georgetown 1888" oil painting by Peter Waddell.  Notice the recently-completed Washington Monument in the background and the Foundry building on the right (still in existence).

"The Tow Path" oil painting by Peter Waddell.  Notice the young man standing in the C&O canal, showing how boats could travel in relatively shallow water.