This amazing canal has a history nearly as old as our nation.
Thought it might seem odd, the idea started with our first President.
Following the Revolution, George Washington was full of ideas
And creating a passage was between the Great Lakes and the East coast
Was one that he pursued with a passion.

He foresaw a way of moving with greater speed
Instead of going across land, which was slow and quite dangerous,
Washington cleverly devised a way to move through the water
But it was not a project that could be undertaken lightly.
A long-term plan and determination was what the project would need.

That was why in 1785 Washington started the Potowmack Company
With the primary purpose of creating five new canals
Designed to miss waterfalls that would impede the progress of boats.
Once complete, boars and rafts could go all the way to Georgetown
Although going up river left travelers very weary.

From this venture the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was born
And around that canal many paths were made for people to trek
A marvelous place for picnics and hiking
The kind of activities that are very much enjoyed today.
The path today is well traveled and pedestrian worn.

A boat on the canal, circa 1900-1924

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