Washington City Canal

Washington City Canal
Washington City Canal in 1851
Specifications
StatusUnderground under Constitution Avenue
History
Date of first use1815
Date closed1871

The Washington City Canal was a canal in Washington, D.C., that operated from 1815 until the mid-1850s. The canal connected the Anacostia River, termed the "Eastern Branch" at that time, to Tiber Creek, the Potomac River, and later the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. The canal fell into disuse during the late 19th century and the city government covered over or filled in various sections in 1871.

The canal's Lockkeeper's House, built in 1837 near the present-day intersection of 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, was preserved and is now the second oldest building on the National Mall.[1][2]

  1. ^ Talia Wiener (July 5, 2018). "181-Year-Old Lockkeeper's Tiny House Ready For Its Next Chapter". NPR.
  2. ^ "Why is there a Lockkeepers House on the Mall?". Mallhistory.org.