Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, often called the C&O Canal, is a historic waterway built in the 19th century to transport coal, goods, and passengers along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Maryland. It stretches about 184 miles and includes locks and mule-powered boats to navigate changing elevations. Although it was mainly used in the 1800s, the canal was eventually replaced by railroads. Today, it is a preserved national historic site, offering visitors scenic trails, wildlife, and a glimpse into 19th-century engineering and transportation history.