C&O Home  GAP Home
The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage
Georgetown/Washington Bethesda MD Potomac MD Seneca MD Poolesville MD Leesburg VA White's Ferry MD Point of Rocks MD Dickerson MD Brunswick MD Harpers Ferry WV Shepherdstown WV Sharpsburg MD Williamsport MD Downsville MD Big Pool MD Hancock MD Little Orleans MD Paw Paw WV Oldtown MD Cumberland MD Great Allegheny Passage C&O Canal Towpath Merchandise C & O Canal Towpath Trail Map
switch to GAP map Cumberland MD Frostburg MD Meyersdale PA Garrett PA Rockwood PA Markleton PA Ohiopyle PA Connellsville PA Perryopolis PA West Newton PA Buena Vista PA Confluence PA Harnedsville PA Dawson PA Smithton PA C&O Canal Towpath Sutersville PA Boston PA McKeesport PA Homestead PA Pittsburgh PA Great Allegheny Passage Merchandise Great Allegheny Passage Map
switch to C&O map

Civil War History along C&O
Go to Forum
Jim from Washington DC on 5/4/2020 4:59:07 PM:
I am a writer in Washington DC and regularly bike sections of the towpath from Georgetown to White's Ferry and beyond. I am dismayed at how little signage on the Civil War history of the canal there is in those sections. I imagine it's just as bad farther north too. But I've been giving talks and have an article pending about what happened in 1863 between Great Falls, to the south, and Lock 24 or Seneca Creek to the north. There is signage but it's both wrong and in the wrong place. Anyway, I did a presentation for the Montgomery County History Society in April 2020 and put it online. Anyone riding that section might want to watch it. Not only was the towpath constantly patrolled by Union cavalry, but also on the night of June 27, 1863, 5,000 Confederate cavalry rode where you are riding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aos39Vx6ZEk&t=41s
 
JK on 5/4/2020 7:34:35 PM:
This sounds like a fantastic Eagle Scout project to add proper Civil War History signage.
 
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 5/5/2020 9:03:51 PM:
Jim:

Congratulations on your excellent research on the location of the Rowser's Ford crossing. I'm always amazed at historians' ability to find and correlate various sources of historical records to craft or correct the underlying story. Having ridden between Pittsburgh and DC a few times, people often inquire as to how to prepare for this ride. Aside from the obvious bike mechanical and logistics issues to make the trip, I strongly suggest they spend a some time beforehand to read about this histories of both the GAP and the C&O Towpath. The trip is certainly more meaningful when you know those histories and find various references thereto along the way. More historical signs along the way would only enhance the experience.

Thanks for an excellent presentation.
 
FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!
More info: C&O Home C&O Map Trip Planner Travel Timeline Forum Towns & Services Mileage Chart Events Trail Merchandise Search Advertise Contact Us
 
By using this website, you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
how this website uses cookies
This information may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
© Copyright 2024 BikeCandO. All rights reserved.
BikeCandO and BikeCandO.com are registered trademarks.