The New Nation
Birthstone of the Nation
C&O Canal Bridge, Georgetown
C&O Canal Bridge, Georgetown
Construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal was begun in 1828. Since much stone was needed, existing and new quarries were used. Most of the seventy-four locks were of granite or red Seneca Creek Sandstone. However, two locks used a great deal of dressed Aquia stone, and two other granite locks had Aquia Creek freestone for coping. Aquia stone was used in the construction of five Georgetown bridges. (Of the five bridges, the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge, which is faced with freestone, is the only one standing today.) The canal, completed in 1850, spanned approximately 185 miles.
