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The Cushwa Warehouse was constructed circa 1800. By the late 1830s, the warehouse's main commodity was coal which was sold in the local economy and for transport down to Georgetown where there was a huge demand. The building has seen multiple floods, recessions and even Civil War battles during its time on the side of the canal.
In this photograph the coal is being lifted by a steam loader from the boat into waiting horse-drawn wagons, presumably for local use. DeFrehns chair factory is possibly the building across the basin.
99.72 Mile
NPS File 1149
Boat basins along the canal served as areas in which business between the canal boats and industry along the canal could occur without obstructing the flow of traffic along the canal. They were also places in which canal boats could dock for the night or wait for a turn through a lock or across an aqueduct. Many industries had access to boat basins such as at Antietam Village, Millers Saw Mill, Cushwa Warehouse, and many others.