Farming along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 1828-1971 (- A Study of Agricultural Sites)

The report that follows reveals the depth and richness of the agricultural history along the C&O Canal, and the close interrelationship between the canal and surrounding farms. Settlement along the fertile bottomlands of the Potomac River preceded construction of the canal by many years. As a result, the new canal passed through a well established agrarian landscape; some inhabitants were hostile to the canal due to property damage it would cause, others embraced it, while a substantial number fought to receive the highest monetary compensation that they could from the Canal Company. In sum, this research has uncovered an interesting and significant aspect of the canal's history that had not been addressed previously.