Like the discovery of the ships in Old Town years ago, new development on the waterfront has turned up some fascinating local history.
In a release, the Office of Historic Alexandria said archeologists will offer tours of the newly uncovered Alexandria canal lock and basin near the 900 block of N. Pitt Street Old Town North. According to the release, historic maps showed a fourth waterfront lock at the north end of Old Town, part of the Alexandria Canal that opened in 1845 and linked up to the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal in Georgetown.
Railroad transportation eventually eclipsed the canal system and it was abandoned in 1886.
“The Alexandria Canal was a significant feature on the city’s landscape from the 1840s into the 20th century,” said Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist, in the release “To have the opportunity to excavate, study, and record the massive stone lock and basin walls and the wooden floor is exciting.”
The release said the canal was discovered by archeologists from Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., who were on-site to monitor ground disturbance during development.
“These series of locks at the south end of the canal raised and lowered canal boats by approximately 40 feet,” the release said. “The archaeological excavations have revealed nearly the entire length of the north wall, portions of the south wall, and the floor of the lock and basin, which were well-preserved under feet of fill and previous development.”
The tour will meet at the Old Town North Farmer’s Market (901 N. Royal Street). The Office of Historic Alexandria will host tours on Sunday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The tour is free and no registration is required.
