Guide To Historical Articles by Karen Gray

For more than two decades, historian Karen Gray contributed to Along The Towpath a series of articles that are an important resource for understanding the past of the C&O Canal.  The guide below gives the titles of these articles and links to the newsletter issues in which they appear.  (This website also contains a complete archive of past issues.). Readers should understand that the scope of many of the articles listed extends beyond the categories in which they are grouped.  They should also consider that some of the earlier articles may contain inaccuracies, a reflection of the evolving nature of scholarly research.

• Read more about Karen’s work.

Creating the canal

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal – The First Quarter-Millennium – A summary of the efforts to foster trade between the colonies and the western territories. December 1999

Pre-Construction Surveys for the C&O Canal – Early surveys to assess the feasibility of a navigable canal route along the Potomac. June 2004

The Battles over the Eastern Terminus and the Naming of the Canal: Part I – The story of how the final location of the eastern terminus and the name of the canal were established. June 2012
The Battles over the Eastern Terminus and the Naming of the Canal: Part II September 2012

Charles Fenton Mercer and the Birth of the C&O Canal – The first president of the C&O Canal Company, part one. June 2001
Charles Fenton Mercer and the Birth of the C&O Canal – The second part of the story of the first president of the C&O Canal Company. December 2001

A summary of engineer Charles B. Fisk’s work on the construction of the canal from 1828 to 1837. December 2002

When Construction Faltered: 1842–1850 – Construction faltered and a change in leadership. June 2020

Completing the “Fifty Mile Section” and James M. Coale, President of the C&O Canal Company in 1850 – Two articles in one issue marking the 150th anniversary of the completion of the C&O Canal. December 2000

Finishing the Last Fifty Miles – The struggles to complete the canal from Dam 6 to Cumberland. September 2015

Engineering

Never Underestimate a Culvert – A discussion of the types of culverts. June 1999

A Lock is Not Just a Lock – A discussion of the various lock designs used on the C&O Canal. June 2003

The Complex World of Locks, Gates, and Dams – Outlines the characteristics of these structures and where they were used on the C&O Canal. June 2006

The Georgetown Canal Incline: Its Ups & Downs – The colorful story of the structure built to supplement the inadequate delivery capabilities of the eastern terminus of the canal. June 2008

C&O Canal Engineering: The Early Years – The early canal engineering of the C&O Canal and the people behind it. June 2010

The Remarkable Original Canal Engineering at Big Slackwater – An overview of the 17 structures that support the Big Slackwater canal section. March 2013

The Canal Prism: Variable and Dangerous – A description of how the canal prism is not just a simple “ditch” but is a major structure. June 2013

Managing Canal Water Levels in the Operating Era – A summary of the various structures that provided water to the canal and controlled the level of water. June 2014

Dam 6 and its Associated Structures – Outline of the key structure visited encountered during the 2014 Heritage Hike. September 2014

The Collapse of the Conococheague Wall: In Search of the Truth – An account of the damage to the Conococheague Aqueduct in 1920 and efforts to understand if the story is valid. December 2017

Canal Engineering from Dam 3 to Harpers Ferry – A study of the structures below Dam 3 in support of the 2018 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2018

Lift Lock 31: Not Your Ordinary Lock – The story of a unique lock visited during the 2020 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2020

Operations

C&O Canal Freighters – A discussion of the design and construction of the various classes of C&O Canal freighter boats. December 2006

Passenger Service on the C&O Canal – Packet boat service through the C&O Canal era. June 2007

Steamboats on the C&O Canal – Steamboat use on the canal as an alternate to mule drawn boats. December 2007

Lessons from Those Boating on the Canal – Accounts from interviews with persons who lived near or worked on the canal. December 2013

Managing Canal Water Levels in the Operating Era – A summary of the various structures that provided water to the canal and controlled the level of water. June 2014

The Era of River Boat Navigation on the C&O Canal: 1830–1850 – A discussion of the first of three eras of boat navigation. December 2014

C&O Canal Boats and Navigation: 1851–1870 – A continuation of the account of boat activity on the canal. March 2015

C&O Canal Boats and Boating 1870–1889: Part I – Boat types and experiences on during a busy time in the canal operating era. June 2015
C&O Canal Boats and Boating 1870–1889: Part II – A continuation of the June 2015 article. December 2015

C&O Canal Boats and Boating 1850–1889 – Details of the history of canal boat operations after the canal reached Cumberland. March 2016

1902–1904: The Canal Towage Company Formation and Railroad Interests in the Canal – The continued struggles of the canal to remain in operation. September 2016

1904–1923: The Last Two Decades of Canal Navigation – The final days of canal operation. December 2016

The Collapse of the Conococheague Wall: In Search of the Truth – An account of the damage to the Conococheague Aqueduct in 1920 and efforts to understand if the story is valid. December 2017

In the Beginning: Navigation on the Canal in 1830–1831 – A look at the earliest days of C&O Canal navigation. December 2018

The Canal in News Reports: 1847–1872 – Reports of canal operations and events that were found through William Bauman’s research. March 2019

Who Owns the Boat? – A look at boat ownership during the 1874-78 and 1891-1923 eras of canal operation. June 2019

Governance and legal issues

The Canal Company’s Financial Crisis: 1838–1842 – A summary of one of many financial crises in the canal’s history. December 2019

1889: After the Flood – The canal was a “total wreck” after the 1889 flood. December 2020

1889–1890: Two Courts and a New Railroad – Efforts to restore the canal after the 1889 flood and an attempt to convert the canal to railroad use. March 2021

1890 Part A: The Court Battles Begin – Canal bond holder efforts to take control of the canal and restore operations. June 2021

1890 to 1906 and Beyond: Extending the Trusteeship – A review of the legal actions extending the trusteeship and the appeals court responses. September 2021

The Trusteeship’s First Years: 1891 to 1906 – The struggles of the canal to stay in business and operate under trusteeship management. December 2021

1903 and the Beginning of the Canal Towage Company – The Canal Towage Company was incorporated on February 23, 1903. March 2022

The Trusteeship: 1906–1938 – Trusteeship ownership continued during the last days and after the end of canal operations. June 2022

People and communities

The Mysterious Grave at Lock 69 – The story of a grave marker along the towpath near Oldtown. December 2003 

Thomas Cresap and Oldtown – An account of a colorful character named Thomas Cresap, who was a central figure in the Oldtown area. March 2004.

The C&O Canal at Harpers Ferry – The history of the C&O Canal’s relationship to Harpers Ferry. September 2013 

Williamsport History and Canal Mysteries – History of Williamsport, the most successful port on the C&O Canal. March 2014. 

Arthur Pue Gorman, C&O Canal Company President – The story of Arthur Pue Gorman, who served as the C&O Canal Company president starting in 1872. June 2005.

The Irish Contractor Michael Byrne – A brief account of Michael Byrne, an important contractor involved with numerous structures along the canal, including the Monocacy Aqueduct. December 2008.

Lessons from Those Boating on the Canal – Accounts from interviews with persons who lived near or worked on the canal. December 2013.

1865–1867: Restoring the Multi-City Eastern Terminus – The C&O Canal, with the Washington City Canal and the Alexandria Canal, supported operations in three cities. September 2020.

Closure and afterwards

The 1954 Douglas-Washington Post Hike – An account of the famous 1954 hike. March 2009

The Battle to Save the Canal, Part I: 1938–1954 – The history of public support to preserve the C&O Canal. June 2009

The Battle to Save the Canal, Part II: Summarizing the Three-Decade Journey, 1938 to 1968 – Further details of the canal’s progression from the B&O Railroad sell-off to the public law making the C&O Canal a national historical park. December 2011

The C&O Canal Trusteeship 1890–1901 – The financial struggles of the C&O Canal Company after the devastating 1889 flood. June 2016

The Boatless Canal: 1924 to 1936 – The period of the canal leading to Government ownership after it shut down. June 2017

The Selling of the C&O Canal: 1936–1938 – Efforts to sell the canal after the significant damage of the 1936 flood. September 2017

1938–1945: Selling the Canal and Closing the Canal Cases – The final chapter of canal legal activity. September 2022

Geographic descriptions

Many of these articles were written in preparation for C&O Canal Association hikes.

Walking through History Along the Canal’s First 10 Miles – A summary of the history and features of the lower 10 miles of the canal for the 2001 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2001

History and Engineering Along the Route of the Douglas Hike – A summary of the canal from Violettes Lock downstream to Carderock. March 2003

The Second Watered Section of the Canal: Miles 22.12 to 62.27 – An overview of the route of the 2017 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2017

Whites Ferry to Seneca – Structures and history along the route of the 2008 Douglas Hike. March 2008

Seneca to Whites Ferry – An overview of the structures and history along the route of the 2012 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2012

Seneca to Whites Ferry – An overview of the route of the 2018 Fall Heritage Hike. September 2018

Dargan Bend to Brunswick – An overview of the rich history of the canal above Brunswick, past Harpers Ferry and up to Dargan Bend. March 2005

Lift Lock 31: Not Your Ordinary Lock – The story of a unique lock visited during the 2020 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2020

The C&O Canal at Harpers Ferry – The history of the C&O Canal’s relationship to Harpers Ferry. September 2013

Locks 34 to 38 – An overview of the route of the 2007 Heritage Hike, from the Harpers Ferry area to the Shepherdstown area. September 2007

Canal Engineering from Dam 3 to Harpers Ferry – A study of the structures below Dam 3 in support of the 2018 Douglas Memorial Hike. March 2018

Shepherdstown to Dam 4: History and Engineering – Information related to the route of the 2019 Fall Heritage Hike. September 2019

Fort Frederick to Williamsport: This Walk Has It All – An overview of the 2001 Heritage Hike route. September 2001

Fort Frederick: Where the Canal and the 18th Century Meet – A brief history of the Fort Frederick and an overview of the canal in the area. September 2006

Hancock to Fort Frederick – The many important structures between Hancock and Fort Frederick encountered during the 2008 Heritage Hike. September 2008

Fort Frederick to Hancock – An article featuring the highlights of the 2011 Heritage Hike. September 2011

This is the first article entitled Accompanied by the Past. A history of the Hancock area for use as a companion to the 2002 Heritage Hike. September 2002

Highlights Along the 2009 Heritage Hike Route – A summary of the C&O Canal and the Western Maryland Railway between Hancock and Pearre. September 2009

Dam 6 and its Associated Structures – Outline of the key structure visited encountered during the 2014 Heritage Hike. September 2014

From Pearre to the Western Maryland Trestle at 143.4 – A discussion of the C&O Canal and Western Maryland Railway along the path of the 2004 Heritage Hike. September 2004

Town Creek to the Paw Paw Parking Area – An overview of the history and engineering along the route of the 2003 Heritage Hike. September 2003

Spring Gap to Cumberland – An overview of the history along 2002 Douglas Memorial Hike route. March 2002
Spring Gap to Cumberland – The history and features of the 2010 Douglas Hike route. March 2010

Resources

The Sources of C&O Canal and National Historical Park History – Information on important sources of C&O Canal history. June 2018

Karen Gray at Catoctin Creek – Photo courtesy of the C&O Canal NHP, National Park Service

Most of us think of history as about the past. And it is. But it never gives us back the real past and in truth our history is nothing more than what we think we know about some piece of the past at a given time, based on our sources at that time. As such, history changes and this is especially true in the present when, to an increasing extent and at an increasing speed, knowledge in almost every area of historical study has been changing and growing. This growth is due to the flood of new data and materials that subsequently require critical and scholarly analysis and interpretation.

Karen Gray