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 At its Great Falls, the Potomac River plunges seventy-six feet through a deep gorge. In 1785, George
Washington
formed the Patowmack
Company to built a canal
and locks for navigation around the falls, to facilitate
commerce to the Ohio country frontier. Some of the canal
and a lock have been preserved and can be viewed. The
ruins of Matildaville, a small eighteenth-century village
associated with the hoped of commercial success of the
canal, are also visible. Ruins are located in Great Falls
Park which is owned and operated by the National Park
Service. Free admission but parking fee. This 800-acre
park has views of the falls, 15 miles of hiking trails,
and 5 miles of trails for horseback and biking. Ranger
guided walks. Picnic facilities. Open:
Open daily year round
Admission:
Free
Related Links:
Great Falls National
Park Homepage |
