On July 4, 1828, President John Quincy Adams broke ground in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. for the 184.5 mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The Canal was then completed in Cumberland and opened on October 10, 1850. The C&O Canal then operated until 1924 as a transportation route primarily hauling coal from Western Maryland. Original structures including locks, lockhouses, and aqueducts serve as reminders of the canal's role as a transportation system. On Allegany County's eastern end of the canal is the impressive 3,118 foot bricklined Paw Paw Tunnel. Today, the canal towpath provides a nearly level, continuous trail through spectacular natural scenery, perfect for hiking and biking.
