Of the eleven aqueducts along the 184.5 miles of the C&O Canal, only the Catoctin Aqueduct is collapsed, unattended to, and spanned by a visually intrusive military surplus steel bridge.

Also known as the "Most Beautiful Aqueduct" and the "Crooked Aqueduct," the Catoctin Aqueduct spanned Catoctin Creek for 139 years at the 51.5-mile mark of the canal towpath. Here, at Catoctin Creek in Frederick County, Maryland, the C&O Canal and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad -- each charging west to Ohio -- first competed in 1832 for the crossing of this major tributary of the Potomac River.

This unique structure, built from 1832 to 1834 of hand-cut stone and finished with scrolled wrought iron railing, suffered from neglect during the twentieth century. In 1972 it was severely damaged by Hurricane Agnes, and two of its three beautiful and unique arches collapsed in October 1973. Today, one arch, both abutments, and each of the four wing walls remain intact. Unfortunately, all are partially hidden from casual view by the "temporary" steel bridge that spans the towpath over the remains of what many consider to be the canal's most beautiful aqueduct. With the passing of each storm, the cut stones of the aqueduct that have fallen into the creek are washed farther downstream towards the Potomac River, where each will be lost forever.

The Catoctin Aqueduct Project partnership is a grassroots organization now forming to facilitate the rebuilding of this beautiful and endangered structure. Partners in the project are concerned citizens; the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park; The C&O Canal Association, Inc.; The Community Foundation of Frederick County, MD, Inc.; the Catoctin Center for Regional Studies; and numerous small businesses and canal-centric folks interested in the preservation of our historic C&O Canal structures.

The point of contact for the Catoctin Aqueduct Project is Dr. George Lewis at george@catoctinstation.com or 301.834.4044. Financial support for the Catoctin Aqueduct Project may be sent via checks to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Please write "Catoctin Aqueduct Project" on the check's memo line. To make a contribution using Visa or MasterCard, visit the Community Foundation's website at www.cffredco.org and click on "Contribute" in the upper right-hand corner of the home page. All check or on-line contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Back to "Canal Mileposts"