GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY Patowmack Canal and Locks (Great Falls Section) Historic Structures Report — Architectural Data Section

A. HISTORICAL DATA

The "Patowmack Company Canal and Locks Historic Structures Report, Historic Data Section" was authored by Ricardo Torres-Reyes, National Park Service, and published in May 1970. Although it contained a very comprehensive overview of the Great Falls section, its main concentration was on the historic period 1785-1828. As repairs have been made to various portions of the canal since the ca. 1828 period, it seems appropriate that the historical data be updated into the twentieth century and to the present day.

B. ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS

There are a total of nine research documents that have been prepared relative to archeological investigations at the Great Falls section of the canal. Of these, only three dealt with the canal proper, while the remainder concentrated on other structures within the general vicinity. (For complete list of documents see bibliography).

The most extensive document (Comer) centers around the canal from the inlet structure to the holding basin. The other research concentrated its efforts on the lock gates at Lock 1.

C. PHOTOGRAPHS

The earliest canal photographs found to date come from The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 13, 1893. These and photographs taken during the early twentieth century do not show enough detail to help in the interpretation of canal features.

D. MAPS/DOCUMENTS

Several early maps/sketches are important to show the location of the canal and the elevations which necessitated the construction of the five locks.

In 1974, 1975, and 1982 the Historic American Engineering Record produced a total of four drawings which included site plans of the entire length of the canal, and wall elevations of Locks 1 and 2.

During 1977 Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern (NPS Contract CX 2000—7—0055) produced a document that investigated the feasibility of rewatering a portion of the canal and provided recommendations for flood protection, stabilization of the lock structures, and preservation of the entire canal length.

The "Patowmack Canal Preservation Alternatives" report produced in May 1985 has a number of schematic illustrations which help to explain the various alternatives.

The available maps and drawings have been included in appendixes I, J, K, and L.