Lockhouse 12 - Great Falls Tavern Youth T-Shirt

The Great Falls Tavern is the most popular canal location along the entire Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

The back section of The Great Falls Tavern is Lockhouse 12. The very first locktender knowing that he had a special location because of the falls, convinced the Canal Company to build an inn and allow him to run it.

The inn became a destination for people that lived in Washington DC. They could hop a packet boat in Georgetown, 14 miles away, and be here in 6 to 8 hours. It was the perfect weekend getaway! So popular that in the early 1900s, Washington Railway and Electric Company even ran a trolley line between Washington DC and Great Falls to make it more convenient.

Today, it is used as one of the National Park’s Visitors Centers and the only location along the length of the Canal that collects National Park admission fees. The Canal through this area is normally watered, but in 2020 they did not water it.

Copyright 2021 Susan Rissi Tregoning...

I'm a travel photographer that enjoys photographing United States architecture, nature, and transportation. As the 8th photographer in 4 generations of my family, I don't remember a time when photography was not part of my life. By the time I was five years old, I was standing on a stool in the darkroom, helping my dad develop pictures. It was my job to transfer the photos from the hypo to the water bath. I went to college for interior design. After I graduated, I had a long successful career as an art buyer and designer for a large home furnishings company. In 2006, I had a significant life change. My husband became a medical traveler, and I decided to put my career on hold to tag along. In the process, I found my roots again. What...