
City of Alexandria
Canal lock and wall at 425 Montgomery St.
This Sunday, Jan. 19, Alexandria Archeology and Carr Companies will hold a Free, One-Day Viewing of the newly discovered Canal Wall at the construction site at 425 Montgomery Street.
The canal was uncovered during excavation for a new building. The Carr Companies is working on replacing an old, three-story office building with a new, taller residential building at the corner of Montgomery and Pitt streets in Old Town North.
"The Alexandria Canal was a significant feature on the city’s landscape from the 1840s into the 20th century,” according to Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist. “To have the opportunity to excavate, study, and record the massive stone lock and basin walls and the wooden floor is exciting.”
The viewing will be from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Visitors should meet at the Old Town North Farmer's Market, N. Royal Street, and Montgomery Street, Alexandria, to begin their tour. Archaeologists will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.
According to city historians, historic maps depict the fourth lock and third basin of the Alexandria Canal within the 900 block of North Pitt Street. The Alexandria Canal fully opened in 1845 for trade and navigation, linking Alexandria to the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal at Georgetown. Ultimately, railroad transportation eclipsed the canal system and it was abandoned in 1886.
The series of locks at the south end of the canal raised and lowered canal boats by approximately 40 feet. The archaeological excavations have revealed nearly the entire length of the north wall, portions of the south wall, and the floor of the lock and basin, which were well-preserved under feet of fill and previous development.