You can now create your own itineraries to guide your C&O Canal exploration, or you can copy one of ours! Learn more about Itineraries.
Patapsco Bridge and Iron Works built the present road bridge crossing, Bollman Bridge, with Wendall Bollman as their chief, in 1879. Bollman was a self-taught engineer who started at the early age of 15. Learn more.
Patapsco Bridge and Iron Works built the present road bridge crossing, Bollman Bridge, with Wendall Bollman as their chief, in 1879. Bollman was a self-taught engineer who started at the early age of 15. He pioneered the “Bollman truss” design, which was used for as many as 100 bridges, including the Civil War bridge at Harper’s Ferry.
One of the oldest standing iron railroad bridges in the United States, the Bollman bridge is a testament to the engineer’s skill. The bridge is one of the few surviving by Bollman, and though it sat neglected from 1915 until the 1960s, it has been now been updated and spruced up in a historically-accurate manner. It was painted red and white, and a wooden walkway was added to the span. The bridge is in the C&O Canal National Historical Park and is maintained by the town of Williamsport.
We know that to preserve something, you need to experience it, so we are proud to provide support to the C&O National Historical Park as their official philanthropic partner.
Please visit the National Park Service website for the following information:
For more information and nearby places to stay or grab a bite to eat, please visit our local tourism partners:
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There has been a lapse in appropriations, and a shutdown of the federal government is currently in effect. Much of the C&O Canal National Historical Park remains accessible to the public, however, the National Park Service is not able to operate as normal. Scheduled C&O Canal Trust events and Canal Quarters reservations will continue as scheduled.
Learn more about what the shutdown means for the C&O Canal National Historical Park.