Home on the Canal

by Elizabeth Kytle

Overview

This richly illustrated and engagingly written book tells the story of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from its origins in George Washington's decision to link the nation's new capital with the western frontier; through the beginning of construction in 1828 (fatefully, on the same day that the cornerstone of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was set); to the "completion" of the project. Planned to go as far as Ohio and to take twelve years in construction, the Canal company's ambitions were scaled back after 22 years of toil, $14 million in expense, and the bankruptcy of several contractors took them only as far as Cumberland, at the eastern shed of the Alleghenies.

Describing in detail how the C&O operated in its heyday, Elizabeth Kytle takes the story through the shut-down of operations in 1924, after the Canal was purchased by its competitor, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the efforts that resulted in its preservation as a National Historical Park in 1971. Enriching this narrative, the book also provides oral history accounts of eleven men and women who worked on or grew up along the banks of the Canal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801853289
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	03/01/1996
Series:	Maryland Paperback Bookshelf
Edition description:	20
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Elizabeth Kytle is the author of The Voices of Robby Wilde, Four Cats Make One Pride, and Willie Mae, a first-person biography of a Georgia black woman born around the turn of the century. Maryland Paperback Bookshelf

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A pleasant-to-read history, and delightful and spontaneous reminiscences. A charming essay on 'the magnificent ditch,' for present and future generations to savor.
—Dick Stanton, former superintendent, C&O Canal National Historical Park

Dick Stanton

A pleasant-to-read history, and delightful and spontaneous reminiscences. A charming essay on 'the magnificent ditch,' for present and future generations to savor.

— Dick Stanton, former superintendent, C&O Canal National Historical Park

Editorial Reviews

A gliding packet boat of a book that tours the history of the canal's 92 working years . . . With 54 sepia-toned photographs, Kytle's 'informal history' makes a worthy introduction to the making of the C&O Canal.
—Washington Post

The reminiscences are great . . . the best ever printed relating to the C & O canal.
—Hagerstown Herald-Mail

Elizabeth Kytle's book contains all the research we've never gotten around to doing. She has transformed the mass of assorted political, financial, and economic data into readable chapters that cover the canal from its conception by President George Washington through 1971 when it became a national historic park.
—Potomac Appalachian

From the Publisher

A gliding packet boat of a book that tours the history of the canal's 92 working years . . . With 54 sepia-toned photographs, Kytle's 'informal history' makes a worthy introduction to the making of the C&O Canal.

Washington Post

Elizabeth Kytle's book contains all the research we've never gotten around to doing. She has transformed the mass of assorted political, financial, and economic data into readable chapters that cover the canal from its conception by President George Washington through 1971 when it became a national historic park.

Potomac Appalachian

The reminiscences are great . . . the best ever printed relating to the C & O canal.

Hagerstown Herald-Mail

"A gliding packet boat of a book that tours the history of the canal's 92 working years... With 54 sepia-toned photographs, Kytle's 'informal history' makes a worthy introduction to the making of the C&O Canal."

Washington Post

Tells the story of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, from its origins through its 22-year construction, and describes how the canal operated in its heyday and its role as a National Historical Park. Offers oral history accounts of eleven men and women who worked on or grew up next to the Canal, and b&w photos. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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