Cushwa Warehouse
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Williamsport Visitor Center
c. 1800. 205 W. Potomac St., milepost 99.6 of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
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(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson) -
(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson) -
(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson) -
(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson) -
(Photograph by Lisa P. Davidson)
The large, two-story, brick and frame warehouse at Cushwa’s Basin in Williamsport predates construction of the canal. The original frame section served as a flour and feed warehouse. When the canal was completed, the basin created here was one of the few places where a boat could turn around. Williamsport became a busy port for canal traffic, with many boats lining Cushwa’s Basin waiting to unload or load. With the increased business, Victor Cushwa built a brick addition to his warehouse. The Cushwa family dealt in coal, brick, iron, cement, and plaster for many years. Coal was transported inland to Hagerstown from here via the Western Maryland Railroad. The warehouse, painted with “Cushwa’s Brick Coal” on the gable end facing the basin, was acquired by the National Park Service in the 1970s. Currently it serves as a visitor’s center for the C&O Canal Historical Park and is a popular access point for the towpath.
Writing Credits
Coordinator:
Lisa P. Davidson
Catherine C. Lavoie
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