Central Nova News

The public will have the opportunity to view remains of an Alexandria Canal lock and basin on Sunday, January 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Old Town North. This discovery was made by archaeologists from Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., a Davey company. The City of Alexandria and Carr Properties are facilitating the public viewing from the sidewalk, regardless of weather conditions. Visitors should gather at the Old Town North Farmer's Market at N. Royal Street and Montgomery Street in Alexandria for the tour, where archaeologists will be present to provide information and answer questions.

Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist, highlighted the significance of this find: “The Alexandria Canal was a significant feature on the city’s landscape from the 1840s into the 20th century,” she said. “To have the opportunity to excavate, study, and record the massive stone lock and basin walls and the wooden floor is exciting.”

Historic maps show that this site includes the fourth lock and third basin of the Alexandria Canal within the 900 block of North Pitt Street. The canal opened fully in 1845 for trade and navigation purposes, connecting Alexandria with Georgetown via the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal. However, with advancements in railroad transportation, it was abandoned in 1886.

Carr Properties has contracted archaeological work under a Resource Management Plan approved by Alexandria's archaeology division as part of their Archaeological Protection Code. This code mandates developers to involve archaeologists during all ground-disturbing activities to ensure proper handling of any historic features discovered.

Alison Wertzler, Vice President of Design and Construction at Carr Properties expressed enthusiasm about sharing this historical discovery: “We appreciate Alexandria’s rich history and the importance of this archaeological discovery,” she said. “We are excited to share this piece of history with the public.”

The excavation has uncovered nearly all of the north wall's length along with parts of both south wall and floor structures that were preserved beneath layers of fill material due to previous developments.

While visitors cannot access active construction areas during their visit on January 19th; key elements such as canal lock walls can still be viewed safely from sidewalks nearby where parking may be limited but alternative transport options like walking or biking are encouraged alongside using DASH services or parking facilities close-by garages/lots available around town center vicinity.

Further details regarding ongoing efforts related specifically towards preserving these artifacts alongside other projects managed through partnership between various stakeholders involved including those responsible directly overseeing implementation aspects tied back into broader community engagement initiatives led locally can always found online via official website link provided below: alexandriava.gov/Archaeology