Research Topic

Canal

An important highway and shipping lane, the C&O Canal was an imperative part of everyday life for many eastern Jefferson County, WV families. Explore its impact from Shepherdstown to Harpers Ferry.

This topic appears in 101 indexed records between 1823 and 1919.
101 Indexed Records
1823 Earliest Record
1919 Latest Record
Harpers Ferry Strongest Location
Explore Records

Explore Records

November 17, 2025

More About the Old Mill [Cement]

The relating of one interesting event in Shepherdstown’s history calls out another. The recent article in the Register concerning the old mill east of town brought to the remembrance of Mr. Beltzhoover that some years ago […]
June 22, 2018

Canal Boating Discouraging

Boating on the canal is reported by the Sharpsburg Record as very discouraging. Some have only made one trip and hardly realized enough to pay their expenses.
June 22, 2018

Fannie Flanagan: SUNK!

Canal Boat Sunk. The canal boat Fannie Flanagan, of Harper’s Ferry, ran on a rock in Big Slack Water, on Saturday, knocking a hole in the bottom. The boat filled with water and sank. Navigation was […]
June 20, 2018

Business on the Canal

Business is firstrate on the C. & O. canal. There is a heavy demand for coal in Washington and every boat available is pressed into service.
May 21, 2020

The C. &. 0. Canal, 1892

The Cumberland News of Monday says: “In a few more days, perhaps a fortnight, signs of life will again be seen on the canal. During the winter months the boat builders along the line and here […]
Time Periods

Time Period Concentration

This topic appears most frequently during the following decades.

1830s 42 records
1890s 13 records
1850s 5 records
1880s 5 records
1840s 4 records
1820s 3 records

Timeline Help

A chronological listing of historical events which may have affected the lives of residents in eastern Jefferson County and surrounding areas.
1Where is this information from?
The vast majority of these accounts are taken from newspaper articles of local papers of the time period.
2How can I apply this information to my own research?

We use this timeline to help us understand the events that may have affected or shaped a person's life. Here are some ideas as to how this timeline may help your further your own research:

  • View events that may have affected a particular ancestor or their family members.
  • Uncover events which an ancestor may have participated in, leading to more sources of information.
  • Discover more about the history and culture of the area in which an ancestor lived.
  • Evaluate possible concerns and popular pastimes of an ancestor.
3I want to view a timeline of events in a specific area.
Click on "Location" in the "Filter by" bar. This will drop down a list of locations which currently have happenings in the timeline. Clicking on a location will show only events related to that specific area. Note that clicking on a county or state will show all happenings related to any location within that county (and any county within a state).
4I want to see timeline items between two years.
Click on "Years" in the "Filter by" bar. This will drop down a form which accepts a starting year and an ending year. Filling out both fields will display timeline items which took place in and between the two years. Filling out only one field will display all timeline items beginning at or ending on the years inputted.