Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1953-03-26

dustry. There is, also, on the Vir-
GINA side of Great Falls, a large
and diversified amusement and
picnic park, patronized mainly by
local Virginians.
Almost anywhere along the
shore line at Great Falls is to be
found excellent fishing. Here you
will find a combination of fresh
and salt water fish, the former
predominating. 1t is, of course,
impossible to anchor boat out in
the actual current; it is also a
very foolhardy and dangerous un-
dertaking.
Below Great Falls, within the
District of Columbia, is impounded
in huge reservoirs, millions of gall
Ions of Potomac's waters, easily
piped from Great Falls because of
the excellent gravity flow from
this high point, The Potomac
furnishes the major part of Wash
ington's water requirements.
The tremendous water power
potentiality of Great Falls has
never been fully utilized, although
several attempts have been made
to do so. Believe it or not, but
Great Falls has been favorably
compared to Niagara Falls in cleo
trio water-power possibilities.
lust why this powerful natural
energy has never been capitalized
upon is a mystery to engineers
who deplore the fact that this al
most incalcuable power load has
been going to waste.
The old tavern which once
housed most of the canal COM
pany's employees is located at
Great Falls; it is now used as of
fees of the National Park Service
If the Department of the Interior;
the front part of this large build
ing is an historical museum hous-
ing the relies and mementos of
the old canal, and displaying on it's
walls factual as we'll as pictorial
record of it's inception and method
If operation. Most of the muse
um's display has been contributed
through the courtesy of the Mont
gomery County Historical Society.
In this interesting and informa-
tive place one can readily form a
mental picture of this passive,
waterway giant which, from 1927
70 1886 (when it was bought by
the United States Government)
carried Georges Creek coal in
oonderous boat loads from Cum
berland to Georgetown, D. c., re-
turning, lightly-laden, against the
current, with many of the products
and comforts of eastern civiliza-
ton. There were several hundred
If these canal boats; each had a
maximum tonnage of from 100
to 100 tons, or two extra large,
nresent day railroad gondolas.
But this is to be another Beauty
At Your Back Door" effort we
shall try to set down at a later
date.
No report on Great Falls would
be complete without, at least, a
passing mention of one of its
natural resources, gold, cleaning
gold. In 1864, this precious metal
was discovered at Cropley, a
couple of good stone throws from
the Potomac cataract. And, in
one of the tiny rivulets nearby. a
farmer picked up a nugget the
size of a hens egg and assayed
for over $500. However, al
though heroic land COSTLY efforts
were made to drill a shaft (which,
incidently was done) and although
large quantities of gold-bearing
ore was brought to the surface,
It was finally decided that it was
impossible to mine it in profitable
amounts, and the enterprise was
abandoned. Afterwards, several
more or less lethargic attempts
were made at other points close
to Great Falls to mine gold; all,
however, were unsuccessful.
We were at Great Falls just
ofter the last two inch snowfall.
The air off the Potomac was win
try - raw searching. Yet, there
were at least twenty cars from all
aver. parked close to the museum.
On the canal towpath, and on the
footpath leading to the Falls, we
met at least 25 people who were
sightseeing, and, to top it off, at
enc Of the picnic tables lat
premium in summer) we observed
n family of three eating their
lunch of cold chicken, potato salad,
and so forth. 1t gave us the
shivers. But such is the YEAR
round popularity of Great Falls.
II is over 500 miles to Niagara
Falls. Maybe YOU can't make it..
Rut don't feel bad. Why not try
Great Falls? It's only six miles
from Rockville. Md. You could
essilv walk there If YOU had tn.
And it would be worth it. for it's
as beautiful. as spectacular, as
spine-tingling, as breath-takine.
ennallv az we-insnrinp az ita