Seneca Stonecutting Mill ruins near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct
The ruins of the Seneca Stonecutting Mill are located along a short trail that branches off from the C&O Canal towpath at Mile 22.8. Park at the Seneca Creek Aqueduct and walk a hundred yards upstream. See the Locks and Lockhouses web page for an interactive location map.
Whenever you see reddish sandstone blocks used in the locks and lockhouses within Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, these came from the Seneca Quarry located on the west side of Seneca Creek. Its history goes back to the late 1700s, and it remained in business until 1900.
To see the ruins of a stonecutting mill, cross over the Seneca Creek Aqueduct and proceed a hundred yards upstream until you come to a trail on your right. Walk down the trail—which turns into a dirt road—for about five minutes. Once at the ruins, hunt around for the well-worn path that leads into the building. There are two paths, but one is more cleared of vegetation than the other.
Path to the Seneca Stonecutting Mill ruins near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The stonecutting mill was built in 1837. The building is actually within Seneca Park, a county park, but it’s neat and close enough to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath to warrant a side trip.
Seneca Stonecutting Mill ruins near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Seneca Stonecutting Mill ruins near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Seneca Stonecutting Mill ruins near the Seneca Creek Aqueduct in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
On the way to the mill you will see a pond off to your left through the trees (you will also see it if you continue upstream on the towpath). I originally thought this was part of the quarry, its deep pit filled in with rain water. However, this is not the case. This is a basin built to hold canal boats. For a time, Seneca was the farthest upstream from Georgetown that the C&O Canal reached, so boats needed a place to load and unload when entering and exiting the canal.
Canal boat holding basin near Seneca Creek, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
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Last updated on June 29, 2024
