The area itself dates back about 10,000 the first known people to live in the area were the Paleo-Indians. Later on the region was a meeting place for the Powhatan Confederacy and Iroquois Nation, along with other Native Americans. In the mid-17th century, England’s King Charles II gave Great Falls and other local lands to seven Englishmen. About 20 years later Lord Fairfax designated 12,588 acres for himself. This would be passed on to other family members over the years, then eventually being sold off to others.
George Washington envisioned a series of canals to ease travel through the Potomac to open up trade with the Ohio Valley. The Patowmack Company was established in 1784 to construct this framework. It was completed in 1802. The canal system ran for 26 years and was 190+ miles long. source
Maryland Street Address
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA 22102
The Maryland side of Great Falls is part of C&O National Park
The street address for the Maryland side is:
11710 MacArthur Blvd.
Potomac, MD 20854
hours 7 am until thirty (30) minutes after sunset.