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Lock 58

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1837–1850, Hunter, Harris and Company. Milepost 143.9 of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
  • (Photograph by Brian Smyers)
  • (Photograph by Brian Smyers)
  • (Photograph by Brian Smyers)
  • (Photograph by Brian Smyers)

Lock 58 is one of thirteen “composite locks” along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. To expedite construction and because there was a lack of stone in this section of the canal, composite locks were built of rubble and undressed limestone. Work began in August 1838, but stopped when only forty percent of the section was completed. When work resumed on this portion of the canal, Hunter, Harris and Company subcontracted the completion of the lock to an unknown firm, and it was finally finished in 1850.

To protect the boats from potential damage from the rough stone surface, these locks were lined with two layers of timber: one placed horizontally and one placed vertically. Despite waterproofing attempts with creosote, there was a significant rot problem, and by the turn of the twentieth century, cement liners were being poured in all composite locks. At this particular lock, an inscribed date of “1909” seems to indicate the timing of this operation.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Justine Christianson
Coordinator: 
Lisa P. Davidson
Catherine C. Lavoie
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Data

Timeline

  • 1838

    Built

What's Nearby

CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL, PAW PAW TUNNEL
Coolfont
Berkeley Castle (Suit Cottage)
Country Inn
Berkeley Springs State Park

Citation

Justine Christianson, "Lock 58", [Little Orleans, Maryland], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MD-01-000-0037-06.

Print Source

Buildings of Maryland, Lisa Pfueller Davidson and Catherine C. Lavoie. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022, .

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