Near Point of Rocks in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Lockkeeper's Life
Photographed By Brandon Stahl, January 15, 2017
1. A Lockkeeper's Life Marker
Lockkeepers were available anytime of the day or night to operate this lock. Tending lock was often a family venture and the canal company preferred family men. Lockkeepers were paid as much as $600 a year, and were provided a lockhouse with a garden plot. the last lockkeepers here at Lander were Lewis H. "Bugs" Cross, his wife Mamie, and their four children. The family operated Lock 29 from 1917 until the canal closed in 1924. For nearly 40 years they continued to live in the lockhouse after the canal had stopped operating.
(Captions:)
Lewis "Bugs" Cross was the last lockkeeper at Lander. Bugs lived here until his death in 1962.
Flood waters in 1936 (right) almost reached the second floor of the lockhouse. Damage from the 1996 floods prompted the National Park Service to restore the building's exterior.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 39° 18.375′ N, 77° 33.498′ W. Marker is near Point of Rocks, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker can
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fall and Rise of an Aqueduct (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Beautiful Aqueduct (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aqueduct Stones (approx. 0.6 miles away); Stones Reunited (approx. 0.6 miles away); Catoctin Aqueduct (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abraham Lakin 2nd (approx. 1.7 miles away); Lockhouse 28 (approx. 1.8 miles away); A Canal Home (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point of Rocks.
Also see . . .
1. C&O Canal Trust. Founded in 2007, the C&O Canal Trust is the official non-profit partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. (Submitted on January 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.)
2. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. (Submitted on January 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.)
Photographed By Brandon Stahl, January 15, 2017
2. A Lockkeeper's Life Marker and Lockhouse 29
Photographed By Brandon Stahl, January 15, 2017
3. Lockhouse 29
A view of Lockhouse 29 from the Lock
Photographed By Brandon Stahl, January 15, 2017
4. Lockhouse 29
The north side of Lockhouse 29 as seen from the parking lot
Photographed By Brandon Stahl, October 10, 2016
5. Lockhouse and Lock 29
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 23, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
