Near Point of Rocks in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Canal Home
Photographed by Brandon Stahl, January 1, 2017
1. A Canal Home Marker
The canal company supplied locktenders with a house next to the lock which enabled them to work the lock day and night. The house provided more than a roof over their heads; it was a stable home for their families. For children, used to the transient canal boat life, a permanent home meant a chance to attend school and make lasting friends.
In addition to the house, locktenders received a small monthly salary and an acre of land. The low pay meant locktenders had to supplement their incomes. A garden plot helped put food on the table and any excess produce could be traded with boatmen for coal and other necessities. Women baked bread or pies for trade. Children contributed by helping in the garden and at the lock, as well as by fishing or hunting muskrats for the canal company's bounty reward.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 39° 16.881′ N, 77° 32.865′ W. Marker is near Point of Rocks, Maryland, in Frederick
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lockhouse 28 (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle at Point of Rocks (approx. 0.6 miles away); Point of Rocks (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Rocks (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Rocks (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Rocks (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Rocks (approx. 0.7 miles away);
Photographed by Brandon Stahl
2. Inset on Marker
The son of the last locktender at Lock 28, Willie Fulton, Jr., and his family continued to call the lockhouse home for many years after the canal stopped running.
Photographed by Brandon Stahl, January 1, 2017
3. Lockhouse 28 As Seen From The Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
