Cabin John in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Drop Gate Locks
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
1. Drop Gate Locks Marker
The drop gate on this lift lock was a technological advance over the more common swing-gate lock. It was faster and could be more easily operated by a single employee.
Only a few drop-gates were installed on the canal, most of them to speed traffic here at Seven Locks where it often took boatmen an hour or more to lock through.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list.
Location. 38° 58.334′ N, 77° 10.119′ W. Marker is in Cabin John, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Clara Barton Parkway. At lock 10 in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cabin John MD 20818, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: At All Hours (a few steps from this marker); Lockhouse 10 (within shouting distance of this marker); Swing-Gate Locks (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lock-Keepers (approx. 0.2 miles away); " an extravagant expression of Victorian romanticism." (approx. one mile away); "The best scenery lies beyond the city, especially in the neighborhood of Cabin John Creek " (approx. one mile away); Building The Cabin John Bridge (approx. one mile away); Early Blacksmith Shop (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cabin John.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
2. Drop Gate Locks Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
3. Locking Through
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
4. Butterfly Gates
Two levers were used to open butterfly gates at the bottom of the lock to equalize water levels.Close-up of image on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
5. Opening the Gate
The gate could then be opened by turning a spoked wheel.Close-up of image on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 3, 2017
6. Gate Open
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 4, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
