Cabin John in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Swing-Gate Locks
Most canal locks were "swing-gate" locks, opened by pulling or pushing long balance beams that projected from the gates.Stone for the Seven Locks (locks 7 through 14) was cut and finished by stonemasons who were paid by the "piece." Arrows, pine trees, hourglasses, and other signs marked their work for the paymaster. Some of their marks can still be seen in the lock masonry.
The lock chamber was filled or emptied by opening small butterfly gates — called "paddles" — at the bottom of each wooden lock gate. This was done by turning long metal rods, or "stems." Boats going up canal to Cumberland entered the lower level and were lifted eight feet. Boats going down entered a filled lock chamber and were slowly lowered, a job that took about ten minutes.
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. 38° 58.337′ N, 77° 10.306′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Lock-Keepers (here, next to this marker); Drop Gate Locks (approx. 0.2 miles away); At All Hours (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lockhouse 10 (approx. 0.2 miles away); "…an extravagant expression of Victorian romanticism." (approx. 1.2 miles away); "The best scenery lies beyond the city, especially in the neighborhood of Cabin John Creek…" (approx. 1.2 miles away); Building The Cabin John Bridge (approx. 1.2 miles away); Working Hard To Survive (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cabin John.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
