South Columbus in Lockbourne in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio-Erie Canal and Locks / The Columbus Feeder Canal
Ohio-Erie Canal and Locks
The Ohio-Erie Canal was built between 1825 and 1832 and extended 308 miles from Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth. The greatest engineering achievement in Ohio up to that time, the canal gave the state's farmers and merchants much greater access to goods and markets and was instrumental in the young state's rapid growth. Lockbourne was a focal point of activity on the canal with its staircase of eight lift locks (numbered 23 through 30), two canal basins, and junction with the Columbus Feeder. Locke Meadow Park encompasses the remnants of Lock 30 and the Big Walnut Creek guard lock, which prevented flood water from entering the main canal. The Lock Tender's house was located adjacent to Lock 30.
The Columbus Feeder Canal
In order to connect the state capital to the Ohio-Erie Canal and provide a dependable supply of water for this section, engineers began to survey an eleven-mile navigable feeder from the Scioto River in Columbus in 1824. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Columbus on April 30, 1827, with the Granville Company receiving the contract for all masonry work in the Lockbourne area on both the main canal and the feeder. The first canal boat arrived in Columbus on September 23, 1831. Boats ascending the Columbus Feeder crossed Big Walnut Creek through a slackwater pool above the "state dam," then traversed the lift lock. With a fourteen-foot difference in elevation between Columbus and Lockbourne, the canal required just two lift locks; the other was located four miles below the terminus. The last canal boat left Columbus in 1904.
Erected 2000 by Martin Marietta Aggregates, The Lockbourne Heritage Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 30-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio and Erie Canal, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1910.
Location. 39° 48.551′ N, 82° 58.31′ W. Marker is in Lockbourne, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in South Columbus. Marker is at the intersection of Commerce Street and Denny Street, on the right when traveling west on Commerce Street. Marker is at entrance to Lock Meadows Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockbourne OH 43137, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lockbourne Veterans' Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Ohio-Erie Canal and Locks / The Columbus Feeder Canal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Lockbourne (approx. 0.2 miles away); A-7D "Corsair II" (approx. 1.4 miles away); F-84F "Thunderstreak" (approx. 1.4 miles away); F-100D "Super Sabre" (approx. 1.4 miles away); Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (approx. 2 miles away); Tuskegee Airmen (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockbourne.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 4,040 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 23, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.