Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Muskingum River Locks

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

1. The Muskingum River Locks Marker

Inscription. The Zanesville lock, canal, and dam were part of a series of eleven such built on the Muskingum River from Marietta to Ellis, north of Zanesville, from 1836 to 1841. The improvements made the shallow river navigable by steamboats. The State of Ohio funded the project as part of the Ohio Canal System. The locks are approximately 35 feet wide and 160 feet long. The river improvements spurred the development of industry in Zanesville, including pottery manufacture, shipbuilding, and grain milling. From Zanesville, goods could be shipped north to the Ohio Canal and Lake Erie. Products could also be sent south to Marietta and then east to Pittsburgh or southwest to New Orleans. Steamboats brought in manufactured goods, staples, mail, and entertainment. After 1880, competition from railroads caused a gradual decline in the river traffic. Today the locks remain in operation for the enjoyment of pleasure boaters.

Erected 1998 by The Muskingum River Parkway and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-60.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places

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• Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 39° 56.073′ N, 82° 0.222′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It can be reached from 8th Street near Hughes Street. Marker is south of Lockkeeper's House, between lock/canal and Muskingum River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Zanesville OH 43701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zanesville Underground Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sixth Street Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); The Stone Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Anti-Slavery Tensions in Muskingum County

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

2. The Muskingum River Locks Marker

Looking north along canal toward Lockkeeper's House.

(approx. ¼ mile away); 1798 (approx. ¼ mile away); 1799 (approx. ¼ mile away); 1800 (approx. ¼ mile away); 1801 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

More about this marker. Access gained through parking lot off 8th street south of Hughes Street (south of electric power substation).

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

3. The Muskingum River Locks Marker

Looking south toward lock from Lockkeeper's house.

Lockkeeper's House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

4. Lockkeeper's House

Muskingum River Lock No. 10 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

5. Muskingum River Lock No. 10

Lock No. 10 from across the Muskingum River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

6. Lock No. 10 from across the Muskingum River

Lock No. 10 Depth Gauge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 26, 2008

7. Lock No. 10 Depth Gauge

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,923 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 6, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.