Huntsville in Muskoka District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Brunel Locks

1873

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

1. Brunel Locks Marker

Inscription. Were originally constructed of hewn timbers during 1873-76 on the North Branch of the Muskoka River between Mary’s and Fairy Lakes. Length 88.5 ft., width 24 ft., lift 8 ft. The completion of these locks and the launching of the steamer “Northern,” 75 feet long, 200 passenger capacity, reduced the stage travel from Toronto to just 13 miles. In 1881, the first recorded year, 369 steamboats, 41 small boats and 10 rafts were lifted or lowered. Steamboats continued to use these locks for 75 years. In 1989, the opening of these new locks once again linked Mary’s Lake with Fairy, Vernon and Peninsula Lakes for navigation.

Erected 1989 by Heritage Huntsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 45° 18.069′ N, 79° 12.241′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Ontario, in Muskoka District. It can be reached from Brunel Road (Muskoka District Road 2) 1.5 kilometers south of West Browns Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Goodwin Park, overlooking the subject lock. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 561 Brunel Road, Huntsville ON P1H 1R9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country,

in Muskoka and Parry Sound and Algonquin Park.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 19 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Brunel Lift Locks (a few steps from this marker); The Huntsville Swing Bridge (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Explorers of Muskoka & Haliburton (approx. 18.4 kilometers away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic Brunel Lift Lock

Also see . . . Attempts to generate hydroelectricity at Brunel Locks continue. A plan to generate hydroelectricity at the Brunel Locks is not dead in the water. The building would not

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

2. Brunel Locks Marker

be much bigger than the current operator’s cabin that sits on the property. In terms of project size, preliminary numbers would put the hydrogeneration at about 1.6 million kilowatt hours per year, which can power on average approximately 136 houses. (Submitted on April 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

3. Brunel Lock

(looking north across lock • marker visible on right/east bank)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

4. Brunel Lock

(looking south across lock)

Brunel Lock Operator's Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

5. Brunel Lock Operator's Cabin

Brunel Lock Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010

6. Brunel Lock Entrance

(park near here to access lock)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.