Huntsville in Muskoka District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Brunel Locks
1873
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010
1. Brunel Locks Marker
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. Marker 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,
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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 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
2. Brunel Locks Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010
3. Brunel Lock
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010
4. Brunel Lock
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010
5. Brunel Lock Operator's Cabin
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2010
6. Brunel Lock Entrance
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 278 times since then and 121 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 10, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
