Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jackson's Lock and the Port of Reading
Port of Reading Heritage Trail
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 28, 2020
1. Jackson's Lock and the Port of Reading Marker
The Junction between the Schuylkill Navigation System and the Union Canal
Jackson's Lock was Number 84 of the 120 original locks along the Schuylkill Navigation System. The Schuylkill Navigation System, created by the Schuylkill Navigation Company, was a 108-mile long system of canals, locks, and slackwater (river) to enable the transportation of goods and people down and up the Schuylkill River, from Port Carbon to Philadelphia.
Following improvements in the 1850s
the number of locks was reduced, making Jackson's Lock number 48, the southern entrance to the Port of Reading. Boats traveling northbound along the Schuylkill River would pass through Jackson's Lock and into the Reading Canal. Frequently locks became known by the name of their tender however, Lock 48 was referred to as Jackson's Lock for the nearby merchants and industrialists, Thomas and Edward Jackson who arrived in the Reading area in 1829.
Erected by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Grant Program.
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 40° 19.485′ N, 75° 55.582′ W. Marker is in Reading, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It is at the intersection of Canal Street and South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east on Canal Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Canal St, Reading PA 19602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James H. Maurer (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Jacksons Lock and the Port of Reading (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dead Have No Rights
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 28, 2020
2. Discover the Schuylkill River Heritage Area sign
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 28, 2020
3. Neversink Trail side of the marker
Unfortunately, this panel has been defaced.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 28, 2020
4. Jackson's Lock and the Port of Reading Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
