Maumee in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Locking in Commerce
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 12, 2021
1. Locking in Commerce Marker
Before super highways, Ohio had the Miami and Erie Canal. Running from Toledo to Cincinnati, it included 106 locks which allowed canal boats to move through many elevation changes. The first six of these locks were built for the bustling city of Maumee. Three of the six can still be seen today at Side Cut Metropark.
At Providence Metropark, visitors can even ride a replica canal boat through a working lock on the Miami and Erie Canal.
Locks work by 'locking' the canal boat snugly in between four massive whaler gates and then working the smaller wickets on those gates to cause gradual changes in water level.
[Sidebar:]
Did You Know?
During the 1840s, the Miami and Erie canal locks allowed boats to navigate over 800 feet of elevation changes Ohio's not as flat as it seems!
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Miami & Erie Canal series list.
Location. 41° 33.44′ N, 83° 40.324′ W. Marker is in Maumee, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is on North River Road 0.6 miles west of Mohawk Place, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1025 Canal Locks Trail, Maumee OH 43537, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, 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: Good Work Pays Off (within shouting distance of this marker); Maumee City (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Side Cut's Left Over Locks (about 500 feet away); Rotary International (1905-2005) / Maumee Rotary Centennial Pavilion Dedicated July 2, 2005 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ohio Historical Flood Marker (approx. 0.8 miles away); 215 W. John Street (approx. 0.9 miles away); American Faces (approx. one mile away); Treaty of Greenville (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maumee.
Other markers no longer nearby. Side Cut Locks (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Great Depression (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Clay's Landing (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Craig Doda, May 12, 2021
2. Locking in Commerce Marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 25, 2025
3. Locking in Commerce Marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 25, 2025
4. View of the Lock
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
