Lockport in Niagara County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lock Tenders Tribute

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 6, 2021

1. Lock Tenders Tribute Marker

Inscription.

Lock Tenders Tribute. . Lock tenders in the 1890's were selected from each of the eight wards in the City of Lockport. Those depicted here were local residents and worked in the same spot where you are standing today. It was difficult, backbreaking work, with very few making it a career. Those that did were tough as nails indeed. , In 1897 the annual selection of the Erie Canal locktenders in Lockport was made by the Section 10 Superintendent of Locks, Frank B. Seeley. The selection process took place on the Pine Street bridge, minutes before starting time. The workers were chosen from more than 100 prospects, said to be "looking down upon the locks and wishing". , Erie Canal Lock Tenders at the Flight of Five locks in Lockport, New York, 1897. Seated left to right: Front row: unidentified, Fred J. Wagoner (1st Ward), and unidentified. Second row: Edward "Tom" O'Hara (4th Ward), Martin Noonan, Foreman (2nd Ward). Third row: John A. Leonard (1st Ward), Fred Wagoner's daughter Bessie Wagoner. Fourth row: William J. Bower, Foreman (6th Ward), Ira M. McCoy (8th Ward), Michael "Lord" Hennessey (6th Ward), and Michael Oates (5th Ward). Fifth row: unidentified and James M. Riley (2nd Ward). Not identified in the photo: Edwin Barrett (1st Ward), George Harmony (1st Ward). John Kline (3rd Ward), John Gardner (3rd Ward), J. Gordon Hutcheson (4th Ward), William Crowley (1st Ward), William P. Aikin (5th Ward), Elmer Goodlander (5th Ward), Nelson Carmon (6th Ward) Frank LaValley, Jr. (6th Ward), Nicholas Buri (6th Ward). , Sculptor Susan Geissler of Youngstown, New York created the bronze figures that are in front of you today. To the right, Susan is inspecting a wax component of a figure to be cast in bronze at a foundry. The process used to create the figures is known as lost-wax casting. , Frank B. Clench, known professionally as F.B. Clench (1838-1914) was a highly regarded portrait photographer who operated a studio on Main Street in Lockport. Shortly after opening his business, his reputation as a first-rate photographer spread throughout Western New York. His studio flourished here from 1863 until 1883. A century after his career ended, his work can still be found on stereographic cards in antique and online. , Lockport's Riley's Way Canal Walking Tour. Funding for this Riley's Way sign was provided by: Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor; The William G. Pomeroy Foundation

Lock tenders in the 1890's were selected from each of the eight wards in the City of Lockport. Those depicted here were local residents and worked in the same spot where you are standing today. It was difficult, backbreaking work, with very few making it a career. Those that did were tough as nails indeed.

In 1897 the annual selection of the Erie Canal locktenders in Lockport was made by the Section 10 Superintendent of Locks, Frank B. Seeley. The selection process took place on the Pine Street bridge, minutes before starting time. The workers were chosen from more than 100 prospects, said to be "looking down upon the locks and wishing".

Erie Canal Lock Tenders at the Flight of Five locks in Lockport, New York, 1897. Seated left to right: Front row: unidentified, Fred J. Wagoner (1st Ward), and unidentified. Second row: Edward "Tom" O'Hara (4th Ward), Martin Noonan, Foreman (2nd Ward). Third row: John A. Leonard (1st Ward), Fred Wagoner's daughter Bessie Wagoner. Fourth row: William J. Bower, Foreman (6th Ward), Ira M. McCoy (8th Ward), Michael "Lord" Hennessey (6th Ward), and Michael Oates (5th Ward). Fifth row: unidentified and James M. Riley (2nd Ward). Not identified in the photo: Edwin Barrett (1st Ward), George Harmony (1st Ward). John Kline (3rd Ward), John Gardner (3rd Ward), J. Gordon Hutcheson (4th Ward), William

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Crowley (1st Ward), William P. Aikin (5th Ward), Elmer Goodlander (5th Ward), Nelson Carmon (6th Ward) Frank LaValley, Jr. (6th Ward), Nicholas Buri (6th Ward).

Sculptor Susan Geissler of Youngstown, New York created the bronze figures that are in front of you today. To the right, Susan is inspecting a wax component of a figure to be cast in bronze at a foundry. The process used to create the figures is known as lost-wax casting.

Frank B. Clench, known professionally as F.B. Clench (1838-1914) was a highly regarded portrait photographer who operated a studio on Main Street in Lockport. Shortly after opening his business, his reputation as a first-rate photographer spread throughout Western New York. His studio flourished here from 1863 until 1883. A century after his career ended, his work can still be found on stereographic cards in antique and online.

Lockport's Riley's Way Canal Walking Tour. Funding for this Riley's Way sign was provided by: Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor; The William G. Pomeroy Foundation (Marker Number 16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 43° 10.253′ N, 78° 41.587′

Lock Tenders Tribute Marker & Statues image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 6, 2021

2. Lock Tenders Tribute Marker & Statues

W. Marker is in Lockport, New York, in Niagara County. Marker can be reached from Canal Street near Ontario Street. Marker may be accessed by a staircase from Canal Street to the Erie Canal Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lockport NY 14094, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Upper Locks View (here, next to this marker); Rope Marks in Iron Railings (a few steps from this marker); Old Locks West (a few steps from this marker); Historic Fittings (a few steps from this marker); Life on the Barges (a few steps from this marker); Oak Wood Lock Flooring (within shouting distance of this marker); Lock Construction (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great American Canal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockport.

Lock Tenders Tribute Photographer Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 6, 2021

3. Lock Tenders Tribute Photographer Statue

Overhead is the Pine Street Bridge. The back of the marker is to the right just beyond the statue.

Lock Tenders Tribute Statues image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 6, 2021

4. Lock Tenders Tribute Statues

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 636 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on December 2, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 6, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.