Providence Township near Grand Rapids in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Whalers And Wickets Of Lock 44

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 13, 2022

1. Whalers And Wickets Of Lock 44 Marker

Inscription.
When moving from one level of a house to another, people generally use stairs. Canal lock construction follows the same principle except that the water levels become the stairs. Two sets of large whaler gates contain smaller wicket gates. The large gates help hold the boat in place while the wickets control the water level.

You may think of northwest Ohio as flat, but there is over 500 feet of elevation change, which required 103 locks on the Miami and Erie Canal. This is the only working lock in Ohio still used by a canal boat.

Erected by Metroparks, Toledo Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 41° 24.932′ N, 83° 51.69′ W. Marker is near Grand Rapids, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is in Providence Township. It is on Grand Rapids Road (U.S. 24) west of Bridge Street (Ohio Route 295), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12630 Grand Rapids Rd, Grand Rapids OH 43522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Tough Times On The Towpath (here, next to this marker); The Towpath Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Power: Turbines and Races (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac Ludwig Historic Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); A Dam With A View (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Next Stop: Bankruptcy! (about 300 feet away); The Oberle Hotel (about 500 feet away); Through The Eyes Of An Artist (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 13, 2022

2. Whalers And Wickets Of Lock 44 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.