Swatara Township near Jonestown in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Unlocking the Power of Water
Photographed by William Pope, May 27, 2024
1. Unlocking the Power of Water Marker
Inscription.
Unlocking the Power of Water. . This stone structure is what remains of Lock 9 of the Union Canal Company's Branch Canal to Pine Grove. The Branch Canal was in operation from 1830 until 1862. Canal boats filled with coal from the mines north of Pine Grove passed this spot on the way to cities as far away as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The original lock at this location was much smaller and made of wood. In 1851 the lock was reconstructed of stone and enlarged to accommodate boats that could haul up to 80 tons of cargo., A Boat Elevator , Canal locks raised boats from the lower downstream to the higher upstream water levels of the canal and then lowered them on the return trip. Using the power of water, the four locks located here would lift boats bound upstream for Pine Grove approximately 34 feet to the reservoir water level behind the Big Dam. If you continue along the trail to your right, you will arrive at the remnants of the highest lock on the canal.
This stone structure is what remains of Lock 9 of the Union Canal Company's Branch Canal to Pine Grove. The Branch Canal was in operation from 1830 until 1862. Canal boats filled with coal from the mines north of Pine Grove passed this spot on the way to cities as far away as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The original lock at this location was much smaller and made of wood. In 1851 the lock was reconstructed of stone and enlarged
to accommodate boats that could haul up to 80 tons of cargo.
A Boat Elevator
Canal locks raised boats from the lower downstream to the higher upstream water levels of the canal and then lowered them on the return trip. Using the power of water, the four locks located here would lift boats bound upstream for Pine Grove approximately 34 feet to the reservoir water level behind the Big Dam. If you continue along the trail to your right, you will arrive at the remnants of the highest lock on the canal.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Union Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 40° 28.86′ N,
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76° 31.909′ W. Marker is near Jonestown, Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County. It is in Swatara Township. It is at the intersection of Old State Road and The Appalachian Trail, on the left when traveling north on Old State Road. This marker is located at the end of Old State Road where it meets The Appalachian Trail and the Swatara Rail Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Old State Rd, Jonestown PA 17038, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Union Canal (about 400 feet away, measured in
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2024, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2024, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
