Near New Haven in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gronauer Lock No. 2
Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007
1. Gronauer Lock No. 2 Marker
Wabash and Erie Canal lock was discovered here June 1991 during excavation for highway construction. It was built 1838–1840 by Henry Lotz and named for lock keeper Joseph Gronauer. The rare, well-preserved timber-frame design lock measured 115 by 40 feet; lock chamber was 90 by 15 feet; two-thirds of the total structure was excavated and removed.
Numerous artifacts and 750 pieces of timber were recovered. After extensive preservation treatment, approximately 5 percent of total lock structure is included in a Indiana State Museum Exhibit. Wabash and Erie Canal, Americas longest at approximately 460 miles, linked Lake Erie at Toledo, Ohio with Ohio River at Evansville 1853.
Erected 2003 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Canal Society of Indiana and New Haven Kiwanis. (Marker Number 02.2003.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the Wabash & Erie Canal series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1991.
Location. 41° 5.143′ N, 84° 59.407′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana and in Greater Fort Wayne. It is also in the American Midwest 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kim Linker (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Wabash & Erie Canal (approx. 1.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); In Greatful Recognition Of Valor (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 1.8 miles away); Arthur R. Smith (approx. 6.1 miles away);
Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007
2. Gronauer Lock No. 2 Marker, Reverse
Also see . . . Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB). The IHB provides reference notes on the text of this marker. (Submitted on February 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007
3. Looking west along canal route with I-469 in the background.
Hist Am Engineering Records, Department of the Interior, circa 1992
4. Gronauer Lock No 2 Marker Marker
Image obtained from the Library of Congress' on-line Architectural/Engineering Records.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 4,428 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2007, by Mike Brenton of New Haven, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 19, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
