Lyons in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Poor House Lock
Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 56
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
1. The Poor House Lock Marker
By Nora Ellena (Westcott) Studer
In the valley the Erie Waters passed lazily through,
But their extremities were soon lost from view,
Their waters were dotted with boats here and there,
Going to their destination somewhere.
Some boats were heavily loaded, and some were light,
But this panorama kept up both day and night.
The boatmen would yell and the locktenders too,
Trying to understand just what they should do.
Our lock was called "The Poor House Lock"
for what reason, do you say?
Because a county institution is only a few hundred feet away.
Father used to say it's a mighty good thing it's so
For we won't have far to go if we get out of "dough"
For when the new Barge Canal was built, the old one had to go,
Not much like the busy, happy days of old.
Erected by Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Wayne County and Trail Works.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 43° 3.954′ N, 77° 1.568′ W. Marker is in Lyons, New York, in Wayne County.
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Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Canal Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lyons Drydock (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honoring Those Who Worked on the Erie Canal (approx. half a mile away); Naming of Lyons (approx. 1½ miles away); They Call me Sal Mural (approx. 1½ miles away); First School (approx.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
2. The Poor House Lock Marker and Lock 56
The brick house in the background is the former Canal Store.
Also see . . . The Erie Canal. (Submitted on May 11, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
3. The Poor House Lock
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
4. The Poor House Lock
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
5. Iron fittings at the Poor House Lock
Few of the old canal locks retain this metal hardware, which held the wooden quoin post in place. The quoin post was the part of the lock door that acted as a the hinge of the door.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, April 28, 2025
6. The Poor House Lock
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 30, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
