Devola in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Devola Lock
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
1. The Devola Lock Marker
Inscription.
The Devola Lock was one of eleven built on the Muskingum River from Marietta to Ellis, north of Zanesville, from 1836 to 1841. The locks are approximately thirty-five feet wide and 160 feet long. The State of Ohio funded the project as part of the Ohio Canal System. The improvements made the shallow river navigable by steamboats. Travelers ascended over 100 feet from Marietta to Dresden on ninety miles of river. Farmers shipped corn, wheat, eggs, and wool, while manufacturers shipped goods, staples such as sugar, the mail, news, and entertainment. After 1880, competition from railroads caused a gradual decline in the river traffic. Today the locks remain in operation for the enjoyment of pleasure boaters.
The Devola Lock was one of eleven built on the Muskingum River from Marietta to Ellis, north of Zanesville, from 1836 to 1841. The locks are approximately thirty-five feet wide and 160 feet long. The State of Ohio funded the project as part of the Ohio Canal System. The improvements made the shallow river navigable by steamboats. Travelers ascended over 100 feet from Marietta to Dresden on ninety miles of river. Farmers shipped corn, wheat, eggs, and wool, while manufacturers shipped goods, staples such as sugar, the mail, news, and entertainment. After 1880, competition from railroads caused a gradual decline in the river traffic. Today the locks remain in operation for the enjoyment of pleasure boaters.
Erected 1996 by Muskingum River Parkway and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-84.)
Location. 39° 28.248′ N, 81° 29.472′ W. Marker is in Devola, Ohio, in Washington County. Marker is at the Devola Lock, off Devols Dam Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marietta OH 45750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
2. The Devola Lock and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
3. The Devola Lock Marker
Looking southeast along the Muskingum River.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
4. The Devola Lock #2 Restoration Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,523 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
