Lower Chanceford Township near Holtwood in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lock No. 12

Link with the Past

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 16, 2011

1. Lock No. 12 Marker

Inscription. Just north of this spot are the walls of what was once lock No. 12 of the old Susquehanna & Tidewater Canal, which paralleled the Susquehanna River 45 miles between Wrightsville, PA and Havre De Grace, MD. Built in 1836-39 and opened in 1840, the canal carried lumber, coal, iron, and grain bound for Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York until it was abandoned in 1895. Lock No. 12, 17 feet wide, 170 feet long and having a lift capability of 8.8 feet -- was one of 28 lift locks built to overcome a 233 foot elevation difference between terminal points. PPL Corporation, owner of the property is preserving Lock No. 12 for its cultural and historical value.

Erected by PPL Corporation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 39° 48.809′ N, 76° 19.746′ W. Marker is near Holtwood, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is in Lower Chanceford Township. Marker can be reached from River Road north of Holtwood Road (Pennsylvania Route 372), on the right when traveling north. Marker is near parking lot on the west side of the Norman Wood Bridge.

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Turn right in leaving westbound PA 372. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2416 Holtwood Rd, Airville PA 17302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Survivor of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); The Locks (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Susquehanna & Tidewater Canal (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Canal Boats (approx. 1½ miles away); The Canal Community (approx. 1½ miles away); Parks are for People (approx. 2.4 miles away); A Story Told by Our Totem Pole (approx. 4.2 miles away); Indigenous Peoples of the Susquehanna Valley (approx. 4.2 miles away).

More about this marker. "PPL Corporation," has been "whited" out.

Lock No. 12 looking north. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 16, 2011

2. Lock No. 12 looking north.

Lock No. 12 looking south. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 16, 2011

3. Lock No. 12 looking south.

Remains of the canal north of Lock 12. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 16, 2011

4. Remains of the canal north of Lock 12.

Diagram of a canal boat being raised and lowered in the lock. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, May 16, 2011

5. Diagram of a canal boat being raised and lowered in the lock.

Photographed By Carl Gordon Moore Jr., November 15, 2020

6. Lock No. 12 Marker

Firm name "whited" out; also, map to right included.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,292 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on November 13, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6. submitted on November 16, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.