Williamsport in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lock 44
Photographed By F. Robby, June 29, 2016
1. Lock 44 Marker
Inscription.
Lock 44. . With the canal came industry and commerce, and that was no exception at Lock 44. While the only structures left standing at this pot are Lockhouse 44 and the lock, during the operating days of the canal businesses existed here. The Steffey and Findlay Warehouse was located on the berm side of the canal where you can now only see the stone wharf. Darby's Flour Mill was located just upstream from the warehouse. Mills along the canal were required to lease water rights from the canal since the canal made money to pay for repairs. The flour mill was destroyed by fire in 1920, just four years before the canal closed. The canal also provided recreational activities for the citizens of Williamsport. Harvey Brant, the last locktender at Lock 44, supplemented his income by providing canoe boat rentals and selling ice cream and soda to those that came down to the canal on the weekends to watch the boats go through the lock.
With the canal came industry and commerce, and that was no exception at Lock 44. While the only structures left standing at this pot are Lockhouse 44 and the lock, during the operating days of the canal businesses existed here. The Steffey and Findlay Warehouse was located on the berm side of the canal where you can now only see the stone wharf. Darby's Flour Mill was located just upstream from the warehouse. Mills along the canal were required to lease water rights from the canal since the canal made money to pay for repairs. The flour mill was destroyed by fire in 1920, just four years before the canal closed. The canal also provided recreational activities for the citizens of Williamsport. Harvey Brant, the last locktender at Lock 44, supplemented his income by providing canoe boat rentals and selling ice cream and soda to those that came down to the canal on the weekends to watch the boats go through the lock.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 39° 35.671′ N, 77° 49.502′ W. Marker is in Williamsport, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Main Street, 0.1 miles south of Canal
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Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is between the parking lot and lock 44, at the end of Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsport MD 21795, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Closeup on the historical text, in the lower left portion of the marker.
Photographed By F. Robby, June 29, 2016
3. Lock 44 Marker
Lock 44 and the lockhouse are in the background.
Photographed By F. Robby, June 29, 2016
4. Lock 44
View from the towpath side of the lock, looking southward.
Photographed By F. Robby, June 27, 2016
5. Lock 44
View of the lock's southern end.
Photographed By F. Robby, June 27, 2016
6. Lockhouse 44
Photographed By F. Robby, June 27, 2016
7. Lock 44
Algae-covered turtles floating in the lock.
Photographed By F. Robby, June 27, 2016
8. C&O Canal
A canal tour boat just north of lock 44.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 15, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
