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Protecting the Canal since 1954

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association is an independent, all-volunteer citizens organization established in 1954 to help conserve the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The association works with the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve and promote the 184-mile towpath.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lock 27, Spinks Ferry, Montgomery County, Maryland.
This lock was built with Seneca Red sandstone in 1831 and was sometimes known as Campbell's lock or "Camels Lock".
The stone to construct this lock was boated some 5 miles down the Potomac River from Point of Rocks to this location, as well as from Lee's quarry near Seneca, and from ledges 2 and 1/2 mi north of this location.
The lock was extended on the upper end in 1881-82 with wooden cribs and planking in order to allow for the passage of two boats instead of one.
The stone lock house remains on the towpath side.
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Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lock 27, Spinks Ferry, Montgomery County, Maryland.
This lock was built with Seneca Red sandstone in 1831 and was sometimes known as Campbell's lock or "Camels Lock".
The stone to construct this lock was boated some 5 miles down the Potomac River from Point of Rocks to this location, as well as from Lee's quarry near Seneca, and from ledges 2 and 1/2 mi north of this location.
The lock was extended on the upper end in 1881-82 with wooden cribs and planking in order to allow for the passage of two boats instead of one.
The stone lock house remains on the towpath side.
... See MoreSee Less

15 hours ago

C&O Canal Association

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lock 27, Spinks Ferry, Montgomery County, Maryland.
This lock was built with Seneca Red sandstone in 1831 and was sometimes known as Campbell's lock or "Camels Lock".
The stone to construct this lock was boated some 5 miles down the Potomac River from Point of Rocks to this location, as well as from Lee's quarry near Seneca, and from ledges 2 and 1/2 mi north of this location.
The lock was extended on the upper end in 1881-82 with wooden cribs and planking in order to allow for the passage of two boats instead of one.
The stone lock house remains on the towpath side.
... See MoreSee Less

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The lock was also known as Whalen's lock named for lock keeper John Whalen who was the lock keeper for many years. He was the last lockkeeper and died at the lock house in 1926. He is buried in the Monocacy Cemetery. A few years ago it was discovered he did not have a gravestone. A few canal historians contributed their own funds and bought John a gravestone.

Spinks Ferry Road led up the hillside on the berm side of the canal. There was a pivot bridge at the lock. A road was on the berm side that led to the Monocacy Village. On the berm side there once were two houses. The foundation of the store is on the berm side.

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