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Lock 25 / Edward's Ferry
Lock 25 / Edward's Ferry
The town of Edwards Ferry was established along the C&O Canal in 1833. In addition to the lock and lockhouse, the town had a store, warehouses, blacksmith shop, and private homes. Lockhouse 25 is one of the best-preserved lockhouses on the C&O Canal and is available for rent in the Canal Quarters program sponsored by the C&O Canal Trust.
The town of Edwards Ferry was established along the C&O Canal in 1833. In addition to the lock and lockhouse, the town had a store, warehouses, blacksmith shop, and private homes. Lockhouse 25 is one of the best-preserved lockhouses on the C&O Canal and is available for rent in the Canal Quarters program sponsored by the C&O Canal Trust.
Lock 25 is one of fourteen locks that were extended in the 1880s to accommodate two canal boats hooked together — i.e., one behind the other — an arrangement that could reduce freight costs by 50%. This was done at locks 25-32 as well as a few others along the route.
Lock 25 is one of fourteen locks that were extended in the 1880s to accommodate two canal boats hooked together — i.e., one behind the other — an arrangement that could reduce freight costs by 50%. This was done at locks 25-32 as well as a few others along the route.
Upstream View of Lock 25 and lockkeeper’s house at Edward’s Ferry, 1913
Mules and drivers walked along the towpath of the C&O Canal as mules pulled boats at a rate of 2.5 miles per hour by tow-lines more than 100 feet long. In the canal's peak years, the 1870s, there were about 3,000 mules working on the canal. Today's park mules help to provide an authentic canal experience by pulling the Charles F. Mercer canal excursion boat at Great Falls, MD.
Mules and drivers walked along the towpath of the C&O Canal as mules pulled boats at a rate of 2.5 miles per hour by tow-lines more than 100 feet long. In the canal's peak years, the 1870s, there were about 3,000 mules working on the canal. Today's park mules help to provide an authentic canal experience by pulling the Charles F. Mercer canal excursion boat at Great Falls, MD.
Mules pulling canal boat on Towpath at Lock 25, 1913
Towpath today, alongside a dried-up segment of the canal, 2023.
Google Map Link
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Eugene E. Jarboe ran a grocery and feed store near Lock 25, while also serving as postmaster at Edward’s Ferry. Gene’s sons, Sam and John, ran the store after their father tragically drowned in the lock while loading cattle. In 1996 flood damage forced the National Park Service to partially tear down the two-story brick structure. Today, the stabilized ruins of Jarboe’s Store, built c. 1850, serve as a reminder of the commercial nature of the vital community that thrived at this once-busy intersection at Edwards Ferry.
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Eugene E. Jarboe ran a grocery and feed store near Lock 25, while also serving as postmaster at Edward’s Ferry. Gene’s sons, Sam and John, ran the store after their father tragically drowned in the lock while loading cattle. In 1996 flood damage forced the National Park Service to partially tear down the two-story brick structure. Today, the stabilized ruins of Jarboe’s Store, built c. 1850, serve as a reminder of the commercial nature of the vital community that thrived at this once-busy intersection at Edwards Ferry.
Lockhouse 25 (at right, both views) with Jarboe's Store beyond, 1913
Seneca Creek Aqueduct / Lock 24 (Riley's Lock)
Seneca Creek Aqueduct / Lock 24 (Riley's Lock)
Constructed in 1832 from locally quarried red sandstone, the Seneca Aqueduct was the first of eleven such structures built to carry the C&O Canal across tributaries of the Potomac River. It was also the only aqueduct designed with a canal lock (Lock 24) integrated into it. Seneca Aqueduct was partially washed out by floodwaters in 1971, and today the missing arch has been supplanted by steel beams.
Constructed in 1832 from locally quarried red sandstone, the Seneca Aqueduct was the first of eleven such structures built to carry the C&O Canal across tributaries of the Potomac River. It was also the only aqueduct designed with a canal lock (Lock 24) integrated into it. Seneca Aqueduct was partially washed out by floodwaters in 1971, and today the missing arch has been supplanted by steel beams.
Seneca Aqueduct at the Mouth of Seneca Creek, 1914
Two of the three arches of the Aqueduct remain today. An improvised bridge seen in the distance continues the towpath, now a hiking and bike path, across the missing span. Lock 24, Riley's Lock, is out of frame on the right. The Potomac River is out of frame to the left. Google Map Link
Riley's Lock (Lock 24) is sometimes called Seneca because of the proximity of the Seneca Aqueduct, but the name "Riley" comes from John C. Riley, who was lockkeeper from 1892 until the canal closed permanently in 1924.
Riley's Lock (Lock 24) is sometimes called Seneca because of the proximity of the Seneca Aqueduct, but the name "Riley" comes from John C. Riley, who was lockkeeper from 1892 until the canal closed permanently in 1924.
Today, Riley's Lock is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. On weekends in the spring and fall, local Girl Scouts give tours of the lockhouse during the afternoons.
Today, Riley's Lock is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. On weekends in the spring and fall, local Girl Scouts give tours of the lockhouse during the afternoons.
Downstream view, 1914
2023 Google Map Link
Upstream view, 1914
2023 Google Map Link
1914 view from the aqueduct. The small white shanty nearer the canal was used by the lockkeeper to watch for oncoming canal boats.
Lock 24 and lockhouse as viewed from walkway on the Seneca Aqueduct over Seneca Creek, 2023. Google Map Link
Lock 22 (Pennyfield Lock)
Lock 22 (Pennyfield Lock)
Pennyfield Lock is known locally as the favorite destination for President Grover Cleveland who stayed at a boardinghouse here when he went on fishing excursions. The name "Pennyfield" is a misspelling of the family name of long-time lockkeepers George and Charles Pennifield. George, and then his son Charlie, operated the lock from the 1880s until it was permanently closed. Today, the Pennyfield Lock and restored lockhouse are part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
Pennyfield Lock is known locally as the favorite destination for President Grover Cleveland who stayed at a boardinghouse here when he went on fishing excursions. The name "Pennyfield" is a misspelling of the family name of long-time lockkeepers George and Charles Pennifield. George, and then his son Charlie, operated the lock from the 1880s until it was permanently closed. Today, the Pennyfield Lock and restored lockhouse are part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
1914 view of the lockhouse (on the right) from the towpath.
Same view, 2023-- the lockhouse is still present, but more camoulflaged behind the trees. Google Map Link
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