October 17, 2024 -- Today I went to Four Locks. I took Ty with me. He was due for an outing. I've been to Four Locks many times. It isn't far from where I live. Sometimes, I take Ty. I've also taken my mom. Four Locks is a canal town, now a ghost town. The town developed when the C&O Canal came through it and disappeared when the canal closed. It gets its name from the four locks on the canal.
Welcome to Four Locks
Blue waters of the Potomac
Ty @ Four Locks
The four locks (47, 48, 49, and 50) were built between 1836 and 1839. Each lock raised the canal 8.25 feet, allowing boaters to bypass the Potomac River at an area known as Prather's Neck. At one time, there were 30 buildings in Four Locks, including two general stores, a post office, warehouse, and one-room school house. Four Locks survived damaging floods and the Civil War. The canal closed in 1924 and the town eventually disappeared. Several buildings remain, serving as a reminder of a different time.
The watch house (shanty) at lock 50 is the only watch house left on the canal. It was used by local keepers while waiting for canal boats. It was easier to see on-coming boats from the watch house than the lock house.
Lock 50 Watch House
Lockhouse 49 is in good shape. It's where the lead lock tender for Four Locks (Lock #47, 48, 49, and 50) resided, along with his family. Lock 49 is one of 26 lockhouses remaining on the C&O Canal. It can be rented for the night. It is furnished in 1920's style. It might be cool to stay overnight, spooky, too, since it's in the middle of nowhere. Probably not something a single girl should do.
Lockhouse 49, ca. 1840
The Flory House is one of the few remaining houses in Four Locks. Alexander Flory was a major in the Civil War. He resided there and probably operated a store. The Four Locks Post Office was either located in or behind the Flory House. It operated from 1878 to 1903. Eight different postmasters, only one woman, worked and lived there.
The one-room schoolhouse in Four Locks still stands It operated from 1877 to 1943. Up to 30 children in eight grades attended for $240 per year. It did not have central heat, electricity, or indoor plumbing. Kids today are so spoiled.
One room schoolhouse, ca. 1860
The mule barn was used to house mules during the winter when the canal was closed. It was reconstructed by the National Park Service and stands as a reminder of the hard-working mules that hauled coal (and other cargo) up and down the canal. It sits in disrepair now.
The mule barn
The National Park Service restored the impressive two story stone house in Four Locks known as the Prather House. At one time, the house was used for park housing.
Prather House, ca. 1840
The John G. Stone house was built shortly after 1860. It has had various owners and was purchased by the National Park Service in 1976.
John G. Stone House, ca. 1860
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