Lock 20

Gazing at the churning water of the Great Falls, have you ever wondered how boats navigated this tumultuous section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal? Right here, beside the mighty falls, stands Lock 20. This unassuming structure played a vital role in taming the Potomac River, allowing canal boats to bypass the treacherous currents. Lock 20 is arguably the most popular lock on the entire C&O Canal. Its proximity to Great Falls makes it a central hub for visitors. Here, you can witness history come alive as canal boats still operate, passing through the lock, demonstrating the ingenuity of 19th-century engineering. Built in 1828, Lock 20 was part of the initial construction of the canal. Its original lockkeeper, W. W. Fenlon, oversaw Locks 15 through 20. Fenlon also had a keen eye for business. He proposed building an inn near Lock 20 and offered to manage it with his wife. This inn, a large three-story structure, opened in 1831 and later evolved into the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The original lockhouse still stands as a smaller adjacent building. The C&O Canal features 74 lift locks along its 184.5-mile length. These locks were crucial for navigating the 605-foot elevation change between Georgetown and Cumberland. Imagine the canal as a giant staircase. The boats traveled along the flat sections and then used the locks to ascend or descend about eight feet at a time. Lock 20, with its hand-operated miter gates based on Leonardo da Vinci’s 1485 design, provided one such “step” in this watery staircase, offering passage around the magnificent, yet impassable Great Falls. Visiting Lock 20 offers a glimpse into the past. You can experience a canal boat ride through the lock, appreciating the challenges and triumphs of canal boat navigation. The next time you’re at Great Falls, take a moment to appreciate Lock 20. It’s more than just a stone structure; it’s a testament to human ingenuity and a portal to a bygone era of American transportation.