Curious about how canal boats overcame elevation changes? Here at Lock 24: Rileys Lock, you will discover the ingenuity of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This is not just any lock. Riley’s Lock combines a lift lock with the Seneca Aqueduct, a unique feature along the entire 184.5-mile C&O Canal.
Riley’s Lock played a vital role in the canal’s operation. The C&O Canal was like a staircase. Canal boats traveled along flat sections. They then used locks to ascend or descend about eight feet. These locks helped boats overcome the 605-foot elevation change between Georgetown and Cumberland.
Completed in 1832, Riley’s Lock, also known as Lock 24, showcases remarkable engineering. The Seneca Aqueduct carries canal boats over Seneca Creek. It leads directly into the lift lock. The lock’s construction cost $32,000. The lock and aqueduct are made of Seneca red sandstone. This sandstone came from a quarry just west of here. Interestingly, the same Seneca red sandstone was also used to build the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, DC.
The lock gets its name from John C. Riley. Riley served as the lock keeper from 1892 until the canal closed in 1924. William H. Riley, John’s father, came from Ireland around 1849. He found work at the Seneca quarry. By 1880, William was working on the C&O Canal.
John Riley’s family lived in the lock house until 1905. A young daughter tragically drowned in the canal. After the tragedy, Riley’s wife and children moved to a safer house up the hill. Riley remained at the lock house. Family members visited him daily. Riley sometimes rented spare rooms to campers.
During the Civil War, this area saw significant activity. Confederate General Jeb Stuart’s cavalry crossed the Potomac near Riley’s Lock in 1863. They damaged lock gates and burned canal boats disrupting Union supply lines.
Today, Riley’s Lock is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. You can explore the lock and its surroundings. The Seneca Historic District includes the lock, the Seneca Stone Cutting Mill, and the Seneca Quarry.
Birdwatchers will appreciate Riley’s Lock. The Maryland Ornithological Society considers it a top spot. Over 200 bird species have been spotted here.
Consider a visit during the spring or fall. Girl Scouts offer tours of the lock house on weekends. This is part of the Riley’s Lockhouse History Program.
The C&O Canal permanently closed in 1924 due to flood damage and competition from railroads. Riley continued to work near the lock as a canal watchman. His family also ran a boat rental business until the 1940s.
John Riley passed away in 1931 at the age of 69. He is buried at the Darnestown Presbyterian Church cemetery. Lock 24 is named Riley’s Lock in his honor. The road leading to the lock is also named Rileys Lock Road.
So, as you stand here at Riley’s Lock, remember the stories of the canal. Envision the boats, the lock keepers, and the families who lived and worked here. Riley’s Lock stands as a testament to the ingenuity and history of the C&O Canal.