Canal Lock 48

Canal Lock 48
Rushtown, OH 45652

740-357-2070   |  http://www.sciotoheritagetrail.com/
Daylight Hours
Free

Canal Lock 48

The broad valley of the lower Scioto River had a gentle slope that required only a few widely-spaced locks on the Ohio & Erie Canal. The river meandered across the valley, sometimes coming close to the canal but often staying as much as a mile to the east.

The broad valley of the lower Scioto River had a gentle slope that required only a few widely-spaced locks on the Ohio & Erie Canal. The river meandered across the valley, sometimes coming close to the canal but often staying as much as a mile to the east.

Lock 48 was about nine miles below the now-demolished Lock 47. Today Lock 48 is in a tree-shaded setting, in private ownership but with a small parking area for visitors. Its rural setting today was much different in the canal era. The lock was called Brown’s Mill Lock, referring to a grist mill that ground grain into flour, using water power the lock provided. The mill was built by William Kendall, who helped lay out Portsmouth in 1803; he later sold his mill to Peter Brown. Located a half-mile above the village of Rushtown (named for its location in Scioto County’s Rush Township), the three-story mill stood on the west side of the canal, just below the lock and next to a headrace that took water from above the lock to power the grindstones. The towpath was on the east side of the canal.

This canal feature is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Ohio and Erie Canal Southern Descent Historic District.

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Notes for Travelers

Just south of Lock 48 is an historical marker about the Ohio & Erie Canal. It is located on the property of Bethany Baptist Church, with available parking for visiting the marker.

The Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail offers covers an 84-miles a journey through the rugged, heavily wooded Appalachian hill country and through an area rich in history, full of river lore and native American influences. There are currently 41 points of interest along the trail that enables the traveler the opportunity to capture the full flavor of the region and experience the varied topography and natural beauty of the area. More information is available at the website below.

http://www.sciotoheritagetrail.com

Lock #50, located in West Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Floodwall Murals are separate entries in the Southern Descent Heritage Trail.

The Scioto County Visitors Center is located in Portsmouth’s Boneyfiddle Historic District and adjacent to the Floodwall Murals. The historic district has many examples of early 19th to early 20th century architecture and is worth a visit.

https://www.portsmouth.org/travel-tourism/

The Southern Ohio Museum is located in a handsome restored Beaux Arts style former bank building at 825 Gallia Street in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. The building currently houses two permanent installations featuring the largest single collection of works by native son and well-known American Scene painter Clarence Holbrook Carter (1904-2000) and “Art of the Ancients,” containing 10,000 prehistoric Native American objects from the Charles and William Wertz Collection. There are also galleries for current art exhibitions, a gift shop and a small performing arts theater. Check the website for current and upcoming events and exhibitions.

https://www.somacc.com/



Credits

Jeff Darbee, Nancy Recchie, David Meyer

Additional Resources

Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal – Licking Reservoir to Lockbourne and Columbus Feeder

Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal in the Scioto River Valley