Swains Lock, Lock and lock keeper's house in Potomac, US
Lock 21 stands along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, featuring stone walls and wooden gates for water level control.
The lock construction started in 1830 as part of the transportation network connecting Chesapeake Bay to Ohio River through Montgomery County.
Jesse Swain maintained this lock from 1907 to 1939, while his family operated canal boats and composed folk songs about life on water.
Visitors access the site through Swains Lock Road, where they find restrooms, parking spaces, and designated areas for tent camping.
The lock house enables overnight stays through the Canal Quarters program, recreating the exact living conditions from 1916.
Location: Montgomery County
Inception: 1830
Address: 10700 Swains Lock Rd, Potomac, MD 20854-1260 20854-1260
GPS coordinates: 39.03139,-77.24333
Latest update: March 6, 2025 22:10
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