Violette's Lock

rdf:langString Violette's Lock

rdf:langString Violette's Lock

rdf:langString Violette's Lock

rdf:langString USA

rdf:langString Towpath milemarker 22.1

rdf:langString Violette's Lock (Lock 23) is part of the 184.5-mile (296.9 km) Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (a.k.a. C&O Canal) that operated in the United States along the Potomac River from the 1830s through 1923. It is located at towpath mile-marker 22.1, in Montgomery County, Maryland. The name Violette comes from Alfred L. "Ap" Violette and his wife Kate, who were lock keepers from the beginning of the 20th century through the permanent closure of the canal in 1924. Lock 23, a lift lock, is adjacent to a guard (a.k.a. inlet) lock used to add water to the canal. A dam was also nearby. All three were built during 1829 through 1831. Construction of an aqueduct upriver took longer than other downriver portions of the canal, causing the first phase of canal operation to be between Georgetown and Lock 23. Construction of the entire canal was completed in 1850, and connected Cumberland in Western Maryland with Georgetown on the Potomac River. The canal was necessary because portions of the Potomac River upstream from Georgetown were not navigable. Today, Violette's Lock is part of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The site is one of the few lift locks with an adjacent inlet lock and (the remnants of) a dam. A picnic table, a restroom, parking, and a canoe ramp are available. The lock and surrounding area are known as excellent places for bird watching, and the 40-acre (16 ha) Dierssen Waterfowl Sanctuary is located less two miles (3.2 km) away between Violette's Lock and the Pennyfield Lock. The locks are connected on land by the canal's towpath, and the path is used by bikers and hikers.

rdf:langString Defunct