Walhounding Canal Lock No. 9
Also known as: Gamble's Lock
Why it's listed
Gamble's Lock, officially Lock No. 9, is part of a 1,790-foot stretch of the Walhonding Canal near Warsaw, Ohio. The canal was started in 1836 and finished in 1842 as a 25-mile feeder to the Ohio-Erie Canal, with 12 locks, running from Rochester to Roscoe. The lock was named for landowner Charles Gamble. Its chamber measures 90 feet by 15 feet and is built of large, hand-dressed sandstone blocks, with a nine-foot lift and walls thinner than on the main canal. A bypass at the northeast corner kept water flowing evenly. The wooden gates are gone, some cap stones were removed, and a concrete floor was added when the chamber served as a grain silo. The wooded canal and towpath remain intact on federal land. The lock was listed for its engineering, craftsmanship and stonework, and as the biggest and best preserved lock on the upper canal, a surviving piece of local commerce and transportation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the canal represents state-of-the-art engineering meant to boost commerce, agriculture and transportation in early 19th century Ohio. Gamble's Lock, with a nine-foot lift, was the biggest and best preserved lock on the upper canal, and shows excellent design, craftsmanship and stonework. The canal channel at both ends of the lock is deep, wide and well preserved.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86000307, listed February 24, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | OH 715, Warsaw |
|---|---|
| County | Coshocton County |
| Listed | February 24, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000307 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1836 - 1842 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition. The segment is wooded and intact. The lock's wooden gates have been removed, some cap stones are missing, and a concrete floor was added when it served as a grain silo. |
| Acreage | 5.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.34575, -82.07637 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86000307.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.