Lock No. 38 and Spillway
Also known as: 12 Mile Lock; See Also:Ohio and Erie Canal
Why it's listed
Lock No. 38, called the "12 Mile Lock," is a canal lock and spillway on the Ohio & Erie Canal beside Hillside Road in Valley View, Cuyahoga County. It was built between 1825 and 1827 and is owned by the State of Ohio. The lock is a standard mitered-gate type with a chamber 90 feet long and 15 feet wide. Its cut stone construction is masked by a layer of concrete, applied around 1905 as a stop-gap repair. Both gates remain intact. It is regarded as one of the three best preserved locks on the canal between Akron and Cleveland. Water still fills the canal at this point, and a reputed lock tender's house and inn stands nearby, giving the scene the look of a working canal. The setting is a rural valley, and the towpath is frequently used by hikers. These features illustrate how canals served Ohio's growth.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the three best preserved locks on the Ohio and Erie Canal between Akron and Cleveland. The canal still holds water here, both lock gates are intact, and a reputed lock tender's house and inn is nearby. Together these features show a working canal from a period when canals were essential to Ohio's growth.
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 79000291, listed December 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Hillside Rd., Valley View |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | December 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000291 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1825-1827 |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in very good condition; the canal contains water and the towpath is used by hikers for recreation. The concrete cover on the lock was applied c. 1905 as a repair. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.37224, -81.64867 (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 79000291.
- 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.