Lock No. 39 and Spillway
Also known as: 11 Mile Lock; See Also:Ohio and Erie Canal
Why it's listed
Lock No. 39, called the "11 Mile Lock," is a canal lock and spillway on the Ohio & Erie Canal in Valley View, Ohio. It sits on the west side of Canal Road, roughly 1,200 feet south of Rockside Road. Built between 1825 and 1827, it is a standard mitered-gate lock with a chamber 90 feet long and 15 feet wide. Its cut stone walls are covered with concrete applied around 1905 as a temporary repair. The south gate remains intact, but only the frame of the north gate survives. The Ohio & Erie Canal connected Lake Erie at Cleveland with the Ohio River at Portsmouth and was completed in 1832. For about three decades it shaped growth in commerce, manufacturing and population across Ohio. The section between Akron and Cleveland opened on July 4, 1827, dropping 395 feet through 41 locks. The stretch from Lock No. 36 to Lock No. 39 is described as the best preserved between the two cities. The adjacent towpath is now used for recreation.
Significance in brief: The lock is part of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which linked Lake Erie with the Ohio River and strongly influenced Ohio's commerce, manufacturing and population growth for about 30 years. The stretch between Lock No. 36 and Lock No. 39 is described as the best preserved portion of the canal between Akron and Cleveland.
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 79000292, listed December 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Canal Rd., Valley View |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | December 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000292 |
| 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) | Condition listed as very good. The towpath is used for recreation. The south gate is intact, while only the frame of the north gate remains. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Ohio and Erie Canal |
| Coordinates | 41.39039, -81.62492 (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 79000292.
- 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.