Ohio and Erie Canal Deep Lock
Why it's listed
Deep Lock is a stone masonry canal lock south of Peninsula in Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio. Its channel measures 90 feet long, 15 feet wide and 16 feet deep, formed by two parallel cut-stone walls joined at the south end by a low, slightly concave retaining wall. At the north end the walls flare outward to help boats approach, and the slots for the gate posts remain visible. Known as Lock 28 of the Akron-Cleveland section of the Ohio and Erie Canal, it is the deepest lock in that chain. The depth was dictated by the terrain, since 42 locks were needed over the 36 miles between Akron and Cleveland. The first boat reached Cleveland from Akron on July 4, 1827. The lock served a major transportation system in the 1830s and 1840s, but canal use declined after the Civil War and had largely ended by about 1900. Sections were faced with cement in 1907-1908, yet the original stonework remains in good condition.
Significance in brief: The lock is the deepest on the Akron-Cleveland chain of the Ohio and Erie Canal and was known as Lock 28, or Deep Lock. It represents the canal system's contribution to Ohio and national transportation history, particularly in the 1830s and 1840s. The nomination rates it as locally significant.
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 74000345, listed September 9, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Peninsula on Riverview Rd., Peninsula |
|---|---|
| County | Summit County |
| Listed | September 9, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000345 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century; specific date 1827 |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and altered; parts of the sandstone walls were faced with cement in 1907-1908. The form lists it as publicly owned, unoccupied, with a park use and unrestricted public access. The canal itself was abandoned. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.23290, -81.55242 (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 74000345.
- 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.