Allegheny River Lock and Dam No.8
Why it's listed
Built on the south bank of the Allegheny River near Templeton, the lock and dam were constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1929 and 1931, with a contract let in 1929 and the facility opening on May 21, 1931. The concrete lock measures 56 by 360 feet and lifts vessels 17.8 feet, while the 933-foot dam was raised three feet in 1937 to become a fixed crest structure. It was built to provide slackwater navigation for commercial barges and towboats over 72 miles of river, including access to the Harbison-Walker refractory brick plant at Templeton, described as one of the largest brick plants in North America. The operations building, a two-story powerhouse, still houses original hydraulic pumps driven by water turbines, though its exterior was pargeted around 1990. The property is regarded as a representative example of lock and dam construction of its period, retaining much of its original design, machinery and layout.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the lock and dam are significant for their role in the Allegheny River slackwater navigation system, which gave barge access to the Harbison-Walker refractory brick operations at Templeton. It also argues the facility is a representative example of lock and dam construction of 1929-1931 that retains its original appearance, machinery and function.
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 00000402, listed April 21, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Along PA 1033, 1.5 mi. S of Templeton, Templeton |
|---|---|
| County | Armstrong County |
| Listed | April 21, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000402 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1903-1948 |
| Architect / builder | U.G.I Contracting Company (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and early 20th century revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Maritime History, Architecture, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operating; a low-head hydroelectric plant was added in 1990 and remains in operation. |
| Acreage | 35.8 |
| Coordinates | 40.89570, -79.48008 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 00000402.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4731341
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.