LOCK 27-
INCORRECTLY NAMED
What has become incorrectly known as Lock Twenty-Seven is in
reality the Port Maitland Lock. As with much in history one error
begets another. Whether we call it by its correct name or by some
other, this lock played an important part in the development of
Haldimand County.
Until it was constructed circa 1842
there was no direct passage from Lake Erie to the upper Grand
River. For that matter there was no direct passage from Lake
Ontario to Lake Erie via the original Welland Canal. The trip was
a long and cumbersome route from Port Dalhousie, (Now a part of
the city of St. Catharines) up the escarpment to Port Robinson,
then easterly to the Niagara River where oxen along with other
beast of burden dragged the vessels along the Canadian shore to
Fort Erie; only then setting them free to sail on their
own.
Prior to 2003, when a number of volunteers
commenced a clean up the lock had sat collecting garbage from both
humans and Mother Nature. It had become overgrown and for the most
part hidden from view. Progress has been slow, but steady. Hope
remains to have it and the seven hundred foot section west of it
dredge or dug out. Suggestions have been advanced that the Port
Maitland, “On the Grand” Historical Association should lease
the property from the County and work towards the possibility of
having gates replaced into it. Of course these gates would be for
historic display only!
Today the lock is lined with
memorial benches; the debris is gone, but there remains a constant
demand to maintain and improve on our yet early efforts. Notice
the hydro metering station in Figure # 2. It has now been removed
along with most of the poles, ridding the lock of much of
twentieth century clutter.
|
Before
Cleanup Sept 26, 2003
2009
Spring Cleanup
Kisok
Sept 1, 2009
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