Stepping Back in Time ~ Lock 60 | Montgomery County, PA

[@jennsylvania1633]

I enjoyed this visit way more than I thought that I would. If you're ever in the area, I strongly suggest that you check it out!

[@jscott4431]

I live only 10 minutes away from Lock 60 and been there many times to fish, kayak, hike, etc. Sometimes I forget how nice it is to have this in my backyard. Glad you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for the video!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi J Quite often we don't fully apreciate that what's close by. It's a really nice park and I plan to visit again soon. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@fivehorizons5295]

So interesting, it’s amazing how we used to move cargo back in the day. I’m glad we care enough to preserve these places so we can learn our history. Thanks for showing us!

[@jennsylvania1633]

I always enjoy peeking into the past and trying to imagine what life must have been like years ago. Yes, hopefully more areas like this will be restored. Thank you for watching!

[@TrailsandTribulations-to1ks]

Such a great spot for a walk through history...love it there!!!!

[@jennsylvania1633]

yeah, iy really is a nice park that's full of history. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@therestlessgardener9287]

I loved this area for a easy walk on a nice day. The locktenders house is just beautiful. Thanks for checking it out!!!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hiya Restless Gardener! It's a nice park for sure and I plan to get back there again soon to hike the Neal Thorpe trail. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@cherylszewczyk2463]

This is so cool. 😊

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@cherylszewczyk2463 Hi Cheryl! It really is a neat place to visit. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@marcb1779]

Good morning, wonderful historic adventure. Just amazing the work that was done to create the canals that were used such a short period of time. Thanks for sharing todays travels. Marc

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@marcb1779 Hi Marc! Short lived but at the same time, pretty remarkable. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@TheFeralFemale130]

totally awesome! i loved visiting that spot!

[@jennsylvania1633]

It is a really nice place to visit. It has something for everyone. Checking out your video now!

[@TheFeralFemale130]

@@jennsylvania1633 that working lock was my favorite part. Next time i wann do the neal thorpe trail:)

[@jennsylvania1633]

@@TheFeralFemale130 same : )

[@IceBearHalfwayPoint]

Cool place! Tell the truth, now... you were gonna jump in that water! 😂 Jk. The lock tender's house was neat to see. You're only 5 subs away from 1,000 subscribers!!! Congratulations!!! 🎉😁💚👊

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi IceBear Yes, I absolutely would love to jump off! Provided of course the water was warm and I wouldn't get hauled off to jail afterward...lol 5 more to go! So close, but yet so far away 😂 Thank you, my friend!

[@WALTERZOLNA]

Great video @Jennsylvania . I have been to lock 60, I thought it was interesting but you really showed me that I need to go back. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for history, older buildings , and the remnants from times past. I thought when I saw the title you were for sure going to do the Neal Thorpe trail! I always say it, but its interesting how everyone has there perspective and some people look for history, some nature, some a combination etc... The lock tenders house looked like a beautifully restored building very nice. Thanks for posting this video and sharing all of your adventures I really appreciate the work you are doing. Oh and by the way a preemptive congratulations on 1K subscribers you are doing awesome!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Walter! I was actually planning to hike the Neal Thorpe Trail, but my friend Debbie, who was with me, read that it involves quite a bit of elevation and climbing. I’m okay with that, but she has some health concerns, and I didn’t want her to push it. I'll have to check out your video hiking it and maybe plan another trip out there. I originally started the channel with the idea of making hiking videos, but I’m finding myself increasingly drawn to exploring our state's history. Who knows-tomorrow’s video might even be about eating cheesesteaks! 😄 I guess I’m not quite ready to define the channel yet. Still stuck at 995... I think you might have jinxed me! Just kidding. Thank you for the encouragement-it’s really appreciated.

[@daleshisler2955]

Interesting. Some Canals in this area were short lived. I know the Reading railroad opened a line along the river in mid 1800 that would have competed for canal traffic, most of which would have been coal out of Schuylkill county. That lock tender house is really nice! Thanks for the look around. I’ve never visited this place.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Dale! if you have the chance, I suggest that you visit this place. It's a really nice park. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It's much appreciated!

[@olddudeonthetrail72]

Auuugh, you made me nervous walking out on those gates 😧 Very nice house! I guess the house came with the job. Would you have wanted that job? I'm thinking he probably worked 6 days a week and had to be ready for action from sunup to sunset. P.S. Hey, I see you're almost to 1000 subscribers, Jenn, nice job!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi John, NO, I would most definitely not want that job...lol. Especially after reading that they had to handle disputes between boat operators. I'm stuck at 995 ...lol...but I'm thinking I'll get there eventually. Thank you for the encouraging comment.

[@Florian-Art]

Nice location

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hello, my friend! Yes, it's a cool little park! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!

[@TravelHungryForLife]

Yes very nice have a wonderful week cheers

[@jennsylvania1633]

thank you, my friend! Hoping you have a wonderful week as well!

[@amerphoto1]

Up in our area of Central New York, we have remnants of the old Erie Canal that ran from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. Many of the local lakes are manmade lakes that supplied water to the canal. We also have active locks up north along the northern ends of Seneca and Cayuga lake that connect to the active part of the Erie Canal. It is very interesting to watch boats come into the locks and then see the lock flood to the level of the next section of the canal. It's very popular for boaters to go from one lake to the next. Daniel

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Daniel! "watch boats come into the locks and then see the lock flood to the level of the next section of the canal." That would be so cool to witness. To be honest, I didn't think there were locks still in operation. I might just have to head north to Central NY one of these days. : ) Thanks for watching, my friend

[@amerphoto1]

@@jennsylvania1633 What you would really enjoy is Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises in Lockport, NY. You get to cruise through the locks on the Erie Canal. It was fun when we did it back a few years ago. Plus, there are so many wineries to go visit! Daniel

[@jennsylvania1633]

@amerphoto1 that sounds like so much fun. I'll have to add it to my list!

[@JohnDillon-s4l]

Canal locks are so neat! It's weird to think how narrow they are. There's some restored Susquehanna/Tidewater canal locks and the ruins of another lock, lock tender house, retaining wall and supports for an old covered bridge just south of Holtwood Dam in York County. Cool spot to visit. There is a map of the area...I believe it's on a website dealing with the canal.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi John! Yes, they are quite narrow. I'm thinking if they weren't it would probably have been more difficulty to elevate the water levels. I'll have to look into a visit of the ruins you mentioned in York County. I'm always looking for places to explore. Thank you!

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

I liked seeing the kids fishing here. It's interesting how these old canals still are being used for fishing, recreation and history. I thought the lock tenders house looked like it was still in excellent shape and being nicely maintained.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Sara! Oh yeah, this place is well maintained and offers something for everyone. Thank you for watching! By the way.... I'm lovin' your new logo. Very professionally done.

[@hikingoutdoorfamily]

@@jennsylvania1633 Thank you. I hired a freelance designer on Fivver to create it for us.

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

The still filled mossy water is the basin for the Canal in the lock lifts.

[@jennsylvania1633]

makes sense....thanks!

[@quietjohnoutandabout6578]

When I first encountered the locks, I didn't know why the river wasn't used for the barges. Just didn't get the concept. It took a while to understand. The canal has a lot of history, for sure. I wouldn't have minded being a lock tender living by the river. Thanks for the cool place visit

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi John! Oh yes, definitely was a fascinating place to explore. Being a lock tender sounds nice, but I'm thinking they were responsible for settling disputes. That I wouldn't enjoy...lol Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

In Norristown PA at the bridge above Norristown PA at Norristown Transportation Center is the SEPTA 100 High Speed Line that had trolleys leading to Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton PA from your other video.

[@jennsylvania1633]

You have an incredible knowledge of the area!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

Correction the Reading RR's Black Rock Tunnel goes over the Canal below as adding when your coming into the Park behind you and across the road the PRR you cross under the PRR. NS now operates on the PRR. If memory serves me correctly Reading RR and its Black Rock Tunnel I think may between Kelly Drive in Philadelphia and may cross I 76 to reach crossing the Canal.

[@jennsylvania1633]

You have an amazing memory, my friend. Thank you for your comments!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

As when your on the trail in Philadelphia opposite AMTRAK/SEPTA 30th Street Station to the east side of the Schuylkill River was location of the B&O RR Station opposite Market Street Bridge.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Thanks for sharing that! The trail around 30th Street Station has such a rich history, especially with the old B&O Railroad Station location by the Schuylkill. It’s amazing to think about how much rail infrastructure shaped Philadelphia, and it's cool that some remnants of that history are still visible today.

[@Holly-xn2qz]

Oh cool place. And with the leaves turning all colors. How beautiful. Im surprised any lockes are left because we destroy everything to make more mondern.

[@jennsylvania1633]

well, thank God, some people still care about preserving what once was in our country. This park is very well maintained, and I expect will be a nice place to visit for years to come. Thank you for the comment, Holly. Your support of my videos is very much appreciated.

[@jillj8665]

Yah, the green plants in the bottom are probably duck weeds, if it have little leaves with a tangle of roots that is what it is, kind of like a micro lily pad, otherwise might be moss, hard to tell from far away. The locks were a way to equalize the water levels between runs, depending which way the barge had to go, they would close the doors and either fill or let water out with valves (thats the structures you were looking at) to continue their journey, the part where it stopped was probably filled in with earth, it would continue. Mules would walk down the tow path pulling the barges with ropes.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hey Jill! Is this, my friend Jill from back in the day?

[@jillj8665]

@@jennsylvania1633 Perhaps, or this Jill from another timeline in the future, cough

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

This Canal starts off the wye of the Delaware Canal south of Philadelphia in the area of the Airport as canals headed north towards the Lehigh Valley as the Manayunk Canal and Schuylkill Canals leads towards Reading PA. Lock 60 if memory of the area is correct follows the past Reading RR AKA Lebanon Valley Railroad as the Pennsylvania Railroad goes over the Canal. Up the street as your walking out of the Park turning right is the train station to your left side as your entering Phoenixville PA. In that area as we leave Bala Cynwyd PA on the PRR has the cut line east side of the Reading SEPTA Norristown line was where PRR took trains to reach Valley Forge to reach Quakertown to reach Allentown PA.

[@jennsylvania1633]

You, my friend, have a ton of knowledge and a phenomenal memory. I learn from your comments, and I thank you for that. : )

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

1882 The Phoenixville & West Chester Railroad was begun in 1882, extending 11 miles from Frazer to Phoenixville where it was planned to join the Schuylkill Valley Branch of the PRR on August 1, 1883 this line was opened for operation.

[@jennsylvania1633]

That is fascinating history! Thank you!

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

Lock 60 was built in 1839 and expanded in 1846 as the Reading Black Rock tunnel was built in 1835-1837.

[@JamesLove-wm6ye]

In Pottsville PA serviced both by SEPTA and Pottsville Transit is at the train Station was the Reading Railroad as the PRR line is the Trail along the Schuylkill River that both lines lead to Reading PA. The Reading RR were friends with the Vanderbilt's that worked against the PRR Management and PA Democrats.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Thank you for sharing that interesting background on Pottsville and the history of the railroads! There’s so much depth to the connections between these old lines and their historical relationships-always fascinating to learn more.

[@KK-jj7zi]

Boatman disputes a little road rage on the canal back in the 1800s All the infrastructure to support the workers and animals must have been big feed food shelter repairs businesses all along the way long gone thanks for the vid

[@jennsylvania1633]

I'm thinking that there were a lot of disputes and being a lock tender was probably a pretty dangerous occupation. Lots of remnants along these old canals. Thank you for watching, my friend!

[@KK-jj7zi]

You are welcome

[@susanbissell6319]

I think that is algae instead of moss, but I could be wrong.

[@jennsylvania1633]

Hi Susan, I believe that you are most likely correct. Thank you for watching, my friend!