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Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

Highlight • Historical Site

Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

Recommended by 10 cyclists out of 11

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Location: Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

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Top cycling routes to Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

5.0

(1)

riders

1. Western Montgomery Loop

41.0km

02:31

210m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(2)

riders

2. Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Point of Rocks

34.2km

02:09

70m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3. Monocacy Aqueduct – Catoctin Creek Aqueduct loop from Potomac Crossing

51.6km

03:14

110m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Holger Kray

July 19, 2020

Mile marker 41.5

Spink’s Ferry was an established Potomac crossing long before the Canal was built. Josias Clapham licensed the ferry way back in 1757. Because the approach to his ferry landing was less convenient than a competing ferry just upstream, Clapham swayed the Virginia Assembly to approve a less expensive toll to compete.
The ferry switched hands in 1816, but didn’t become known as “Spinks Ferry” until 1833 when John Spinks bought the property. Although Spinks stopped running the ferry by the Civil War, the nearby lock and its pivot bridge used for access to the river landing became the target for retreating Confederates after the Battle of Antietam. General D.H. Hill looked to disable Lock 27 after failing to destroy the Monocacy Aqueduct upstream. Interestingly, the Canal company dismissed the lockkeeper, Thomas Walters, for collaborating with the southerners. His neighbors came to his defense, explaining that the lockkeeper pleaded with the Confederates not to destroy the lock.

Lock 27 was built mostly of red sandstone from both Seneca and Point of Rocks. You can see the rubble from the extended portion of the lock along the upstream channel. The stone lockhouse, once missing much of its front wall, has been restored.

Source: canaltrust.org

Tyler Diedrick

April 27, 2024

One of the many beautiful, old buildings on the towpath!

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Details

Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Tuesday 4 November

17°C

3°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

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Lock 27, Spinks Ferry

1. Western Montgomery Loop

2. Monocacy Aqueduct – Giant maple tree sheltering Lock 26 loop from Point of Rocks

3. Monocacy Aqueduct – Catoctin Creek Aqueduct loop from Potomac Crossing

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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