Stop 6: Lock #49 E
Stop 6: Lock #49 E
This is lock No. 49 E., one of the 93 stone lift locks on the Union Canal. The small size of the locks, 8 1/2 feet by 75 feet originally (1827-1855) and 17 feet by 90 feet later (1855-1884) required the use of smaller and lighter boats than were common on Pennsylvania's other canals. Directly across the stream is the mansion of miller David Gring (1803). This is the location where Mrs. Bissinger, on August 17, 1875 killed herself and 3 children.
As you continue to the next stop, look for ripples in the water, caused by the remains of a dam breast which once supplied water power to the former Wertz's Mill (1813-1898) and Kulp's Mill (1898-1916), which were located on the opposite bank.
