Four Locks - 1905

The community of Four Locks rose out of the canal’s establishment of four locks (47-50) and associated business where the canal took a short cut through Prather’s Neck. Construction work took place from February 1836 through May 1839. Family names included Flory, Flynn, Snyder, Meyers, Taylor, Fernsner, Bower, Mouse, Hart, Mosier, Crawford, Prather and Hassett. The last two families played prominent roles at the founding of the community and held leadership roles at various times (Mastrangelo). (A more thorough history of the village can be found at The Community of Four Locks)

When the canal closed in 1924 Four Locks lost its economic importance and the community began to decline. It is now a center for recreation for boating on the Potomac River and hiking and bicycling on the towpath.

In addition to the canal, the scene includes the book wagon of the Washington County Free Library, the first county-wide book delivery in the country. The entire journey to Hancock and Four Locks from Hagerstown involved a day traveling. On the second day the book wagon visited the farms and homes in the area, and returned to Hagerstown on the third day. From the wagon stopped outside a house in Four Locks we learn that the people of this community had the opportunity to borrow books from the library in Hagerstown.