The Changing Landscape of Lock 2 in Akron, Ohio

The history of a canal doesn’t stop when the canal is abandoned. As long as the canal, or parts of it are present, what happens after maintenance stops becomes part of the story.

Canal historians have been aware of this and have been keeping track of the changing landscapes. By finding a vantage point and returning year after year to document the site, the changes to the landscape can be recorded. And if the canal or lock or aqueduct is gone one year, well then, at least it was documented for the future generations.

Terry Woods worked in Akron and was able to document the changes to Lock 2, mostly from West State Street, between 1964 and 1986. He also wandered down to the locks and took a couple shots of what was to the north.

1964- Lock 2 in Akron
1967
1980- Terry labeled this one as “destroying the lock.” Maybe he thought that they were.
1982- This was from the south side. You can see the West State bridge and another building that is no longer present.
1967- looking north from lock. The building appears to have been built over the canal route.
1986

This last one is from Google Maps. I “drove” over West State and looked south. The changes are remarkable.

If I run across any more in the Woods collection I will be sure to add them to this post.