Back Road to Sheep Pen Lock

Now that the weather has been improving it’s hard to stay at the house on the weekends. The kids and I decided to take the back road home after some time spent at a local flea market. Here in Southeast Ohio there is so much history and many interesting things to discover if you know where to look. We took a gravel back road that followed the old canal route which lead us to Sheep Pen Lock. There is a small area that you can pull over and park to get out and walk around the lock.

Sheep Pen Lock is just one of the 27 locks that existed when the Hocking Canal was in operation. The canal opened in 1843 and operated until 1889. How different things would have looked over a hundred years ago. The Hocking Canal would have gone throughout town bringing goods from many different places. The kids and I had fun imagining what it would have been like to live then and how our lives would be impacted by slow travel. No next day deliveries!! If you’re looking for more information on the Hocking Canal contact or visit the Hocking County Historical & Genealogical Society.

Where is the past hiding in your area? Get out there this week and find it!