Lock 39, "Jakes"

May 2002 - This is my favorite lock in the park. It's 20' longer than most of the locks, shows remarkable craftsmanship, and has steps at the lower end. Unfortunately, trees are starting to tear the blocks apart. The dead tree overhanging the middle of the lock in this shot has since fallen in. The name is supposed to be because a lockkeeper, "Jake", was struck by lightning and killed while working on the lock one night. I won't repeat the ghost story. The park service now has a sign up at Lock 42 identifying it as Jake's Lock.