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Old Lock Pump House, Chesapeake & Delaware Canal facts for kids
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Old Lock Pump House, Chesapeake & Delaware Canal
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chesapeake City, Maryland |
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| Built | 1829 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000390 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 12, 1965 |
The Old Lock Pump House is a special building located on the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. It was one of the very first places to be named a National Historic Landmark because of its amazing engineering, not just because it was an old building or a famous spot.
This pump house, which started being built in 1837, shows how the old canal used to work. The canal needed locks and pumps to help boats travel over the low land of the Delmarva Peninsula. This area is between the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. Since there aren't big rivers on the peninsula, water had to be pumped uphill to fill the canal and its locks. Later, the canal was dug much deeper, so the pumps were no longer needed. Today, the pump house is one of the last remaining parts of the original canal system.
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Exploring the Old Pump House
The Old Lock Pump House is part of a group of buildings. They are located along the Back Creek Mooring Basin in Chesapeake City, Maryland. These buildings were constructed between 1837 and 1854. They are made from fieldstone, brick, and wood siding.
Buildings and Their Purpose
The oldest building, built in 1837, is called the Old Steam House. It used to hold the first boiler and steam engine. This stone building has an asphalt shingle roof and is now used for storage.
The next oldest building, built around 1851, was the boiler house. It provided steam for the whole complex. Right next to it is the West Engine Building, also from 1851. This building holds one of the two large steam engines. Inside, strong cast iron columns support the structure. From the outside, it looks like two stories, but it's actually one big open space.
The East Engine Building is similar and was built a bit later, in 1853 or 1854. It is across from the Wheel House.
The Giant Lift Wheel
In the middle of the complex is the Wheel House, built in 1851. This building holds a huge lift wheel. The wheel is about 39 feet (12 m) tall and 10 feet (3.0 m) wide. It was made from cypress wood, white oak wood, and iron.
This amazing wheel could move about 20,000 US gallons (76,000 L) of water every minute. It spun slowly, at only 1.5 rotations per minute. It was essential for keeping the canal filled with water.
The Pump House Today
Today, the Old Lock Pump House is open to visitors. It is operated as the C&D Canal Museum. It is also known as the Chesapeake & Delaware Lock Canal Museum. The museum is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It helps people learn about the history of the canal and how this incredible pump house worked.
Images for kids
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A drawing showing the lift wheel and engine.
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A drawing of the pump house layout.