Part of the Fox Locks series, this set of caches is intended to bring about an awareness and appreciation for the For River Lock system, including Appleton Locks 1 thru 4, which were historically restored in 2007 and part of the initial Lock'n'Key series, while Little Chute and Kaukauna locks will be added to this series in the near future. These 17 locks in the Fox River lock system, will again allow navigation downriver from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay - not possible since the locks closed in 1982.
The previous version(s) of Fox Locks caches are being replaced to take advantage of the trail-side signage that has been in place now for over a year. There is a sign at GZ, but I suspect it will be replaced with something a little more historical like the others once restoration is complete. For now, I am going to use one of my favorite blogs as the information source.
I have always wondered about this house along the trail, that is until the sign appeared describing the historic nature of it and the future efforts to bring about its restoration. So intrigued was I that I stopped by to chat with the contractor who won the bid to restore it and even volunteered my tuck-pointing and general carpentry skills to assist in the process. Since I have a soft spot for these old places I decided to sneak another Fox Lock cache in along the trail to pay tribute to the Lock Keeper and also don my hat to the city for listening to the Fox River Navigational System Authority whose foresight in saving and restoring all of the lock keeper houses along the waterway, despite the cost of doing so, is worth it for the sake of preserving our unique history and sharing our unique heritage.
Ten of what had been at least a dozen Lock Keepers’ residences remain in place along the historic waterway between Menasha and De Pere. B (-1) of them are cited as contributing elements to their districts in a multiple-property NRHP listing, “Waterway Resources of the Lower Fox River, 1850-1941
Constructed between 1EFC and 19AF, the houses are integral to the lock sites along the Fox including Appleton Locks 1 and 3, and D other locks. All are unoccupied, and in most cases have been for sa few decades. Their mothballed status has contributed to their deterioration, and they have become targets for vandalism due to their relative isolation.
The Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) is at about mid-point in the process of returning the locks of the Lower Fox River to operation and now would like to take the steps necessary to secure the future of the former keepers’ residences. In taking measures to protect them from further deterioration, the FRNSA proposes to (1) complete roof and foundation repairs, (2) repair exterior walls by tuckpointing, repairing and replacing materials in-kind, and painting, and (3) complete hazard materials abatement (lead and asbestos).
The FRNSA eventually plans to rehabilitate the houses to function as important interpretive or hospitality features along the operational waterway. Anticipating the restored locks and canals will provide a significant enhancement to tourism, the presence of these integral and historically significant houses will lend character to the navigational system and provide multiple, related attractions along its route.
Final Cords are N44°15.ABC W88°23.DEF