Welcome to Lock 24 of the First Welland Canal.
Constructed between the years 1824-1833, but officially opened in 1829, the First Welland Canal comprised of 40 small timber locks throughout it's 28 mile length to Port Robinson and eventually onto Chippewa and the Niagara River.
This lock was filled in after it was no longer needed due to the rerouting, deepening and widening of the First Canal, to now be considered the Second Welland Canal in 1845.
In 1985, the city of St. Catharines was looking to sell this parcel of land to a nearby business, however the Welland Canals Preservation Society investigated the area, and concluded that it was a historic site, and requested an archaeological investigation take place.
During May and June of 1987, a group of archeologists, aided by local volunteers, excavated the site of the former lock. They had found that the preservation of the wooden locks were amazing due to them being protected from the natural elements, thus preventing them to decay.
Following the group's investigation, the lock was filled in again to prevent any further degradation and yet all that is evident today, is a nearby plaque and some of the old locks wooden members are exposed above the grass line.
Have fun and happy caching!