Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Watery Wednesday: Locks On The River

(click all photos to enlarge)
The Walls Come Tumbling Down.
If These Walls Could Talk
No longer needed for the heavy river traffic of days gone by.
The thunderous water plunges.

Wells Lock
Elizabeth, West Virginia
2008

These abandoned locks are about seven miles from my home. I took these photos a few weeks ago so the leaves are still green and lush along the river. I'm sure my Grandpa probably fished here many years ago. I can still hear him say to Grandma, 'Mommy, I'm going to Elizabeth; I'll be back after bit.' Wells Lock was built in the late 1800's and serviced the timber and petroleum boom of the area. Today the lock provides a glimpse into this past time and while the lock is inoperable it still dams the river.

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36 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the post. Your photo histories always capture my attention and imagination -- but this time it is your music choice that thrilled me most.
Thank you.

Raven said...

Beautiful photos as always. It's so serene here Round the Bend. Thanks for that.

judi/Gmj said...

Yep, the music did it. I mean, rally, Eric Clapton! The locks are wonderful, glad they are weathering the changes of time well.

Melissa said...

i love your 3rd photo. It's so refreshing and beautiful. I could just only imagine hearing the thunderous water plunges...

Anonymous said...

Wow, these were great. I'm so glad you shared them. That waterfall one really caught my eye. Thank you for participating in Watery Wednesday! :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that last shot is thrilling! Bet it was noisy, too. Great Watery Weds. post.

Gattina said...

Nice place and interesting description !

Jientje said...

I had some catching up to do here! Wonderful watery pictures, Carletta!

Anonymous said...

They are going to put a large hole in the dam above Englewood dam here where I live and allow the water to scour out the silt that has collected over the past decades. It is a good idea to allow the water to flow with some freedom.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I'll bet those locks could definitely tell some tales. Would be interesting to see pictures of it over the years.

EG CameraGirl said...

When I see canals and locks built more than 100 years a go I wonder how many man-hours it must have taken to build it. That it still remains is also amazing!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carletta: What interesting captures of of a neat place. I love to see that old Lock on your river. I think it is better that they left it there rather then destroying it.

Becky said...

Good history post Carletta. We have locks near us too, and I can only imagine the boats floating through them so many years ago. Happy WW.

Unknown said...

I would love to have some of those rocks. I love your photos!

Leora said...

I'm glad the area can still be enjoyed, even if the industry is gone. We have a canal and locks nearby in Central Jersey that used to run products from New Brunswick to Philadelphia. Now it's a favorite place for bikers, joggers and walkers to enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I love the third one. When I enlarged it, I could see the people fishing. I wouldn't mind joining them.

Gill - That British Woman said...

excellent post and comments..

Gill in Canada

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I love going to historical places like that and just absorbing it all. I always have a movie playing in the back of my mind of what would have been taking place 100 years ago at the same spot!

Rosemarie said...

Wow - great history behind your pictures, thanks so much.

Mary said...

It certainly creates a nice little waterfall and a beautiful view! Lovely spot!

Rose said...

I sure do wish those walls could talk! I bet you could write several novels with the stories they could tell, or hint at.

Anonymous said...

This is amazing! Full of history!

photowannabe said...

Great shots of the water and its power. Love the history of the Locks too.

Jan said...

Really great photos. I especially like the last one, it's full of energy.

Neal said...

I've always like pictures with water in them even though I'm not what I would call a "water" person.

marLou said...

Lovely post to read. The rushing water looks so refreshinh.

Anonymous said...

A most interesting post and some impressive photos.

As for the question about the sures, well ... and if one is allowed, it's plain and honest to say that for a person like you anykind will go, but since you are a walker I would advise for those photo trips some Timberland, Rockport or Camel Active ... for a trip to the mall, maybe some high heel boots! :)
But that's only me ...

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos Carletta, and yes what a history those walls could tell. Thanks for such an interesting post.

Mary-Laure said...

I love the reflections of the light in the water in your pictures of this river.

Rambling Woods said...

Beautiful and nice that you care enough to document for all of us..

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Awesome Photos!!! Thanks for the tour of your Lock! Thanks for stopping by my place. Take Care!!

Sherrie

Dr.John said...

Bits and pieces of the past always interest me. Locks came and went as did whole towns and neighborhoods. Thanks for sharing this bit of history.

Connie T. said...

I like your pictures of the old locks. Nice water pictures.

Mojo said...

Reminds me of Linville Falls in our mountains here. Except the Linville River couldn't have been used for shipping purposes. At least not the part that reminds me of this scene.

The sound of those falls is awe-inspiring though isn't it?

Wish this meme ran on a day when I wasn't already full-up... I've got a bunch of shots that would qualify, but Wednesday's around my blog are already too confusing to keep up with! Maybe if somebody starts a Watery Friday... Or better yet Saturday!

Janice Thomson said...

These were neat to see as we don't have locks in BC although there may have been some decades ago. Great photos.

Anonymous said...

A wonderful visual feast. Photographing is so peaceful for the soul, isn't it? Water and rocks attract me, too. Enjoyed this very much.