Songo Lock

Songo Lock (HM14DG)

Location: Naples, ME 04055 Cumberland County
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Country: United States of America
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N 43° 55.928', W 70° 34.616'

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Inscription
This lock, originally built of stone masonry in 1830, was a vital link in the 50 mile long waterway from Portland Harbor to Harrison at the head of Long Lake until the advent of the railroad in 1869. At one time 100 "canal boats" were engaged in freighting lumber out and supplies in through the waterway. These boats were 65' long and were towed by horses and oxen through the canal, sailed across the lakes, and poled up the Songo River. A total of 27 similar locks were constructed in the canal to compensate for the 260 foot difference in elevation between Sebago Lake and sea level. Traces of the old canal, abandoned since 1872, can still be seen at various places between Sebago Lake and Portland. This lock remains as a service to pleasure boats and a reminder of a bygone era.

1791 - Canal Considered
1821 - First Maine Legislature granted a charter to Cumberland and Oxford Canal Corp. to dig a canal from Waterford to Fore River. Survey made and cost estimated at $130,804
1823 - Second Legislature gave a grant of land and authorized a $50,000 lottery (which netted $37,000).
1825 - The Canal Bank of Portland was chartered with a capital of $300,000 with a provision that 25% of its stock be invested in the Canal Company.
1828 - Work started.
1830 - Work complete, total cost $206,000. Canal Bank took mortgage for balance.
1857 - Canal Co. sold for $40,000.
1872 - Last boat had passed through canal. From "Sebago Lake Land" H.G. Jones

Details
HM NumberHM14DG
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, September 14th, 2014 at 10:06pm PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)19T E 373426 N 4865543
Decimal Degrees43.93213333, -70.57693333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 43° 55.928', W 70° 34.616'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds43° 55' 55.68" N, 70° 34' 36.96" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)207
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 1500-1698 Lock Ln, Naples ME 04055, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

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