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History of Locks Timeline

(c. 4000 BCE–Present)

The history of locks traces the development of security devices from ancient wooden pin mechanisms to sophisticated digital and biometric systems used today. Less

Go to: Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early St. Marys River locks

Canadian St. Marys River lock built

1798

The first lock built in the St. Marys River was constructed on the Canadian side in 1798 by the Northwest Fur Company to facilitate the fur trade.

Canadian lock destroyed during the War of 1812

1814

The Canadian lock in the St. Marys River was destroyed by Americans in 1814 during the War of 1812, disrupting British trade.

Erie Canal construction

1824

The Erie Canal was constructed in central New York State in 1824. Along with the first Soo Locks, it formed part of the major infrastructure engineering projects of the antebellum United States.

Canadian lock opens

1895

A Canadian lock opened in 1895 as part of the canal facilities on the St. Marys River.

Canadian lock rebuilt

1987

The Canadian lock that opened in 1895 was rebuilt in 1987.

Canadian lock dimensions recorded

1987

The rebuilt Canadian lock is 77 metres long, 15.4 metres wide, and 13.5 metres deep.

United States Soo Locks

State Lock construction begins

1853 - 1855

Construction of the State Lock began in 1853 as part of the development of the United States Soo Locks.

State Lock completed

1855

The State Lock, built between 1853 and 1855, became one of the early locks in the American Soo canal system.

First locks opened

1855

The first locks were opened in 1855, establishing a navigable route around the rapids of the St. Marys River.

First U.S. Soo Locks iteration completed

May 1855

The first iteration of the United States Soo Locks was completed in May 1855.

State of Michigan operates the Soo Locks

May 1855 - 1881

After completion in May 1855, the first iteration of the U.S. Soo Locks was operated by the state of Michigan until control was transferred to the U.S. Army in 1881.

Weitzel Lock construction

1873 - 1881

The Weitzel Lock was built between 1873 and 1881 directly south of the State Lock.

Weitzel Lock enters federal operation

1881

The Weitzel Lock became the first lock at the Soo to be operated by the federal government.

Poe Lock construction

1896

The Poe Lock was built in 1896 as a major addition to the Soo Locks system.

State Lock replaced by Poe Lock

1896

The State Lock was replaced by the original Poe Lock in 1896.

Original Poe Lock completed

1896

Engineered by Orlando Poe, the original Poe Lock measured 800 feet long and 100 feet wide, making it the largest lock in the world when completed in 1896.

Louis Carlton Sabin supervises the Soo canal

1906 - 1925

Louis Carlton Sabin served as general superintendent of the ship canal at the Soo from 1906 to 1925.

Davis Lock built

1914

The Davis Lock was built in 1914 at the Soo Locks.

Weitzel Lock decommissioned

1919

The Weitzel Lock was decommissioned in 1919.

Sabin Lock named for Louis Carlton Sabin

1919

The Sabin Lock was named after Louis Carlton Sabin, who designed both the Sabin and Davis locks.

Sabin Lock built

1919

The Sabin Lock was built in 1919 as a twin lock to the Davis Lock.

Weitzel Lock replaced by MacArthur Lock

1943

The Weitzel Lock, decommissioned in 1919, was eventually replaced by the MacArthur Lock in 1943.

MacArthur Lock construction

1943

The MacArthur Lock was built in 1943, eventually replacing the decommissioned Weitzel Lock.

Modernization and replacement

Saint Lawrence Seaway opens

1959

The opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway made passage by larger ships to the Great Lakes possible, creating the need to enlarge the Poe Lock.

Soo Locks designated National Historic Landmark

1966

The Soo Locks were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Poe Lock rebuilt

1968

The Poe Lock was rebuilt in 1968 to accommodate larger ships after the Saint Lawrence Seaway opened.

First passage after Poe Lock rebuild

1969

The first passage through the rebuilt Poe Lock was made by the Phillip R. Clarke in 1969.

New lock project groundbreaking

Jun 30, 2009

Groundbreaking for the new lock project was held on June 30, 2009.

Sabin Lock decommissioned

2010

The Sabin Lock was officially decommissioned in 2010 at the same time as the Davis Lock.

Davis Lock decommissioned

2010

The Davis Lock was officially decommissioned in 2010.

Sabin Lock replacement Phase One begins

May 2020

Construction on Phase One of the replacement of the Sabin Lock started in May 2020.

New lock slated for completion

2030

A new lock is under construction and is slated to be completed by 2030.

Key Facts

  1. The earliest known locks appeared in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago, using wooden bolts and pins.
  2. The Romans improved lock design by introducing metal components, wards, and the first widespread use of keys made from iron and bronze.
  3. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, inventors such as Robert Barron, Joseph Bramah, and Linus Yale developed more secure tumbler and pin-tumbler locks.
  4. The modern cylinder lock, including Yale's pin-tumbler design, became a major standard for residential and commercial security.
  5. Today, locks include electronic keypads, magnetic systems, smart locks, and biometric technologies such as fingerprint and facial recognition.

Source

This History of Locks timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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