Lockhouse 22

End of Pennyfield Lock Rd.
Potomac, MD 20854
Click here to see directions and map.

Lockhouse 22, known colloquially as Pennyfield after its longtime lockkeepers, is exemplar of the standard lockhouse construction format. A favorite hideaway from the pressures of Washington, President Grover Cleveland often spent time fishing at Lock 22, and continued visiting after his retirement from politics. Today, it offers visitors the chance to experience life on the Canal as it was during the Antebellum Era of American history; A time of great success, but also great hardship for the peoples of the Canal.

Details

Towpath Mile: 19.64
Parking: Available
Price Per Night: $120
Time Period Depicted: 1830s-1840s
Nearest Communities: Historic Tobytown, Potomac

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Overview, Policies, and Amenties

Lockhouse Overview

The Potomac River is rife with obstacles that thwart water transportation. Rapids and waterfalls, products of the river’s elevation change, prompted C&O Canal visionaries to invest in a flat-level water route to run alongside the river. The idea was simple, but the construction quickly proved to be arduous. To bypass many of the geological obstacles, canal engineers devised unique structures such as aqueducts, lift bridges, incline planes, tunnels, and lift locks. These required the special skills of the stone cutters and masons whose work produced masonry marvels still appreciated today.

The name “Pennyfield” is a misspelling of the family name of long-time lock keepers George and Charles Pennifield. George, and then his son Charlie, operated the lock from the 1880s until it was permanently closed.

Pennyfield is a typical lock in its dimensions: 15 feet wide, 16 feet deep and 100 feet long. It is exemplar of the basic types of structures (aqueducts, locks, and lock houses) built along the C&O Canal. The furnishings in Lockhouse 22 are evocative of the mid-1830s to early 1840s period.

If walls could talk then Lockhouse 22 could tell some tales. One might hear about President Grover Cleveland who sought refuge from the pressures of the White House by coming here on fishing trips. Or, perhaps, they would tell of the lock keeper who was so drunk that he could “not act straight,”

All proceeds are used to fund the maintenance and stewardship of these historic structures, along with educational programming and outreach. Thank you for your support!

Check-In and Check-Out Policies

Check in: 3:00pm or later

Check out: No later than 10:00am.

Guests remain responsible for leaving the house better than they found it, including removing all food and evidence thereof, sweeping the floors, cleaning and returning any house dishes back to their locations, and taking all trash with them when they leave. Cleaning supplies are provided for guest use in each house. Please see the Arrival/Departure Checklist for more details.

Main Room

Place settings for 8 guests; dishes, utensils, water glasses.
Basic cleaning supplies provided (sponges, disinfectant wipes, cleaning spray, brooms.)
Basic implements for outdoor cooking.
Battery operated lanterns and/or flashlights provided.

Bedrooms

Two bedrooms each with two twin mattresses with twin trundle beds underneath.

Bathroom Facilities

Outhouse roughly 75 feet from front door.
Four additional outhouses in Lock 22 parking lot.

Nearest Water Source

Water pump at Swains Lock (Lock 21) at towpath mile 16.64 (3 miles down towpath.)
Pumps available April 15-November 15. (Shut off in Winter.)
Nearby Access to Potomac River. Water may be taken, but must be treated. Neither Park nor Trust can be held liable for non-potable water sources.