This canal lock was constructed before many of the others on the Hocking Valley Canal. It was intended to be used as a guard lock. The engineers had determined that the canal would enter the Hocking River nearby and use it as a slackwater for a short distance. The plans were changed before this section of the canal was opened. It was then converted to a lift lock, which explains the unique shape.

Since this canal lock was constructed at an early date, it sat unused for a period of time. A local farmer decided to use it as a sheep pen until the canal was filled in.