Around 1840, James Thorn built one of the finest dry docks on the entire Ohio & Erie Canal next to this canal lock. Thorn operated the dry dock for roughly 8 years. Mr. Beatty purchased it in 1848, followed by J. Whitely in 1850, Sam Rader in 1869, and finally R. C. Soliday in 1871. By then, canal operations were already declining. Hard times forced Soliday to accept coal for repair work. He then sold the coal to the locals.

Dry docks were used to build and repair canal boats. A small basin allowed the canal boats to enter the dry dock. Outlet gates drained the water so the canal boats could rest on trestles for repair.

The Ketner Family owned the land that this canal lock was constructed on. A store was located next this canal lock. A tailrace emptied water from the Norris Mill back into the canal in this area.