Mayor sees historic lock-and-dam complex as key to Fort Gay’s future
FORT GAY — The mayor of Fort Gay wants to spread far and wide her townspeople’s affection for a unique and historic local landmark.
“People who live around here love our lock and dam, and the lockhouse,” said Joetta Hatfield, “and we’re working on a project that will allow us to share them with everyone.”
Not many people outside the area are aware of it — at least not yet — but Big Sandy Lock and Dam No. 3 spans its namesake river between the towns of Fort Gay on the West Virginia side and Louisa on the Kentucky side.
The lock-and-dam complex was the first of its kind to be built in the United States. Similar dams, called “needle dams” because they used vertical wooden slats, or “needles,” to regulate the flow of water, had been built in Europe but never before in America.
That changed in 1897, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed work on Lock and Dam No. 3. From 1897 to 1925, it allowed riverboats and barge tows to ascend from the lower Big Sandy upstream into the river’s two main tributaries, Tug Fork and Levisa Fork, which merge about a half mile upstream.
After the corps decommissioned and abandoned the lock in 1925, it was more or less ignored. Debris and sediment collected in the lock chamber, the gates rusted and the lockmaster’s house fell into disrepair. About the only people who frequented the area were fishermen, who caught large catfish just downstream from the dam’s man-made waterfall.
The town of Louisa built an overlook so visitors to a riverside park could have an unobstructed view of the locks, but nothing was done on the West Virginia side until Hatfield took the initiative.
“It’s still not easy to get down to the locks, but it used to be even harder,” she said. “We cut some trees, we cut some paths, and we made the walk in a little less steep. Our workers try to keep the area as cleared [of brush] as they can.”
The town of Fort Gay also reacquired the cut-stone lockmaster’s house, which had been used for storage by a local resident. “We’d like to turn it into a welcome center and museum,” Hatfield said. “We recently received a brownfield grant in the amount of $5,000, which will cover the planning phase of the project.”
The first order of business, she said, will be to get the locks and lockmaster’s house declared a National Historical Site.
“We’ve already done that for the old Fort Gay High School building, and given the dam’s first-of-its-kind history, I think getting historic-site recognition for the locks will be an easy thing to do,” she added.
That, in turn, should make it easier to secure funding for improvements — creation of the welcome center, installation of safer walkways between the lockhouse and the locks, and erection of handrails to prevent visitors from falling into the lock chamber or the river.
“Eventually, we’d like to create a riverwalk around the locks,” Hatfield said. “And in our pie-in-the-sky wildest dreams, maybe even a zip-line that starts on the Louisa side and comes over the river to the West Virginia side. That’s not likely to happen any time soon, but we can hope.”
The improvements, she added, would also make the site a safer place for anglers: “The fishing is really good here, but the lock area isn’t fished as much as it could be because it’s so difficult to get to.”
All the plans for the locks’ development hinge on funding.
“It’s going to take some time,” Hatfield said. “There’s tons of paperwork to be done. If anyone out there is interested in helping the effort, all they have to do is call me, and I’ll take them on a private tour of the locks.
“I never tire of going out onto the locks and hearing the roar of the water. This was the first needle dam ever built in the United States. That, in itself, is amazing. The place is beautiful, and there’s a real sense of history about it. Other people need to experience that, too.”
Charleston Gazette mail
Those old locks, while a bit interesting, are not going to attract much tourism. Hardly worth spending money on in my opinion.
Out of curiosity, if the remains of the dam were removed, could small boats, canoes, and kayaks pass through there?
I thought the same thing? I wonder, would that add to, or take away from the historic value.
There is a passage on the Fort Gay side, if designed and constructed correctly, would allow for the passage of small watercraft without removal of the the rest of the dam structure. It is my understanding that the level of the river needs to be maintained above the locks due to the water intake for the water plant but I could be mistaken on that….
I have to disagree on the tourism attraction comments. I think with Riverwalks planned on both sides of the river and the historic locks and dam structures as the focal point, it would be a wonderful asset to both communities. Too many of our historic structures have already been demolished and with this being the first needle dam in the entire US, I think we need to be proud of that and highlight it…. Maybe then people will understand why the street is called LOCK AVENUE!!
This is an amazing story. I knew the Big Sandy was locked and dammed in years past, but didn’t know it was as recent as 1925. I’ve been to Fort Gay a thousand times at least, wont say why. 🙂
Our history is deeply based in that river, both forks. Civil War, Hatfield McCoy Feud, transport of goods before roads or railroads, and even some really good ghost stories. History forgotten is history lost. I’m proud of Mayor Hatfield in her quest, and wish her success. I did notice the story was written by a McCoy, I hope that doesn’t start the feud back up! 🙂
I’ll bet a Hatfield could have written it better! 😉 Lol
You got to think, it is a prime investment for Jetta that won’t let much come into fortgay these days. She advertises this location as a historic site. She gets loads of money!!! She just received $250,000 to build stairs and a walkway down to the locks! Now tell me who the real scavenger is????!!!???
That sure wasn’t in the article? You have proof of that I presume?
He has no proof of any such thing. For one thing, businesses aren’t exactly beating the door down to move into Fort Gay. Mayor Hatfield has done more for this town than anyone has in many, many years. She has not received $250,000 for anything. Now, she has worked hard to push the drug addicts and hookers out of town. Maybe that’s what has Jrs so upset….
Kinda wondered that myself Citizen. The Fort Gay of my day had ‘Fatman and Millies, and the Frindly Inn, and was a decent little town. I didn’t realize it had changed that much, but hell the rest of America has. What a world?
Great project idea but you’ll need other stuff too, perhaps see where Fort Gay sits along the bird migratory route for bird watching. Add a few nice trails and log benches. Mountain bike route. Hiking. Heirloom plant/farmers market promotion. (Sunnyside could probably be purchased or donated for useable space and easily accessible) for a start. Old coal mine could be historically discussed, ginseng, sassafras, different tree and plant identification along trails. Maybe build or have donated a replica of a Fort to promote historical facts. The Middle/High School and radio station. I wish you luck and prayers for success in your and the towns ventures.
I think I’ll tell a story! Some, like KAG may not like it…but I don’t care.
This is how I heard it, I have confidence its true: A survey crew made the end of the day at Louisa. They were marking the boundary between Virginia and the new state of Kentucky; West Virginia did not yet exist. It would however become a state in 1861 when WV remained in the Union. At Louisa the chief of the survey crew was contacted by some men, possibly would be KY politicians in waiting, or business men, with a vested interest? That night the crew took possession of some very fine Moonshine Whisky, and a healthy thrust thereof. When morning came, a groggy and somewhat still not exactly sober crew started off up what they were told was, the Levisa fork. Up the Tug fork they went! Millions of acres are in KY because of that little “Mix UP”. Part of Louisa, most of Paintsville and Prestonsburg and a good bit of Pikeville would today be in West Virginia. The crew foreman may have got a few $20 gold pieces, or simply a promise? Our lives nevertheless would have been a lot different one would imagine. How does that relate to this story you might ask? It all had to start at about the area of this story, where both forks come together, not far from those locks. Yes that area has great historic impotence. Thanks for noticing Mayor Hatfield.
Neat story. But, WV became a state on June 20, 1863. Not that 2 years change anything in this story.
You are correct my friend, thank you. I just assumed it was 1861. WV was the only state to succed from the Confederate States of America, KY never joined.
Rent Free
(I don’t mean to be negative.) This is all interesting, but honestly….who is going to say, “for my vacation next year, I’m planning to go visit the remains of the old locks at Louisa/Fort Gay?” I grew up here, have been to the locks once, yet have no interest in returning there. Honestly though, I’m not too much into historical things. I’d like to see the area create more outdoor activities such as kayaking, bicycle trails, atv trails, etc. I’d like to see children get outdoors and away from video games.
My friend, our interest in history is often connected directly with age, not always but often. What you like, and what an old fart like myself like might be totally different. I could see something like this on a vacation trip, you may not. That difference makes neither of us wrong, we simply have different interests. There is also no reason this place could meet both our needs, outdoor activities and history could go hand and hand, do you agree with that to some degree? I certainly agree with you about getting kids off their butts and doing something that doesn’t require an app! 🙂
I notice KAG has made another mind numbing statement.
Again Rent Free
Should we assume that has some meaning KAG?
Some of my best vacation memories aren’t of the destination. They’re of the stops along the way! I do agree that a set of locks aren’t a fascinating destination for travelers. However, if you’re driving by on vacation, I think a bit of interesting history is worth stopping for. And if you can kayak or zip line while you’re there, that’s a bonus!
Spot on my friend. People also don’t always see their own history, they go somewhere else to find some. Someone who lives there may not see anything special about the locks, while someone from elsewhere may find them fascinating! Tourists don’t usually come from home, do they?
Just can’t wait for when Fort Gay gets some grant money and KAG says ‘and Louisa still doesn’t get any money’. LOL
You have KAG figured out pretty good, don’t you! 🙂
Rent Free
For one the LOCKS will never be removed second the crop of engineers will never let that happen. I’ve fished there for over 50 years I’m hoping they don’t screw up a great fishing hole.
May God bless you Dave, I wish you another 50 years or more. You are right, ALL waterways in the U S are controlled by the Federal Government, fish on my friend! 🙂
You all make good points. Maybe a pier would be a nice addition just below the locks. It would give a better view and make a great place to fish from.
This website would sure benefit from the loss of KAG and her identical twin John Butch Preston.
I’m not sure who John Butch Preston is? We sure could benefit from a lot less KAG! I like the pier idea. Perhaps we could through KAG off it. 🙂
again Rent Free
Do you like swimming KAG?
Charles thanks you. I have been over every inch of the locks both sides and the middle pier inside the middle which was a wild adventure. I’m still fascinated with the craftsmanship for the period it was built. To this day I still see something different.
You are quite welcome my friend. Things were once built to last, they are no more. Look at homes, OSB and pine 1 1/2 by 3″, a young family buys one, and when they retire its falling down. Do you know how many locks were on the Big Sandy over the years? Seems there would have been more than one, especially in the steamboat days in our history.
There was one on the tug up by Clifford and one at Chapman be on that I haven’t a idea as that’s about as far up I’ve traveled in my boat. I would imagine there were more on both rivers.
There were 2 steamboats that sank in the Levisa fork Dave, one at Paintsville and the other at Prestonsburg. They either had more locks or they traveled when the water was up? All the shipped goods came from Ashland, and before the railroad (around 1903), goods came to our area by boat, and things were shipped out too. I think they used push boats farther up the river. The Big Sandy has a long history my friend. I’m glad some of us are actually interested Dave; when I was young I had a boat, and did some fishing myself…what a peaceful wonderful time. I would love to hear any stories you have to tell Dave.
The true value of this dam is the potential electricity that could be generated if a utility or private n.g.o could built a paddle wheel driven set of 5 to wheels 12 ft wide to adjustable shaft that could be lowered or raise running to a large generator that also was part of the assembly . Placed before the sets of concrete drums on ft gay side it could generate enough power for ft gay and Louisa . Also if boat lift was placed in the old lock after it was cleaned out you could allow small boat and kayak canoe Traffic to use upper and lower big sandy. When river was at high flood stage you just raise paddle wheels and generator up on the vertical pillons.
Joe that is an excellent plan, with one huge drawback! The Federal Government owns all streams lakes rivers etc. I have a good creek running through my property and had a similar idea (I just wanted to generate my own electricity). The U.S. Corp of Engineers put a screeching stop to my plans! I told their rep that I owned the creek, and he told me I owned the dry ground on each side, but not the creek! He even said if I built a pond at my own expense, the water in it would still belong to the Federal Government. Even if said pond was fed by a 4 inch branch, or was rain fed it was theirs, unless the water dried up, then I would own the mud! I was told no one can encumber any waterway or water reserve in this nation; although I would be allowed to fish in my pond without a license, it otherwise belonged to them. I was mad as hell, all I got was some practice in being mad. I still pay the power company for electricity! You had a great idea nonetheless.
Joe that is a good idea
I grew up listening to my granddad tell of the locks at Louisa. He was born in 1888, and lived by the river. My grandparents lived by the Levisa Fork in Lawrence County. My wife and I passed through Fort Gay this past weekend and went south on HWY 3 along the Tug to near Inez. The locks and a pier of the Chapman locks are still visible. Using Google Earth, I think one can see a remnant of the lock on Tug Fork. Several photos of the Louisa locks in operation can be found on the Internet. I think these two are the only ones build upstream from Louisa, but there were two down stream. Number 1 was just up from Catlettsburg and there is a mural of it painted on the flood wall that protects that town.