This last week I spent time in the always colorful Appleton, Wisconsin. I was hiding out at the beautiful and historic Fox Locks! All the while, I was chatting with my friend Bob from 103.9 WVBO trying to get some lovely listeners to "find" ~Yours Truly.
Funding was approved in 1838 to begin improving the 150,000 acres of land. Initially, the intention was to use the lock system to facilitate the movement of military troops from the Great Lakes to the Western frontier. This was ten years before Wisconsin was even named a state!
Dams were needed to move commerce up and down the river. Prior to the lock system, the rapids on the river could be quite dangerous and the locks became the best method for controlling water levels making transporting goods much easier.
All seventeen locks have been under some form of restoration or rebuilding period since they were first built over 150 years ago. The Fox Locks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places; therefor they will (and should) always be preserved.
Currently, the Locks are fully functional! They are certainly worth a visit! Not only does it give you an appreciation and a different perspective on Wisconsin history, but it is a great place to take the family! Kids can enjoy learning about the history of the Locks as well as how they work. There are hands on activities and you can even have the chance to open the lock gates! Fun and learning for the Kiddos and an amazing view of Wisconsin that even a Professional Sconnie like myself could never get sick of.
