County of district: Lee County
Location of district: Water St., Keokuk, Iowa and the Mississippi River across to Hamilton, IL.
"The main lock was constructed from 1952 to 1957 and is 1,200 feet (366 m) long and 110 feet (34 m) wide with a lift of just over 38 feet (12 m) and large enough to handle a full-length tow of barges. It was put into operation in 1957 at a cost of 13.5 million dollars. The 1957 lock replaced a 1910-1913 lock. The 1913 lock was a variant of the standardized Panama canal design and was 110 feet (34 m) wide, 358 feet (109 m) long and 57 feet (17 m) tall with a 40 feet (12 m) lift. There was a 130 feet (40 m) wide, 463 feet (141 m) long and 20 feet (6 m) deep dry dock at the site, both the dry dock and 1913 lock were dewatered in 1977 when a sheet pile and cell closure were built blocking the upstream sides of the lock and dry dock.
"The Sidney of the Streckfus Line, with Captain Streckfus and 405 passengers on board, and the tow boat G. W. Hill
The lock and dam, as well as the rest of the river, can be viewed from a distance on the Observation Deck of the Keokuk Rail Bridge." ~ Wikipedia
"The 160.47-acre Lock and Dam No. 19 Historic District is made up of two
navigation lift locks, a dry dock, two power plants, a nonnavigable dam, and 32
associated resources. The oldest resource in this district was built in 1870 as part
of the Des Moines Rapids Canal. A general contractor and numerous subcontractors
built more than half of the main features of this district between 1910 and 1914.
Since May 31, 1913, the district has been in continuous use as a part of the Upper
Mississippi River 6-Foot Channel Navigation Project and after July 3, 1930, the
Upper Mississippi River 9-Foot Channel Navigation Project. Although significant
features associated with the operation of the navigation system have, by necessity,
been added and subjected to continuing maintenance, upkeep, or replacement throughout
these 85 years, the district looked the same for 40 years (1913-1953) . Between 1953
and 1957, contractors demolished about half of the features of the historic complex
and built in their place, as part of the new 1,200-foot-long lock construction
project, about a quarter of the extant features of this district. Neither this new
lock nor its appurtenances contribute to the historic character of the district.
After the new lock was completed and a visitors center added, the district entered
another 34-year era (1961-1995) of no obvious visible change. The two 1995 additions
to the complex were both appended to a noncontributing resource—the new lock. As
noted in the original 1976 Nomination Form, and still true more than 20 years later,
"The major structures included in this nomination—the dam and powerhouse, the old
lock and the drydock [sic]—are in original condition with no major modifications to
the basic concrete structures."! However, no preservation measures have been taken
except for the 1978 addition of a sheet pile, cell closure wall upstream from the old
lock and dry dock and a rock retaining wall at the downstream end of the old lock.
These two features ensure that the old lock and dry dock will not be flooded should
their original gates fail, and allowed the Corps to dewater both historic structures.
The two dams also ensure that the over all bank-to-bank structure continues to
fulfill its function in creating a slackwater navigation pool upstream from it
regardless of the level of deterioration of the old lock and dry dock. The resources
contributing to the historic character of this district are in good condition. 2
Moreover, although the district is adjacent to downtown Keokuk, Iowa, and just
upstream from Hamilton, Illinois, the steep bluffs on either side of the river, the
river itself, and the historic Keokuk and Hamilton Railway and Highway Bridge's
position between the district and the new highway bridge have conspired to keep the
district's overall setting the same as it was in 1957 and its feeling the same as in
1948. Therefore, the district retains integrity of location, design, materials,
feeling, and association." ~ NRHP Nomination Form