Gretchen's Lock
Location submitted by: sdonley on 02/05/2025
DBA Approved: Y
PANICd#: 2146
| This lock (lock #41) along the form Sandy and Bever Canal has a legend about a little girl who was once buried here. |
Ware Rd.
East Liverpool , OH 43920
Open to the public: Yes
Lat:
Lon:
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 5
Evidence: 0
Resources: 5
Retrievals: 43042
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
A network of canals and locks that extended seventy-three miles, beginning in Bolivar, Ohio, and ending in Glasgow, Pennsylvania, the Sandy and Beaver Canal connected the Ohio and Erie Canal to the Ohio River. It received a charter in 1828 and completed its construction nearly two decades later. From the year 1852 onward, it ceased all of its operations. In spite of the fact that it was only in operation for a very short length of time, the Sandy and Beaver Canal was an extremely important factor in the transportation of products and resources throughout the region during its peak years. Trade and commerce were made easier as a result of its construction, which connected rural areas to larger markets and contributed to the economic development of the settlements that were located in the surrounding territories.
The building of the canal system relied on the labor of close to two thousand workers. Despite the fact that they were only paid a minimal pay per day, they were responsible for making their own housing arrangements, which resulted in the establishment of a number of shantytowns along the canal while it was being constructed. The closure of the canal system resulted in the growth of several of these communities, but many were unable to exist thereafter. As the economy shifted and new transportation methods emerged, these once-thriving shantytowns began to decline. Many former workers sought opportunities elsewhere, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and hardship that still echoes in the region today. Along this canal, you can still find ruins of the former lock system. There were 90 locks along the Sandy and Beaver Canal. One that still exists is lock #41, also known as Gretchen's Lock.
Added by: sdonley on 02/16/2025 DB#:682
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_and_Beaver_Can...
Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location.
The legend surrounding this lock has roots going back to the mid-1800s. The legend states that the construction of the canal system requested the engineer E.H. Gill's assistance. He, his wife, and 7-year-old daughter boarded a ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean to come to the area, but on one stormy night during the crossing, waves came onto the deck of the ship and washed Mrs. Gill overboard. The ship never found her, leaving her lost at sea. This left Mr. Gill with the challenge of not only being in charge of the construction of the canal system but also caring for his young distraught daughter, who just lost her mother in a horrific accident. As the days turned into weeks, Mr. Gill struggled to balance his responsibilities, often finding solace in the quiet moments shared with his daughter, who clung to the memories of her mother. Together, they navigated their grief, forging a bond that would become their greatest strength in the face of adversity.
Young Gretchen often stayed in the care of some of the older women in the small shantytowns and encampments while the two worked on the canal system, but nothing made her happier than going to work with her father and spending time on the construction sites. She was so well loved that most of the workers considered her to be somewhat of a mascot, and they looked forward to her cheerful and curious little personality when she would arrive during the workday. Her laughter would echo through the busy sites, lifting the spirits of everyone around her. As she helped carry tools and handed out cold drinks, her father's pride in her blossoming independence was evident, and together they created a bond that flourished amidst the hard labor.
Mr. Gill, a perfectionist, would not tolerate mistakes or insubordination by his workers. He would often fire those who showed up for work intoxicated or took too many breaks during the day. It seemed like the only thing that could curb his sharpness with his workers was little Gretchen's presence, happiness, and love she would share with her father.
Malaria would proliferate during the canal's construction. The dank conditions of the camps, being located along the river, and the hot, muggy summer days would just lead to breeding grounds for mosquitoes that would very easily transmit among those who were in the area. Unfortunately, young little Gretchen became one of these victims. They brought in a doctor to attempt her rescue, but it proved futile. She became too frail and was not able to recover from her illness. She begged her father on her deathbed to bury her with her mother. Being so young, she did not realize that there was no "official" grave site for her mother. All she saw was the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.
As the darkness of her demise fell over the encampments, Mr. Gill made the decision to create a tomb in Lock #41 to temporarily place her casket until his work was finished. When he was done, we would then retrieve her casket, and they would return back to their homeland, where he would give Gretchen a proper burial.
When the canal system was finally completed, Mr. Gill fulfilled his promise by retrieving Gretchen's coffin and boarding a ship to return to Europe. Again, during the crossing, severe storms came upon the ship, and the entire ship was lost this time to the sea, taking not only Gretchen to be with her mother but also Mr. Gill to be with his wife. The tragedy of their loss echoed across the waves, leaving behind a haunting silence where dreams once flourished. In the hearts of those who knew them, the memories of Gretchen and Mr. Gill would forever remain, a poignant reminder of love, sacrifice, and the unpredictable nature of fate.
There are those who hike out to Gretchen's Lock. Some individuals, including historians, paranormal investigators, and thrill seekers, trek to Gretchen's Lock to witness and experience the alleged haunting of a little girl who spends her days wandering and dancing around the lock. People have seen her all over the area. Some have reported hearing her singing; others have reported her crying. Some have also reported feeling cold spots move through them as if something was reaching out for a hug from an unearthly little girl. The stories surrounding Gretchen's Lock have sparked a fascination that draws numerous visitors, eager to capture a glimpse of the spectral child or perhaps even communicate with her. As night falls, the atmosphere thickens with anticipation, and the whispers of those who have come before fill the air, creating an eerie yet enchanting ambiance that lingers long after the sun has set.
Added by: sdonley on 02/16/2025 DB#:1651
Source(s):
Various Sources
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, your account must have contributor access or higher.
| Claim# | Claim |
| 3575 | The apparition of a little girl has been seen in the area.
Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3576 | The sounds of whispers and faint singing has been heard.
Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3577 | Investigators have recorded EVP and EMF readings in the area.
Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3578 | Cold sports have been felt by many within the area.
Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3579 | The sounds of a little girl have been heard and recorded crying. Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley |
Paranormal evidence is based on claims that have been reported for this location. There can be several types of evidence; however, we have grouped them based on media type for better organization. Here you will find evidence that are logs, audio, video, or photographic.
To add evidence for a claim, you must submit it to PANICd.com for approval to be entered into the database.
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This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Columbiana County Hauntings & Legends – Ohio Exploration Society | Information about the haunting. |
| Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley | |
| Explore Gretchen’s Lock with top names in the paranormal field | News, Sports, Jobs - The Review | EAST LIVERPOOL — The Friends of Gretchen (F.O.G.) and The Ohio Paranormal Investigation Team (O.P.I.T) are encouraging people to attend Gretchen Fest where th |
| Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley | |
| The Legend of Gretchen’s Lock - Sir Storia | One such legend is of E.H. Gill, canal engineer and his daughter Gretchen. According to the legend E.H. Gill, his wife and daughter were traveling from Europe… |
| Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley | |
| The Sandy and Beaver Canal | Information about the canal and the legend. |
| Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley | |
| Shadowlands Haunted Places Index - Ohio | Information about the legend. |
| Added: 02/16/2025 By: sdonley | |
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