Lock and Dam centennial, Part 3 of 3

 A few more photos from yesterday. We'll start down by the river and end with some final thoughts.

Here are a couple of the old lock itself, or its remains.

I'm an old coot -- sometimes too nostalgic for my own good. While the people up on the bank ejoyed the food and socializing, I stood alone down by the river, lost in thought. I heard steam and whistles. I saw paddlewheels and Pittman arms. I heard water pouring through the wickets. And I saw people of a hundred years ago working the locks,or families in the houses up the hill.

From time to time I imagine myself back in, say, 1946 or earlier, wondering what my parents and grandparents saw. I think about the changes in the landscape and its people since then. It's an exercise of the imagination, and it's also a recognition that as each generation passes we lose memories of how regular people lived. Some things, places and traditions we have today are worth preserving. Some aren't. I hope the younger generations make wise choices between the two.

Lock and Dam 27 centennial, Part 2 of 3

 Here are a few photos from yesterday's centennial celebration of Lock and Dam 27 on the Ohio River, organized by the Rome Township trustees and HomeTown Love-Rome. There was a cruise-in and live music. There were vendors and food trucks. It was part of an effort to remind the community of the nice park there at Mile 301 and of improvements that could come.

More photos in Part 3.