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Fricks Locks Historic District
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Old house with Limerick Nuclear Power Plant in background
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| Nearest city: | Pottstown, Pennsylvania |
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| Area: | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Built: | 1824 |
| Architectural style: | Federal, Swiss Bank House |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: |
03001188 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | November 21, 2003 |
Fricks Locks Historic District or more simply Frick's Lock is an abandoned village, along the also abandoned Schuylkill Canal, in the northeast portion of East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. This 18th century village outlasted the canal, being abandoned in the late 20th century with the construction of the adjacent Limerick Nuclear Power Plant. The village on about 18 acres of land were listed as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.[2] Frick's Locks is considered a modern ghost town, and although private property, attracts visitors.
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While some buildings date from the American Revolutionary War era, the village name was a result of the "Schuylkill Navigation" canal. The canal required construction, in the early 1820s, of a set of locks at that point along the Schuylkill River. Locks #54 and #55[3] were built on farmland acquired from John Frick and the village became known as Frick's Locks. The village thrived due to the economic stimulus of the canal. Eventually the commercial canal traffic declined toward the turn of the century and gave way to the railroad. Frick's Locks had become the singular Frick's Lock after the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad arrived and built a station with the latter name. The canal was filled in starting in 1942. While the railroad eventually declined after Conrail was formed on April 1, 1976, the village remained inhabited until near the end of the 20th century.
In the 1960s, the then Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) began the process of building the Limerick Nuclear Power Station immediately across the river from Frick's Lock. The station went on line in 1986. During the project, PECO acquired all the land around the station site, which included Frick's Lock. There are possibly conflicting stories as to the residents being bought out and relocated nearby and one that describes a 48 hour notice forced eviction. In any event the buildings were vacated and simply boarded up. There is evidence that some of the buildings were later occupied by an environmental study company retained by PECO.
The remains of Frick's Lock consist of about ten abandoned buildings. The oldest house dates back to 1757. Among the buildings is a barn that dates to 1824 and the original canal lock tender's house dated 1817. The buildings are boarded up, the area is starting to overgrow, and Frick's Lock Road has a gate across it. The property belongs to PECO's successor, Exelon Corporation, and trespassing is discouraged. There have been 4 Chester County Town Tours in the years 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2003. The walking tours were held during August on a Thursday evening. The first Town Tour included special guest historian Rich Pauley. The last three tours where with special special guest historian Leonard F. Shaner,Jr.. Mr Shaner,Jr. has true blood ties to this village, for his Late Father Leonard F. Shaner, Sr. was born here in 1929. And Mr. Shaner, Jr. is a Great Great Grand Nephew of the last Lock Keeper James " Pappy" Miller. In 1999 Paul Sumner Frick began the process to place Frick's Locks on the National Register of Historic Places. He completed everything up through the state level, after which he personally hired The Late Estelle Cremers to assist him with the process for the National Register. Together, Paul and Estelle completed this and in November of 2003, Frick's Locks was listed on the National Register of Historic Places Mr. Leonard F.Shaner, Jr., Mr. James Lockart, and Mr. William Carl and The Late Mrs. Doris E."Shaner" Ghol (who also lived in the village), were helpful in the research necessary to complete this process. The most up to date and complete historical information available on Frick's Lock Village is the book written by Paul S. Frick titled "History of Frick's Locks Volume I" And a book written by The Late Estelle Cremers "Coventry" "The Skool Kill District" .
In February 2011, The East Coventry Township partnered with Exelon Corp. to preserve and protect the historic site. Under this new agreement, Exelon will effectively donate to East Coventry Township, the land and Eleven historic structures at Frick's Lock Village valued at an estimated $1 million. In addition, Exelon will spend close to $2.5 million to stabilize and rehabilitate these historic structures.
Because of its reputation as a modern ghost town, Frick's Lock attracts many curious individuals and groups, including ghost hunters. Its isolated location and abandoned status also attracts vandals. The inclusion of the Frick's Lock in the 2005 book, Weird Pennsylvania, and numerous web photo essays of the buildings have increased its popularity. The web sites have also documented its increased deterioration, including the aforementioned vandalism and the collapse of some porch structures.
As of March 2008, Frick's Lock remains a hotbed for many thrill seekers and vandals. Interest in the area has grown since a fire destroyed the Lock Tender's House in February 2008. Since then, Exelon has made numerous attempts to clean-up debris from the property and to close-up open wells and open buildings. Vandals continue with their destruction of the buildings.
Police are now attempting to discourage the continued vandalism by citing all unauthorized people found on the property with trespassing.
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