Grandfather-granddaughter duo keeps Fox Locks history alive

KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WBAY) - Flowing north from Lake Winnebago to the Bay of Green Bay, Wisconsin’s Fox River has 17 dams and locks--the last operating hand-operated lock system in the United States.

During the summer months in Kaukauna, Fox Locks tender Pat Spaay is the expert on the job.

“I grew up in Appleton, right off of Oneida Street, which is very close to Lock Number 1,” Spaay explained. “We used to build rafts and get in the lock tender’s way, and he would not be very happy with us. That old man wasn’t happy with us, and now I’m the old man of the locks, so everything comes full circle.”

Pat is celebrating his 79th birthday this month. He enjoys celebrating the history of the locks and the impact they’ve had on the state of Wisconsin.

79-year-old Pat Spaay and his granddaughter work together tending the Fox Locks in Kaukauna.

“There was an awful lot of commerce on barges, logs, coal, things that were needed up there. Once the railroad systems and the highway systems were developed in the 1900s, these kind of became a little bit obsolete by about 1950 or so and then most of the traffic went by rail or road,” Pat said.

Locks now used by kayaks, small boats

All of the locks are featured on the National Register of Historic Places, with a multi-million dollar restoration project keeping them in use today.

“We mostly get littler boats and kayaks that use the system,” Spaay said.

A family effort

Spaay had a helper this summer: his granddaughter, McKenzie.

“This is her first year, first year she’s old enough to do it,” Pat said.

McKenzie Spaay is a junior at Hortonville High School.

“Obviously this is a job, saving up for college and a car,” McKenzie said.

“Just to spend more time with him (grandpa). I don’t really get to see him that much, so it’s nice I get to spend time with my grandpa,” McKenzie said.

“I think she’s enjoying it as much as I am having her here,” Pat said. “(She) got to know grandpa a little bit better I guess.”

Intense work

While the locks aren’t always busy, the work can be intense.

“For me, maybe not for him, but it’s kind of tough, yeah,” McKenzie said.

79-year-old Pat Spaay and his granddaughter work together tending the Fox Locks in Kaukauna.

“Let’s put it to you this way, it was easier 20 years ago,” Pat added, with a laugh.

Grateful to be keeping tradition alive, while leaving their own mark on the work.

“I know it was, I think, father and son before, but I guess trying to change it up to grandfather and granddaughter and I think it’s kind of cool,” McKenzie said. “This summer, we got to see each other every weekend so it’s kind of cool.”

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