In the late 1960s, Chaffeys Lock became the focal point in a heated controversy about saving the heritage character of this 19th Century canal. Chaffeys was slated to undergo a modernization upgrade similar to Newboro. Local residents, many with family ties to the canal going back several generations, undertook a campaign to preserve to the canal.
Local residents initiated an amazing campaign contacting the press and local politicians arguing that the Rideau Canal was a national treasure and rather than destroying the historic structures in the name of modern efficiency the government should be preserving them. More individuals and heritage groups joined the campaign including heritage professionals from Parks Canada. In 1972, the Canadian government transferred jurisdiction of the canal to Parks Canada with the mandate to keep the canal operatioal and to preserve the heritage aspects of the waterway.
The Opinicon Hotel has links to the village of Chaffeys Lock that goes back to the 19th Century. In 2012, after over a century of operation, the resort closed its doors and was put on the block.
