Sault Ste. Marie history

Founding and First Mentions

The history of Sault Ste. Marie is rooted in deep antiquity. Long before the arrival of Europeans, this territory, known as "Bawating" ("The Place of the Rapids"), was an important centre for the indigenous Ojibwe people. The official founding date of the modern city is considered to be 1668, when French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette established the first permanent European mission here. This makes Sault Ste. Marie the oldest city in the state of Michigan and one of the oldest settlements in the USA west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of the city was directly linked to its strategic location on the St. Marys River, which connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The following factors contributed to the formation of the settlement:

• Geography of the Rapids: The turbulent river rapids made through-navigation impossible, forcing travellers and traders to stop here to carry boats and cargo over land (portage).
• Trade Hub: Due to these forced stops, the location turned into a natural centre for the exchange of goods and news between tribes and European pioneers.
• Access to Resources: The city became the gateway to lands rich in natural resources surrounding Lake Superior, which attracted explorers and entrepreneurs.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first centuries of its existence, Sault Ste. Marie represented a unique cultural crossroads where the traditions of Native Americans and French settlers blended. The economic life of the early city was built on two main directions:

• Fur Trade: The city became a key logistics point in the fur trade, through which huge volumes of pelts destined for Europe passed.
• Fishing: The waters near the rapids abounded with whitefish and other fish, providing sustenance for the growing population and creating a foundation for local food trade.

Major Milestones in the History of Sault Ste. Marie

• 1668 — French missionary Jacques Marquette founded a permanent mission, which is considered the official founding date of the first European settlement in Michigan.
• 1797 — The North West Company built the first small lock for canoes on the Canadian side of the river, facilitating the transport of furs.
• 1820 — Michigan Territory Governor Lewis Cass signed a treaty with Ojibwe leaders, securing land transfer for the construction of an American fort.
• 1823 — Construction of Fort Brady was completed, becoming an important military post for guarding the border and trade routes.
• 1855 — The first "State Lock" opened, allowing large vessels to pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron without unloading.
• 1881 — Management of the locks was transferred to the US federal government, and the new Weitzel Lock was put into operation.
• 1887 — Sault Ste. Marie officially received city status in the state of Michigan.
• 1902 — A hydroelectric power plant was launched on the St. Marys River, which was one of the largest hydro-technical structures in the world at the time of its opening.
• 1943 — The MacArthur Lock was commissioned, built on an accelerated schedule to meet military needs during World War II.
• 1962 — The opening of the International Bridge took place, connecting American Sault Ste. Marie with the Canadian city of the same name on the opposite bank.
• 1968 — The famous freighter Valley Camp arrived in the city to become a floating museum of Great Lakes shipping history.
• 1969 — The reconstructed Poe Lock opened, the only lock in the system capable of accommodating modern super-freighters over 300 metres long.
• 2018 — The federal government approved funding for a large-scale project to build a new lock to modernize the transport system.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

The history of Sault Ste. Marie is a journey from a trading post to a key transport hub of North America. The city's economic and urban transformations are inextricably linked to its function as the "gateway" between the Great Lakes. Major development milestones include:

• Construction of the Soo Locks. The opening of the first state locks in 1855 was a turning point not only for the city but for the entire US economy. This engineering structure replaced the laborious portage of vessels over land, opening the way for the transport of iron ore and copper from Lake Superior to the factories of the Midwest. The city transformed from a transshipment point into a strategic node of global metallurgy.
• Industrialisation and Hydropower. The completion of the hydroelectric canal and power plant in 1902 marked the city's entry into the industrial era. Utilizing the elevation drop of the St. Marys River, the city gained a source of cheap energy, which attracted industrial enterprises, including calcium carbide production and tanneries, and stimulated population growth.
• Transformation of Fort Brady. The military fort, which had secured the border since 1823, lost its strategic importance after World War II. In 1946, its grounds and buildings were transferred to establish an educational institution, which later became Lake Superior State University. This is an example of successful revitalisation: a military facility became the educational and cultural centre of the city.
• Opening of the International Bridge. The commissioning of the bridge in 1962, connecting American Sault Ste. Marie with its Canadian sister city, radically changed the region's logistics. The bridge replaced ferry services, ensuring a continuous flow of automotive transport and tourists, which strengthened cross-border economic ties.
• Development of Historical Tourism. In the second half of the 20th century, against the backdrop of a decline in heavy industry, the city focused on tourism. The opening of museums (such as the museum ship Valley Camp) and observation decks turned watching giant freighters pass through the locks into an independent tourism industry, becoming a vital part of the urban economy.

Urban Development and Architectural Appearance

The architectural appearance of Sault Ste. Marie was shaped by its unique geography: the city stretches along the St. Marys River, and its layout is dictated by the location of the famous locks. Historically, development expanded from the shoreline inland. Early wooden structures from the fur trade era have practically not survived due to fires and time, giving way to monumental stone and brick buildings during the industrial boom of the late 19th century.

A distinctive feature of local architecture is the extensive use of red sandstone, which was excavated during the construction of the canals. This material gives the historic city centre a characteristic and recognisable look, uniting industrial, administrative, and residential buildings into a single ensemble.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The city's architecture clearly reflects the stages of its transformation from a military outpost to an industrial centre and tourism hub:

• Victorian Era and Richardsonian Romanesque (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)
  The period of the city's flourishing after the opening of the locks. Buildings from this time are characterised by massiveness, the use of rough-hewn stone (rustication), arched windows, and decorative towers. This style symbolised the reliability and economic power of the region.
• Military Institutionalism (1890s)
  Associated with the relocation of Fort Brady to a new site (a hill above the river). Barracks and officer housing were built from cream and red brick in a restrained, functional style with elements of Neoclassicism, emphasising order and discipline.
• Modernism and Brutalism (Mid-20th Century)
  In the post-war years, with the development of tourism and infrastructure, structures made of concrete and steel appeared in the city. This style is distinguished by strict geometric shapes, a lack of decoration, and an emphasis on functionality and scale.

Landmark Buildings Shaping the Cityscape

Several key structures serve as the calling cards of Sault Ste. Marie and visual examples of architectural eras:

• Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant
  A masterpiece of industrial architecture built in 1902. The building, approximately 400 metres long, is constructed from local red sandstone in the Romanesque style. Its endless row of arched windows and massive stonework make it one of the most impressive industrial sites in the state.
• Soo Locks Administration Building
  Built in the late 19th century, this elegant limestone building with a high roof stands out against the utilitarian hydro-technical structures, adding a park-like aesthetic to the landscape.
• Lake Superior State University Campus (Former Fort Brady)
  The historic brick buildings of the fort were carefully repurposed as academic halls. The complex on the hill dominates the city, preserving the strict military layout of the late 19th century.
• Tower of History
  Built in 1968, this 64-metre concrete structure in the Modernist style (with Brutalist elements) contrasts sharply with the historic development. Three vertical pillars symbolise the missionaries, indigenous people, and traders who played a role in the city's history.

Distinguished Figures of Sault Ste. Marie

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of explorers, cultural figures, and athletes who left a mark not only in the region's chronicles but also on a national level.

• Jane Johnston Schoolcraft (1800–1842) — Poet and Translator.
  The daughter of an Irish trader and an Ojibwe woman, she is considered the first known writer of Native American descent in America. Living in Sault Ste. Marie, she recorded and translated the legends of her people, which later inspired Henry Longfellow to create the famous poem "The Song of Hiawatha".
• Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793–1864) — Geographer, Ethnologist, and Civil Servant.
  Worked as an Indian agent in Sault Ste. Marie for many years. His fundamental works on the culture and history of the indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes became a crucial source of anthropological knowledge in the 19th century.
• John Johnston (1762–1828) — Fur Trader and Community Leader.
  One of the first and most influential European settlers in the region. His home in Sault Ste. Marie has survived to this day and is a historical monument testifying to the early era of the fur trade.
• Chase Osborn (1860–1949) — Politician, Journalist, and Explorer.
  The 27th Governor of Michigan and the only governor to reside in the Upper Peninsula. He owned and edited the local newspaper The Sault News, actively promoting the city's interests at the state level.
• Frederic Baraga (1797–1868) — Missionary and Linguist.
  Known as the "Snowshoe Priest" for his winter travels on snowshoes, he conducted active educational activities in the region. Baraga created the first dictionary and grammar of the Ojibwe language, making an invaluable contribution to preserving the local linguistic heritage.
• Clarence "Taffy" Abel (1900–1964) — Professional Ice Hockey Player.
  A native of the city who became a legend of American sports. A silver medalist at the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924 and the first flag bearer for the US team at the Olympics. The local university's ice arena bears his name.
• Terry O'Quinn (born 1952) — Theatre and Film Actor.
  Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. He gained worldwide fame and an Emmy Award for his role as John Locke in the cult television series "Lost".