Following the Snowshoe Trail - Historic Sites in Sault Ste Marie Michigan

The Fourth of July holiday gave us an extended weekend and an opportunity to get a little farther away from home.  So we packed our bags and headed north to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Sault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in Michigan (established in 1668). In French its name means “The Rapids of St. Mary”.  Here on the St. Mary's River is where the Soo Locks are located.  The first lock was built in 1797 but was destroyed during the War of 1812.  A replacement lock wasn’t built until 1855.  The Soo Locks are favorite tourist attraction and it is a great place to see freighters close to shore - and it's free!

Freighters on the St. Mary's River near the Soo Locks

Soo Locks - View to the East

Refer to my Blog Post on the Soo Locks for more photos and information by clicking on the following link:     

Soo Locks

The “Soo” (that’s what we call it), is rich in history.  Included in my “list of things to do at the Soo” is the walking tour along the Historic Water Street area.  We begin by following the white-stenciled snowshoe prints on the city sidewalks. 

The snowshoe trail passes by the iconic Tower of History.  There is an entrance fee to this attraction ($7 adult).  We take the express elevator up 21 stories to the top for a view of the Soo's skyline. There are a couple of outside observation decks and an enclosed observation deck. 

Tower of History

Interior Observation Deck & Exhibit Room

View of the Ship Museum Valley Camp

View of Brady Park

View to the East

When we are done at the top, we return to the main level and watch a 15 minute video on the “History of Sault Ste Marie”.  I recommend taking the time to watch this informative video - I learned a few new things about Michigan!  Located on Historic Water Street are four of the buildings where the early leaders mentioned in the video lived and worked. 

There is an admission fee to enter these four historic structures (Kemp Industrial Museum/Kemp Coal Dock Office, Baraga House, Schoolcraft’s Indian Agency Office, and the Johnston House).  The hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m. beginning with the last Friday in June through Labor Day. 

The season is right but our timing is wrong.  It is late afternoon when we begin our walking tour.  So, we only see the exterior of the buildings and peek through the windows. 

The first historic structure is the green single-story building called the Kemp Industrial Museum or the Kemp Coal Dock Office.

Kemp Coal Dock Office & Museum

N ext to it is the red, two-story Bishop Frederic Baraga House. He was known as the “Snowshoe Priest” because he pursued his missionary work even during the harsh winter months using snowshoes to travel across the snowy landscape. 

Bishop Baraga's House

Then we see the Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's Indian Agency Office. This Federal Style building was built in 1827 and is nearly 100 feet in length. 

Schoolcraft's Indian Agency Office

The last historic home is the John Johnston House.  His knowledge on the Great Lakes region made him a central figure in the development of this frontier town.  The original house was burned in 1815 but this surviving portion was erected in 1822.

John Johnston House

Just down the street, we see a short light tower.  The Frying Pan Island Light was originally located just off the shore from Detour Village.  Constructed in 1882, the tower is 18 feet high and operated for 106 years.   It was moved to Sault Ste Marie in 1988.

Frying Pan Island Light

As we walk closer to the waterfront area near downtown, we arrive at Old Fort Brady (1820-1893). It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1956 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.  It was here at this hillside park where we watched the fireworks being launched over the St. Mary’s River between the “twin” Sault Ste Marie’s (Michigan and Ontario, Canada). 

Fireworks Display as seen from Brady Park

Exhibit Sign Sketch of one of the Fort's Blockhouses

Replica of Fort Fence

For more information on Sault St. Marie’s historic sites, click on either of the following links:

Sault St Marie Historic Sites

PDF Map of Sault Ste Marie MI

Sault Sainte Marie is a good-size town with plenty of lodging and dining options to suit any taste and price range.  To help plan your trip to Sault Ste Marie, click on the following link:

Sault Ste Marie Visitors Bureau