Sister Cities of Sault Ste. Marie

Sister Cities of Sault Ste. Marie

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They’re called the Twin Soos, but far from identical, the same-named cities in Michigan and Ontario share some traits, yet have distinctive personalities.

The St. Marys River connects Lakes Huron and Superior and forms the international border between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, which are often referred to as Sister Cities or the Twin Soos. Connected by the 2.8-mile International Bridge, the cities have much in common, from their founding to the shared waterway, development of the shipping industry and the navigable locks linking the Great Lakes.
Soo Canada is larger, with a population of about 75,000 compared to 13,000 in Michigan’s oldest city. Beyond size, there are obvious differences between the two nations historically and culturally. But their commonality starts at the river.

“The water is why we’re all here,” says Linda Hoath, executive director of Michigan’s Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Centuries before French explorer Etienne Brule arrived in 1623, the area was a gathering place for the Ojibwa, who fished the river and called the site Baawaaating, the place of the rapids.

In 1668, Father Jacques Marquette established the first permanent mission settlement on the south side of the river and named it Sault Ste. Marie, honoring the Virgin Mary. “Sault” may have been derived from a French word for leap or jump, in reference to the 21-foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. As the fur trade and other commerce grew, so did the need for an alternative to portaging increasingly larger vessels to bypass the rapids.

Locking through

By 1855, the United States constructed the first lock, followed in 1881 by the Weitzel Lock, which was replaced in 1943 by the 800-foot-long MacArthur. The Poe Lock, completed in 1896, was rebuilt in 1968 and expanded to 1,200 feet long and 110 feet wide. A long-overdue third lock is now under construction, but is years from completion. All major shipping passes through the U.S. locks, which amounts to about 7,000 vessels and 86 million tons of cargo each season. The single Canadian lock, at 253 feet long, 51 feet wide and 44 feet deep, handles recreational traffic.

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Soo Locks Visitor Center, open May through October, explains the operation, history and importance of the locks with models and exhibits, and there’s an elevated platform for viewing the freighter traffic “locking through.” On the last Friday in June, the public is invited to walk across the locks at the Army Corps’ Engineers Day Open House.

The popular Soo Locks Boat Tours in Michigan and Ontario’s Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours offer two-hour excursions that allow you to experience being lifted and lowered by millions of gallons of water to travel between the Great Lakes.

Kyler Reattoir, harbormaster of Soo Michigan’s George Kemp Downtown Marina, says that the top attraction for boaters is cruising the engineering marvels. “It gives them a chance to poke their nose into Lake Superior. It’s very simple going through the locks. The Canadian lock is what we recommend,” he says. “It’s much faster and smaller.”

It’s also possible to paddle kayaks, canoes and paddleboards through the locks, either on your own or on guided outings. Jodi Wizauer, manager at Bird’s Eye Outfitters in Soo Michigan, says that experience is the adventure company’s most popular, and not difficult, “as long as you’ve paddled before and are comfortable being in a kayak for a length of time, it’s a blast.”

For the best view of the area, climb the Tower of History, located right behind George Kemp Downtown Marina. The tower rises 210 feet in the air, giving visitors a 360-degree view of the Sault Locks, the St. Mary’s River and more. The lower level of the tower features museum exhibits offering a local history lesson.

Soo much more

Beyond the Soo Locks, both cities offer activities and attractions for a wide range of interests throughout the year.

In Michigan

Harbormaster Reattoir recommends visiting the Museum Ship Valley Camp, a 550-foot freighter that was active on the Great Lakes from 1917 to 1966. Check out the crew’s quarters and 100 exhibits including the Edmund Fitzgerald memorial, with two lifeboats on display from the freighter that was lost with all 29 crewmembers in a Lake Superior storm in November 1975.

Bird’s Eye Outfitters’ Wizauer says the adventure company offers more than tours; it’s a destination in itself. Part retailer of silent sports gear and part café, it’s a place to grab a bite to eat, sip a smoothie, tea, coffee or adult beverage, and catch local live music. The lifelong resident is upbeat about recent changes she sees in her hometown.

“Younger people are coming and wanting to experience something outdoors-centric,” she says.

And while there are still souvenirs to be found, Wizauer sees a shift away from so many touristy stores. “There are more cool, unique, locally owned shops and artist studios. It’s been blossoming, especially after COVID.”

Tourism Director Hoath agrees: “Young people are coming back to Sault Ste. Marie, and they’re opening up businesses. People are working together to make a different community. It’s fun to watch.”

One of those new ventures is the transformation of a neglected motel into The Ash, a modern mix of boutique vacation rentals. Alekz and Jim Jorgensen based their concept on places they’ve stayed during years of travel before returning to the Upper Peninsula. The renovation resulted in half the number of rooms but more spacious accommodations, decorated with vintage furniture and eclectic artwork.

“The Ash is not just about reviving a classic 1950s gem,” Alekz Jorgensen says. “It’s about embracing the character of the past while bringing it to life.”

Top: Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Vistors Bureau
Middle: Saulthistoricsites.com
Bottom: Bird’s Eye Facebook

saultstemarie.com

Resources

The State of Michigan Welcome Center and Ontario Travel Information Centre are staffed and well-stocked with brochures and maps.

 

MICHIGAN

Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Assoc.
UPTravel.com

Sault Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
saultstemarie.com

 

ONTARIO

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie
saulttourism.com

The North Channel
thenorthchannel.ca

Marinas

MICHIGAN

George Kemp Downtown Marina
saultcity.com/parksrec

ONTARIO

Roberta Bondar Marina
saultstemarie.ca/bondarmarina

saulttourism.com

saulttourism.com/richard Jones

In Ontario

Richard Jones, marketing specialist for Ontario’s Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, says that visitors, particularly from the American Midwest, like to head north, cross the bridge, and see Canada. “They find it relaxing; a different vibe,” he says.

Top spots for absorbing Canadian culture and heritage are the Art Gallery of Algoma, featuring paintings by the Group of Seven art collective; the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre with two dozen aircraft; and the Ermatinger Clerque National Historic Site, which interprets life along the St. Marys River more than 200 years ago.

The Agawa Canyon Tour Train is an all-day excursion into the Canadian wilderness, from June through fall color season. It’s a 114-mile scenic ride north through dense forest past lakes, rivers and granite rock formations to Agawa Canyon Park, which is accessible by rail only.

Outdoor adventurers find opportunities to hike, paddle, rock and ice climb, bike, fish and ski within a short drive of the city. Even in the downtown area, you can fish the St. Marys River from the water or the riverside boardwalk’s fishing platforms. Urban hiking options include the non-motorized John Rowswell Hub Trail, covering about 15 miles through seven districts. The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is the starting point for the short, easy Attikamek and Whitefish Island trails, where birds and wildlife are at home.

Indigenous tourism

The 22-acre Whitefish Island has historical significance to First Nation communities as an important meeting place for commerce and trade, says Brad Robinson, co-owner of Thrive Tours. He and Amanda Cora launched their eco-tourism company to share their love of the outdoors and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture through interpretive guided tours: Canoeing, kayaking, hiking and snowshoeing.

“We start tours with putting tobacco on the ground, to create a connection by giving to the earth,” he says.

Offered year-round, each outing is an opportunity to share Indigenous philosophies and information about foods, skills and traditions, including Powwow etiquette. The Paint & Paddle tour allows kayakers to interpret what they have seen and experienced in a painting workshop with a local Indigenous artist.

“We want to teach about built-in respect for the land and water, and do so with great intention,” Robinson explains.

Métis Tours offers an Indigenous-focused two-hour walking tour or combination walking and paddling outing on the St. Marys River on the 36-foot Big Canoe, which accommodates 12 paddlers. All tours are led by Métis interpretive guides.

Eats and treats

Soo Ontario’s large Italian population explains the city’s wealth of pasta and pizza places. Locals recommend the Cavaliere family’s Giovanni’s and Fratelli’s restaurants. Ernie’s looks like the retro coffee shop it was, but now dishes up a changing menu of elevated diner food from local and seasonal ingredients. The international food scene includes Vietnamese dishes at Sunset Noodle House and Pho Max.

Indulge in a butter tart, a favorite Canadian dessert. At The Queens Tarts, the flaky pastry is filled with a choice of dozens of flavors such as pecan, whisky maple candied bacon, raisin and spiced apple bourbon.

Visitors to the Upper Peninsula are called Fudgies, for the amount of rich and creamy fudge they tote home. Get yours at Alpine Chocolate Haus or Zak & Mac’s.

When in the U.P., eat pasties, a mix of meat and root vegetables baked in a solid but tender crust from Yooper Pasty Company. Lockview Restaurant has been serving Lake Superior whitefish since 1945 (seasonal). At The Antler’s, the whitefish platter is served under the eyes of a couple of hundred animal mounts. Burger fans argue which retro drive-in is better: West Pier or Clyde’s. Try both and decide while watching the river traffic cruise by.

Sault Ste. Marie is the gateway to some of the best cruising grounds around and is a paradise for outdoor adventures year-round.

Top to bottom: Saulttourism.com/Colin Field; Saulttourism.com; Thrive Tours; Métis Tours Facebook; Zak & Mac’s Facebook; Yooper Pasty Facebook

saultstemarie.com

Source: https://lakelandboating.com/sister-cities-of-sault-ste-marie/

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