Sault Ste Marie’s history has always revolved around the rapids. The story of industry, life, and labour in this city begins with the whitefish, moves on to the fur trading empires, the industrial giant created by Francis Clergue, and the canals that are the lifeblood of commerce on the Great Lakes today. The story follows the struggles of the working classes as he builds the canal, and later, adapts to industrial mechanization. It ends with the modern day output of steel, and the end of the twelve hour day.

Follow along as we take you through the history of life and labour in Sault Ste Marie, using old photographs and paintings to see the Sault through the eyes of people who came before.

Meeting point

49 St Mary's River Dr,  49 St Mary's River Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6G9, Canada

End point

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, 1 Canal Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6W4, Canada