SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – Sault Ste. Marie means “the Rapids of Saint Mary” in French. The Saint Mary’s River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron, and it is along the banks and on the river that visitors find much of what makes a getaway here so special. No matter what brings people to the “Soo”, the sight of 1,000 foot long Great Lakes freighters, called “lakers”, which make their way through the locks will be a lasting memory. The Soo Locks are a major attraction, and the river is just a block from Portage Avenue.

Another feature of downtown Sault Ste. Marie is the distinctive architecture and several historic structures. The Chippewa County Historical Society History Center is housed in an 1899 building that originally housed the Sault Ste. Marie News. Next to that, on the corner of Ashmun Street and Portage Avenue, is Island Books & Crafts. This is another historic building that was the Sault Savings Bank. That housed the Traverse Bay Woolen Company.

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Then there is Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s historic hydroelectric plant. The building is impossible to miss. It’s nearly a quarter mile long, and has been in operation for more than 100 years. It is the longest horizontal shaft hydroelectric plant in the world, and has been in operation since 1902. The Chippewa County Court House building must be seen to be appreciated. We just don’t build them like this anymore.

There is a lot to do. Here is a short list: Tower of History, S.S. Valley Camp, River of History Museum, Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway, Hiawatha National Forest, Brady Park, Minneapolis Woods, Voyageur Island Park. Winter fun includes Snow Tubing, I-500 Snowmobile Races, and ice fishing.