Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ships on the St. Clair
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
1. Ships on the St. Clair Marker
The St. Clair River has always been an important part of the Great Lakes system. For centuries native people traveled throughout the region in canoes, as did the early French fur traders. In 1679, LaSalle's Griffon was the first sailing ship to pass here. Father Louis Hennepin, the renowned explorer and priest on board that ship, named the river after Sainte Claire. The river's swift currents and other hazards have caused many shipwrecks through the years.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, ships and pleasure boats were built in yards along the St. Clair River from Port Huron south to Algonac. Wooden sailing ships were eventually replaced by steel freighters powered by steam and diesel. During the shipping season, freighters continue to pass here daily, bound for Chicago or Duluth in one direction, or for the Atlantic Ocean and cities all over the world in the other.
Erected by Thomas Edison Depot Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1679.
Location. 42° 59.925′ N, 82° 25.557′ W. Marker is in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of Thomas Edison
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Native Americans (here, next to this marker); Bridging the Blue Waters (here, next to this marker); Immigration (a few steps from this marker); Tom Edison at Grand Trunk (a few steps from this marker); All Aboard! (a few steps from this marker); Making Tracks (a few steps from this marker); Edison Homesite (within shouting distance of this marker); Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Huron.
Also see . . .
1. Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron MI. Port Huron Museums website entry (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. A Brief History of St. Clair MI. City website entry (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Sights and Sounds of the St. Clair River. Website homepage (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014
2. Ships on the St. Clair Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014
3. Ships on the St. Clair Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
