Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elmwood
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
1. Elmwood Marker
Appointed Indian agent in 1822, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793-1864) requested that the government provide a suitable structure to house the agency. Obed Wait, designer of Michigan's territorial capitol in Detroit, directed the construction of this building. Nearly 100 feet in length when completed in 1827, the Federal Style building originally had a two story central unit flanked by two single story wings. While at Elmwood, Schoolcraft, explorer and ethnologist, collected materials for his pioneering works on Indian culture which scholars still use. These inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha". Charles T. Harvey lived here during the mid-1850's when he supervised the building of the canal and locks at Sault Ste. Marie. Elmwood's substantial alterations during the past 150 years reflect its varied uses and inhabitants.
Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number HB6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 46° 29.941′ N, 84°
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Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and on Lake Superiors South Shore Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Johnston House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Johnson Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Street Names, Our History (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Chevalier DeRepentigny (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The King's Grant (about 700 feet away); First Mission Church (about 700 feet away); St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral (about 700 feet away); Fort Brady (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.
Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places
Elmwood was added to the NRHP on February 25, 1974.
— Submitted January 4, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
2. Elmwood Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
3. Elmwood
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023
4. Elmwood
A view through Elmwood of the St. Marys River shows the central unit flanked by one of the two single story wings as described on the marker.
Photographed by Beal Brothers, 1855
5. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Photographed by John Garman, August 23, 2024
6. Elmwood and Marker
This view is looking east on East Water Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 6. submitted on September 2, 2024, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
