Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Heavy traffic on Portage Avenue

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023

1. Heavy traffic on Portage Avenue Marker

Inscription. In 1845, the Independence became the first steam vessel on Lake Superior.

Arriving below the falls in 1845, the 105 foot long vessel was hauled out of the water and portaged nearly a mile around the falls and re-launched above the rapids.

The Independence traveled back and forth across the lake, loading freight in Sault Ste. Marie and returning with copper and iron ore.

Using little more than rollers and sheer force, it took seven weeks to haul the 105 foot long Independence one mile overland to bypass the rapids. The route it took is along today's Portage Avenue, just outside the fence.

The Independence sank a mile west of here on November 22, 1853 when its boilers exploded. Several people died and a newspaper report claimed the vessel and its cargo were "reduced to atoms".

Erected by US Army Corps of Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 22, 1853.

Location. 46° 30.11′ N, 84° 20.989′ W. Marker is in

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Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in Chippewa County. It can be reached from West Portage Avenue near Ferris Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Upper Canal Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 West Portage Avenue, Sault Sainte Marie MI 49783, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s 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: Cornerstone for new technology (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana Harbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Walter J. McCarthy Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Mesabi Miner (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar B. Speer (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023

2. Heavy traffic on Portage Avenue Marker

American Integrity (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Marys Falls Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Propeller from tug Marquette (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024

3. Heavy traffic on Portage Avenue Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on August 26, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.