Sault Ste. Marie in Algoma District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Spirits Rising

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024

1. Spirits Rising Marker

Inscription.
Historically, Sault Ste. Marie was the centre of early trade and the crossroads of North America. Over the years people from many nations settled here blending together to form the unique culture of our City with Algoma Steel, the lifeblood of the community.

When our City was shaken by the tides of recession and the winds of economic change, the community action team was created. Made up of hundreds of volunteers from management, labour and the community, these dedicated citizens joined hands and together helped restructure Algoma Steel.

Spirits rising symbolizes the unfailing spirit of these people and what can be accomplished when we work together today to create a better tomorrow. Knowing that the very heart of our City will continue to live on, we rejoice with “Spirits Rising”.

Joan Marie Foster
Author

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 30.618′ N, 84° 20.351′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in Algoma District. It is on Saint Mary's River Drive 0.3 kilometers west of

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Bay Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker and monument are located along the St. Marys River Waterfront Hub Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 Saint Mary's River Drive, Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 5V4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Area

and in Northern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Anna Jameson (a few steps from this marker); William Henry “Bill” Orazietti (a few steps from this marker); Edison Sault Electric Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Roberta Bondar Park (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The St. Marys River / La rivière Sainte-Marie (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Algoma Central Corporation

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024

2. Spirits Rising Marker

The marker is mounted in the center of the open metal and glass kiosk.

(approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Passenger and Packet Freighters on the Upper Great Lakes (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Dr. Roberta Bondar (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Also see . . . Algoma Steel (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Algoma Steel was founded in 1901 by Francis Clergue, an American entrepreneur who had settled in Sault Ste. Marie. The company is a traditional blast furnace based steel maker that is building an electric arc furnace to produce steel with a lower carbon footprint.
Algoma Steel has been privately owned several times, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange at least three times; and has been a subsidiary or affiliate of Canadian Pacific Limited (1980s), Dofasco (1988-1991) and Essar Group (2007-2017). Reflecting the challenging environment for Canadian steel makers, Algoma and its predecessor companies have been financially restructured at least four times. Algoma first was in receivership following the Great Depression in 1932; while in recent decades it emerged from bankruptcy protection in 1992 and 2004, and was in creditor protection again in 2015-2018.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024

3. Spirits Rising Monument
Looking north along the St. Marys River Waterfront Hub Trail.

In May 2021, it was announced that Algoma "was to become a public company again" as it had agreed a merger with New York–based acquisition firm Legato Merger Corp, which is a NASDAQ-listed special-purpose acquisition company. Following the deal, Algoma listed its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the third time.
Algoma currently is the second largest steel producer in Canada. It is the largest employer in Sault Ste. Marie and currently has 2800 employees at the main plant. Algoma now produces hot and cold rolled steel (i.e. sheet and plate). Algoma's products are used in the automotive, construction, energy, manufacturing, pipe and tube, and steel distribution industries.

(Submitted on May 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.