Sault Ste. Marie in Algoma District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Powerhouse, 1900
Views to the Past
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La centrale électrique, 1900
Images du passé
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024
1. Powerhouse, 1900 / La centrale electrique, 1900 Marker
This view of the past reveals a dramatic change in the lock design mid-construction. In the original design, hydraulic power was to be used to operate the lock. But hydraulic power was susceptible to cold, slowing down the locking process. So, in 1893, the decision was made to switch to electric power. The inside of the Powerhouse was redesigned to become an electrical power generating station. The electrical wires running out of the bull's-eye window tell the story — the original design didn't account for these wires.
[image caption] Lock structure looking west, 1900
Cette image du passé révèle un changement majeur dans la conception de l'écluse en milieu de construction. À l'origine, l'écluse était censée fonctionner grâce à la puissance hydraulique. Mais les systèmes hydrauliques étaient sensibles au froid et ralentissaient le processus d'éclusage. C'est pourquoi en 1893, la décision fut prise de passer à l'électricité. L'intérieur du bâtiment fut repensé afin de le transformer en centrale d'énergie électrique. Les câbles qui sortent de la fenêtre
this page online
[légende de l'image] La structure de l'écluse du côté ouest, 1900
Erected by Parks Canada / Parcs Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 46° 30.783′ N, 84° 20.917′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in Algoma District. It can be reached from Canal Drive half a kilometer south of Huron Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located along the interpretive walkway at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Canal Drive, Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 6W4, 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 the Great Lakes, on Lake Superior’s North Shore, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024
2. Powerhouse, 1900 / La centrale électrique, 1900 Marker
Looking west along the Sault Ste. Marie Canal; the lock and historic powerhouse are in the background.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Opening and Closing the Gates / Ouverture et fermeture des portes (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Waterfront / Les Rives (about 120 meters away); Canal Under Construction, 1894 / Le canal en construction, 1894 (about 120 meters away); The Sault's Industrial Heritage / Le patrimoine industriel du Sault (about 120 meters away); A National Historic Site at the Sault / Un lieu historique national au Sault (about 120 meters away); 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden (about 150 meters away); The All Canadian Waterway (1895-1959) / La voie navigable entièrement canadienne (1895-1959) (about 150 meters away); Equality and Multiculturalism / Égalité et multiculturalisme (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.
Also see . . .
1. Power House (Parks Canada).
Excerpt: The Power House is a very good example of a building(Submitted on May 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)associated with the construction and operation of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada, commencing in 1889, and illustrates the theme of the development of the Canada’s transportation network during the later 19th century. The first ship passed through the locks at the Sault in September 1895, and most of the canal buildings were completed by 1896. The complex of buildings is a very good representation of the transformation of the town from a small community to a modern industrial centre.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 20243. Powerhouse (south/canal elevation)
The Power House is valued for its very good aesthetic design, as exhibited though its highly eclectic styling based on the Classical tradition. The building’s very good craftsmanship is evident in its two-storey red sandstone construction and hip roof, and in its limestone quoins and window surrounds and sills. The stone pediment over the south façade, arched windows, oculi, and window pediments all testify to the classical styling of office and public buildings of the 19th century. The excellent functional design of the Power House is evident in the interior layout, as well as in the unique exterior adaptation of the building,situated on a hill to increase the flow of the water directed through the turbines.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 20244. Powerhouse (northeast elevation)Access limited due to restoration in progress.
2. Historic Powerhouse building to undergo significant structural stabilization (Parks Canada).
Excerpt: The Sault Ste. Marie Canal was the longest and first electrically operated lock in the world when it opened in 1895. It was the last link in a 3,500 km all-Canadian waterway stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the western tip of Lake Superior. It was designated a national historic site in 1987.(Submitted on May 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is undertaking a large revitalization project of its Historic Core. This area refers to a cluster of heritage buildings made up of the Carpentry Shop, Stores Building and Blacksmith's Shop, as well as the Powerhouse and surrounding landscape.
Funded through the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022, work to the Powerhouse building has begun to improve the long-term sustainability and function of the historic asset. The Powerhouse building allowed the Sault Ste. Marie Canal to be the first electrically operated lock in the world and is the reason for the designation as a national historic site. This heritage building is undergoing significant structural stabilization work to remediate its deterioration, largely through groundwater mitigation efforts and other improvements including conservation, rehabilitation, and construction initiatives.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
