Aerial view of Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

The St. Marys River rapids have been a gathering place for millennia. Although industrial transformation projects such as the Sault Ste. Marie Canal have changed the landscape, people continue to be drawn to this place.

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is managed by Parks Canada. The Sault Ste. Marie Canal, built in 1895, was the world’s longest lock, the first to operate using electricity and the last link in an all-Canadian navigational chain from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Superior. Today, the Canal is a great spot for boat-watching, picnics and a variety of other activities.

This image is a black and white aerial photo of North and South St. Mary’s Islands, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal, and Whitefish Island situated in the St. Marys River. The International Bridge and railroad bridge span the river over the islands, connecting the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA.