Blacksmith's Shop, Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

The red sandstone bedrock was transformed into essential structures. Functional buildings, like the Stores Building and connected one-story Blacksmith’s Shop, didn’t get the same decorative limestone elements as the more public buildings. Nevertheless, the structures all have a tangible connection to the land they are on.

The Powerhouse, Carpentry Shop, Stores Building and Blacksmith’s Shop form the operational heart of the lock and canal. The Stores Building and connected one-story Blacksmith’s Shop, shown here, along with the nearby Carpentry Shop, provided space for fabrication, maintenance and storage of custom equipment and supplies. Much of the metalwork for the canal was made on site, including most of the machinery in the Motorhouses. As a continuous workspace since the late 19th century, the demands on the buildings continue to change. The Stores Building, built for storage, now houses an exhibition space, while the Blacksmith’s Shop is now the Visitor Centre.

In the picture, a Parks Canada employee is ready to welcome an adult with two young children into the Visitor Centre. The red sandstone building has large rectangular windows with multiple panes of glass.