Famous Visitor & Early Boat Tour

Last summer, we took our family on the Soo Locks Boat Tours and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Yesterday I read of an earlier visitor on a sight-seeing trip.

In 1832, Sault Ste. Marie had a visit from the French writer Alexis Tocqueville. His reactions to the Great Lakes shows his amazement at this wonderful area.

According to the itinerary for Tocqueville's trip, "While in Detroit, they visited the nearby Michigan territory's prison. Changing their plans, Tocqueville and Beaumont turned around heading once again for the northwest. As they boarded the ten-year old touring steamboat,, the "Superior". The vessel was taking on the first sight-seeing cruise to Ssault Sainte Marie so passengers could view Lake Superior.

I learned about this as I am reading an interesting book by Jerry Dennis called The Living Great Lakes. Dennis is a Michigan author who writes eloquently about our area and the Great Lakes.

I wonder if there was someone in the Sault to make fudge for the visitors in 1832?

Marion Strahl Boyer Exhibit

The month of October features an exhibit of the photographs of a Soo resident, Marion Strahl Boyer. A story of her work recently ran in the Grand Rapids Press, U.P. Photo Pioneer.

Marion Boyer's work offers a look at the UP during Great Depression but it has much more than that. She was hired by Life Magazine as one of the magazine's first women photographers. She was assigned to Life's Hollywood bureau and then transferred to New York. This gave her an opportunity to photograph some of the biggest stars and political figures of the time.

Soo residents will remember Mrs. Boyer as a English teacher at Sault High but she had an exciting career before coming to the Soo.

There will be a Meet-the-artist Reception at the Alberta House on October 11.

Studebakers Restaurant

You won't miss Studebaker's Restaurant if you drive down the I-75 Business Spur. The yellow Studebaker out front will easily catch your eye.

Our family has a tradition of Sunday morning breakfast there. Often after our church services, we head to Studebaker's. Their breakfast buffet is a favorite of my husband. I like to order off the menu and my favorite is the Heavy Chevy. The menu items names are automobile related. Studebaker's is clean with good food reasonably priced. Their move to smoke-free makes the entire restaurant open for seating.

I recommend Studebaker's for dining at any meal. I believe they have a buffet for lunch and dinner as well.

Wind Farm on the St. Marys River?

Wind Farm on Lake Superior at Gros Cap

I am down in Grand Rapids right now and found the St. Marys River mentioned on the front page of the Grand Rapids Press on Thursday, Sept. 25. In a story titled "That's one long extension cord" the Press tells about a Holland-area business man who owns 1,500 acres of property on the banks of the St. Marys River in DeTour and Raber townships.

The property could be home to a $140 million wind farm to generate energy for the Holland Board of Public Works.

The article goes on to say that Holland Mayor Al McGeehan and other city leaders could meet with Chippewa County officials next week to discuss the project while they are up north for a Michigan Municipal League convention.

With the Gros Cap wind farm fresh in our minds, it is important for Chippewa County residents to be aware of what is being proposed.

Historical Gems

John Johnston's Burial Site-Riverside Cemetery-Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The Sault has a rich history that rivals that of any other community. But sometimes you just have to seek it out on your own. The Sault sometimes doesn't brag enough about the importance this area has played in the history of our state and country.

One such story is the John Johnston family. Their home is open during the summer with programs to introduce you to their story. Recently, I took my granddaughters to see the burial spot of John & Susan Johnston. They are buried in Riverside Cemetery. Take the first driveway and go to the back-in the northwest corner.

Burial site of Susan Johnston-Riverside Cemetery-Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sugar Island Ferry Ride to School

I took my granddaughters to Rotary Island to play today. They are visiting us from down state. While there, we watched a school bus from Sault Area Schools load onto the Sugar Island ferry.
The Sault Schools run a bus to Sugar Island daily.

The thought of having a ferry ride every day to get to and from school was very exciting to a Kindergarten and 4th grader.

It even looks fun to me. Think of it-seeing what's going on in the river and having the excitement of a ferry ride.

Did any of you readers have a bus ride from Sugar Island? We'd like to hear about it.

St. James Episcopal Church

One of the most beautiful buildings in the Sault is the St. James Episcopal Church on Bingham Street. These pictures do not do it justice. I was focusing on the gardens when I took these pictures. The gardens are spectacular all summer. I don't know who maintains them but the gardens are certainly worth a visit.
There is a great description of the church on Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula. This building is a significant architectural building. We attended a concert there where Bob Aldrich gave us a brief history of the church and its beautiful stained glass windows.
The tower contains a carillon. I was able to visit it in 1968 with a classmate who was learning to play it. It still operates daily and I enjoy listening while visiting my parents over on Hursley Street.

My daughter and I have made a hobby out of researching the architecture of the Sault. I wrote to Michigan architectural historian Kathryn Eckert who wrote Buildings of Michigan and asked her why there are so many stunning buildings in such a small town as Sault Ste. Marie. Eckert responded that at the turn of the century (1900) the logging industry was in full force. This meant there was lots of money in Sault Ste. Marie and that is reflected in the public buildings and private residences that were built during that time.

I would someday like to put together a tour of these architectural significant buildings in the Soo.