The Sault Canal: 125 Years of History

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

By Jeanette Cowen

 

J.W. LeBreton Ross, the longest serving Superintendent at the Sault Canal

J.W. LeBreton Ross, the longest serving Superintendent at the Sault Canal

Built by the Canadian Department of Railways and Canals, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal opened in 1895, as the longest lock in the world and the first to operate using electricity. Although COVID-19 scuttled commemoration plans, we’ve compiled a list of past superintendents and their achievements to highlight significant moments in the canal’s 125-year story.

Once Parks Canada assumed responsibility for the canal in 1979, the focus shifted to emphasize the cultural and natural heritage, as well as its role in commercial and recreational transportation. The canal was designated a site of national historic significance in 1987.  Ironically, that was the same year the canal closed due to a structural failure in its south wall. After nine years of negotiations, a tri-partite agreement was struck between the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to build a smaller recreational lock within the historic lock chamber. The new lock opened to navigation in 1998.

From its earliest days as an important Indigenous trading, fishing and governance centre, the canal area has been a gathering place. This tradition continued following the construction of the canal, as local residents began using the site as a park. Today, the canal continues to welcome close to 100,000 land-based and 60,000 water-based visitors annually. Successive Superintendents, and later, Site Managers, have served as stewards of the site, and 2021 will see the opening of a new visitor centre and exhibit in the restored Stores Building, offering visitors a comprehensive interpretation of this national treasure. Watch for the announcement and join us for the grand opening!

 

Tenure

Superintendent

Highlights

Government Department

1895-1906

J. Boyd
  • Trained new canal workers (called ‘green hands’) in use of electrical equipment
  • Locked through 1,193 vessels carrying 748,371 tonnes of cargo during first year of operation
  • Began landscaping site by planting trees, some of which still stand today

Department of Railways and Canals

1906-1907

F.B. Fripp
  • Acted briefly as Superintendent

1907-1936

J.W. LeBreton Ross
  • Continued landscaping and, by 1921, had two gardeners on staff
  • Active in community as President of Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society and Historical Society
  • Oversaw repairs following 1909 accident, requiring first and only use of Emergency Swing Dam
  • Canal post office opened in 1909 and Superintendent received an extra $100 on top of $1,800 annual salary, as postmaster
  • During First World War, 140 troops were stationed at canal to protect the lock and train for combat before going overseas to fight
  • Holds distinction of being the longest serving Superintendent—almost 30 years

1936-1943

J.S. Macleod
  • During Second World War, visitor access to the canal grounds was restricted due to fears of attack
  • In 1942, original direct current electrical power system was converted to alternating current and canal stopped generating its own hydroelectricity, instead purchasing electricity from Great Lakes Power

1943-1948

L.B. MacCourt
  • Guards were stationed during the war and an American regiment set up camp on South St. Mary’s Island to assist in canal’s defense

 

1948-1949

J.L. Thauvette
  • He apparently kept bees in a woodshed near Superintendent’s Residence

1950-1957

Colonel G. Philips
  • Original greenhouse was replaced

1957-1981

J.D. Bouchard
  • Second longest serving Superintendent
  • Responsibility for canal changed hands twice—in 1959 to the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and in 1979 to Parks Canada
  • Heyday as a commercial lock was long past, and plans were made to phase out commercial operation of the canal
  • Bouchard family restored the Residence and continued tradition of erecting a huge Christmas tree in front hall, started by Ross family
  • In 1962, International Bridge was built over canal
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard set up operations on site in the 60s and 70s

St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

 

Parks Canada Agency


Back to shoreLINES

Related links

Date modified :