Powerhouse History

By Kendra Kachur

The lock at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site was originally envisioned to operate using hydraulics; however, in 1893 a ground-breaking decision was made to power the lock using electricity. This marked a historic moment, as the Sault Ste. Marie Canal became the first lock in the world to be electrically operated. At the heart of this change stood the Powerhouse, a remarkable structure completed in 1894.

The Powerhouse was the first building on-site, crafted from red sandstone excavated from the canal during the lock’s construction and adorned with limestone cornerstones, also known as quoins. Having been built strategically against a hill, the Powerhouse ingeniously utilized gravity to its advantage.

To supply water to the Powerhouse for the generation of hydro electricity a 1,000-foot pipe, known as the penstock, was constructed to feed water through valves into two turbines located on the first floor. These turbines were responsible for the Powerhouse’s two main functions: powering generators to create electricity for the site and unwatering the lock for maintenance. The electricity, in turn, powered the machinery for the lock’s operation and provided 24-hour lighting for the buildings and grounds.

The Powerhouse provided electricity for the site until 1942. In response to the increasing preference for alternating current over direct current, a strategic decision was made to discontinue electricity production and instead procure electricity from the nearby Great Lakes Power. In 1963, the north turbine and generators were removed for the construction of new support columns and a concrete floor. The Powerhouse retained the south turbine and equipment necessary for unwatering the lock. This equipment was last used in 2010 during maintenance operations that required the unwatering of the lock.

Today, the Powerhouse stands as a testament to the canal’s enduring legacy as an engineering achievement; and Parks Canada is working to ensure that it will continue to define the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site's remarkable journey through time by conserving it for future generations to enjoy.

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