River of History Museum - Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Visit the 11 galleries of the River of History Museum and learn about life at the water's edge of the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie. From Native American culture to military history and so much more. Get to know the area's people and their unique stories.
Museum Ship
There are a variety of ships around the USA that are now museums, but rarely are they freighters. The SS Valley Camp in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan gives visitors a look inside the ships that move the world.
- REAL USA Ep. 108
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EXACT LOCATION of video:
Latitude: 46.49860
Longitude: -84.33663
The Story of Sault Ste. Marie
It lays claim as the oldest settlement in the state of Michigan. Founded in 1668, Sault Ste. Marie has a history that dates backs even centuries before the first European contact.
Sault Ste. Marie: From the iconic Soo Locks to museums, nature and nightlife
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a perfect destination for the outdoor enthusiast, history and culture buffs, and those who enjoy dining and nightlife.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum & Lighthouse,...Whitefish Point Michigan!
History
Construction on the first light began in 1847, and the lighthouse was said to resemble that at Old Presque Isle Light.
First lit in 1849, it was one of the first lighthouses on the shores of Lake Superior and is also the oldest active light on the lake. The original structure was outfitted with Lewis lamps, which were thereafter upgraded to a Fourth Order Fresnel lens.
The current structure, while modern looking, is a Civil War relic. Built in 1861, the iron skeletal steel framework was designed to relieve stress caused by high winds. A similar design is used at Manitou Island light in Lake Superior. It was equipped with a Third Order Fresnel lens.
The DCB-224 Carlisle & Finch aerobeacon in operation at Whitefish Point on November 3, 2007.
The light-emitting diode lantern installed at Whitefish Point in August 2011.
In 1968, the light was replaced with a DCB-224 aero beacon manufactured by the Carlisle & Finch Company. According to Volume 7 of the U.S. Coast Guard light list, it was visible for a distance of 26 nautical miles (48 km) in clear weather conditions, and had two unevenly spaced eclipses, and two flashes within every 20 second period. Putting aside questions of nostalgia, aesthetics, or appreciation for the engineering of a bygone era (as exemplified by the Fresnel lens), this iteration of lighthouse illumination was itself incredibly effective, and an endangered remnant of another bygone era.
The station was automated in 1971.
In 2011, the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners reported reduced intensity of the Whitefish Point light from June 7, 2011 until August 16, 2011 when the DCB-224 Series Carlisle & Finch aerobeacon lens was changed to a light-emitting diode (LED) lantern with a reduced range of 15 nautical miles (28 km) as permitted by Coast Guard rules and regulations adopted in 2003 for private aids to navigation. The aerobeacon lens is stored in a building on the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum complex for possible future public display.
The lighthouse is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which has many shipwreck artifacts, including artifacts from shipwrecks in the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve and the SS Edmund Fitzgerald's bell which was recovered from the wreck in 1995. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is open for during the tourist season from 10 am to 6 pm, every day through October 31. The organization that operates the museum got 80.079% of its funding from the public in the year 2010.
The light is considered to iconic, and has been the subject of memorabilia. An official Michigan Historical Marker was erected in 1974. It is Registered Site L0272. The marker notes:
This light, the oldest on Lake Superior, began operating in 1849, though the present tower was constructed later. An early stopping place for Indians, Voyageurs, Coureur des bois and Jesuit missionaries, the point marks the course change for ore boats and other ships navigating this treacherous coastline to and from St. Mary's Canal. Since 1971 the light, fog signal, and radio beacon have been automated and controlled from Sault Ste. Marie.
The keepers were: 1848--1851: James B. Van Renselaer 1851--1853: Amos Stiles 1853--1856: William C. Crampton 1856--1859: Belloni McGulpin 1859--1861: Charles Garland 1861--1864: Joseph Kemp 1864--1868: Thomas Stafford 1868--1874: Edward Ashman 1874--1882: Charles J. Linke 1882--1883: Edward Chambers 1883--1903: Charles Kimball 1903--1931: Robert Carlson
Whitefish Point is on the Lake Superior coastline known as the Graveyard of the Great Lakes. The numerous shipwrecks of Whitefish Bay—including those of the Comet, John B. Cowle, Drake, Samuel Mather, Miztec, Myron, Niagara, John M. Osborn, Sagamore, Superior City, and Vienna—are protected for future generations of sports divers by the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve.
The site is a venue for remembrance of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, and extending back to the loss in 1816 of the very first ship known to sail on Superior, the sixty-foot trading vessel Invincible, which upended in gale force winds and towering waves near there. Every loss was tragic.
There are critics that claim that the stewardship of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society over this lighthouse caused it to be overdeveloped. Michigan Audubon Society filed a lawsuit that accused the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society of overdeveloping Whitefish Point and United States Fish & Wildlife Service of not protecting the site.The lawsuit was settled in 2002 when the parties agreed to govern the site with a management plan.
USCG Cutter Mackinaw Icebreaker Moored in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
USCG Cutter Mackinaw - An Icebreaker Moored in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This is a fairly close up view of the USCG Mackinaw Icebreaker moored near the Coast Guard Station in SSM, Michigan. The shipping season is upon us and the St. Mary's River and adjoining waterways need a path through the ice cleared for ships.
The Norgoma as a Museum Ship
The renovations of the exterior and interior are shown in this video.
Great Getaways: Sault Seal Recreation Area [Sault Ste Marie, MI]
from Great Getaways #1213 Winter In The Soo - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
[Online Travel Planner -
Sault Seal Recreation Area has seven tubing runs with two lifts and a ski/snowboard hill are covered with snow and ready for fun. Warm up in the heated chalet and enjoy a snack with a view of the hill.
Rendezvous in the Sault - 2013
Rendezvous in the Sault was a reflection of the origins of Sault de Sainte Marie, 200 - 300 years ago. It took place on the very same ground that countless voyageurs, Native Americans, traders, soldiers, and musicians would meet annually, outside the walls of the Fort . These gatherings, part market bazaar, part festival, were the culmination of their year's labor. Great canoes of furs would be unloaded and sold, while the trappers would spend their earnings on supplies to turn around and do it again. The Natives trapped as well and the traders had things they'd never seen for trade. There would be music, dancing, competitions and drinking. Rendezvous were a necessity of their day and they built the Soo. Since 1668, the Sault has been a place of gathering. It is wonderful to see Rendevous here again. It is as it should be, after all, it is who we are.
SOO LOCKS, American Mariner,Upbound, Sault Ste Marie Michigan!
Physical Geography (Great Lakes)
Matt Hanson and Kahlil Grice
What would happen if the Soo Locks shut down?
Millions of Americans would lose their jobs and the country would go into a severe recession if the Soo Locks stopped working, according to the Department of Homeland Security. So what is being done to prevent it now?
Experience The Full Story Here:
By Allison Maass
Lincoln/Net, 1818-1861: Frontier Settlement
This video concerning the topic of Frontier Settlement, comes from the Lincoln/Net website ( which is a creation of Northern Illinois University Libraries' Digital Initiatives Unit: Lincoln/Net presents materials from Lincoln's Illinois years (1830-1861), supplemented by resources from Illinois' early years of statehood (1818-1829). Thus, Lincoln/Net provides a record of Lincoln's career, but it also uses his experiences as a lens through which users might explore and analyze his social and political context.
Please see the following page for the full text featured in this video:
Icebreaker Ships - How do they do it? - USCG Mackinaw Museum
The United States Coast Guard ICEBREAKER MACKINAW WAGB-83 is known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes” and “The Largest Icebreaker on the Great Lakes”. She was built as part of the war effort during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months.
Decommissioned in 2006, she now resides at her namesake home of Mackinaw City, Michigan, and is open for public tours, educational tours, overnight encampments and group events. Informative displays and tour guides will tell you the story of the Mackinaw’s 62-year career of breaking ice on the Great Lakes and serving as a goodwill ambassador throughout the region. While aboard you will visit the Mess Deck, Captains Quarters, Bridge, Engine Room, Ward Room, Sick Bay and so much more.
#Icebreaker #MichiganMuseums #USCGMackinaw
Crossing the International Bridge Into (Sault) Canada 1997
I don't know why I put this up.
West Pier is Open 2014 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
West Pier is Open 2014 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. One of the best burger places in Michigan is open for the 2014 season. This was recorded on March 18th.
Incredible by Any Measure... the Great Lakes
How is The Nature Conservancy working to protect the world's largest freshwater system? By bringing together the best science with innovative conservation action. Learn more about The Nature Conservancy's Great Lakes Project. Visit us online at nature.org/greatlakes
U.S. Coast Guard - Sector Northeast Ships of the Line
Over the past few years I have filmed various USCG ship's and small boats. These represent the most prevalent class of ships in service in my neck of the woods. Keep up the good work USCG!
Upper Michigan's Most Scenic Roadside Stop (Esrey)
1,300-mile Lake Superior Circle Tour by highway around the world’s largest & most famous freshwater lake. 2726 miles of shoreline, cliffs & beaches, fishing villages, great campsites & more. Click on Show More for more info about our tour and dozens of videos of the many stops
Travel information on the way always provided us good clues where to visit next. Always talked to campers and they gave us good leads to check out. Had a few stops in mind to start before the trip around Lake Superior.
Here's a list of the places we visited.
I made a * video of each stop:
mikeminnesota-youtube
Temperance River State Park
*
Grand Portage National Museum
(In progress being created)
Minnesota Pigeon River Waterfall
*
Fort Williams Historical Park
*
Town of Nipigon Paddle to Sea
(In progress being created)
Rainbow Falls Provinical Park
*
Terrace Bay & Water Falls
*
Rossport Fishing Village
*
Pukaskwa National Park
(In progress being created)
Agwawa Woodworking Crafts
*
Pancake Bay Prov Park
*
Sault St Marie Locks
*
Petosky HS steel drum band at St. Ignace MI
*
Mackinac Island & Fort
(In progress being created)
Pictured Rocks Shoreline boat tour
*
Jampot Bakery and Byzantine Catholic Church Eagle Harbor
*
Upper Michigans Most Scenic Roadside Park (Esrey)
*
Copper Harbor Town
*
Copper Harbor State Park & Fort
*
Down load map of circle tour
Old shipships of the Great Lakes 1920's to 1961
THESE ARE SCANNED PHOTOS. Digital cameras did not exist at the time these photos were taken
Take a look back in time with this slide show to the Glory days of the great cross lake passenger liners. Cross lake steamers were an important part of transportation in the 1st part of the 20th century. These luxurious ships where fitted with interiors on par with the Titanic. They ran year round in all types of weather. Voyages departed the ports of Muskegon, Grand Haven and Holland Michigan for Chicago. They carried freight as well as passengers and were known as packet steamers because of this. See the SS Alabama, SS South American, SS North American, the Northern Navigation Company United States, SS Cheboygan, SS Missouri, SS Milwaukee Clipper, SS Aquarama, Bob Lo Island Ferry and unknown passenger steamer; plus what I think is a 1920's high speed Rum Runner on the Detroit River During the failed Social Experiment Prohibition. See what happened to the SS Alabama,SS Aquarama, SS Milwaukee Clipper and the Bob Lo Island Ferry. The reliance on the Automobile and Air Travel spelled doom for these great passenger steamships. By 1961 the golden age of the Great Lakes Passenger Steamship was almost done. A victim of modernization. That left only the Milwaukee Clipper as the Survivor. But it too was victim of Progress. The Milwaukee Clipper made its last revenue voyage in 1970. It is now a floating museum which along with the Canadian Pacific Railroad Steamer KEEWATIN on display in Saugatuck Mich. The Keewatin traveled Lake Superior. Both have rare Quadruple expansion Steam engines in which steam from the boiler is used 4 times before being put to a condenser turning the steam into water which was discharge into the lake. The Keewatin & the Milwaukee Clipper are open for tours. The Keewatin has its original wooden superstructure and interior which was why it was taken out of service by the US Coast Guard as a Fire Hazard.