Soo Locks Boat Tours
Experience family fun at the Soo Locks in Michigan's oldest city, Sault Ste. Marie
One of the Great Wonders of the World
The Soo Locks have been referred to as one of the great wonders of the world and it is still the largest waterway traffic system on earth. Your boat will travel along the international shoreline of the lower harbor letting you experience all the sights, sounds, and excitement of Michigan's oldest city, Sault Ste Marie. Soo Locks Boat Tours is one of Michigan's top attractions, and is recognized by AAA as a GEM® Attraction. Many departure times are available.
Soo Locks History
Established in 1668, Sault Ste. Marie is the third oldest continuous settlement in the United States. Before being a European settlement, the area was inhabited by North American Indians for almost 2,000 years. On the shore of the St. Mary's River the native community, Bahweting - "The Gathering Place" - was quickly established as an important fishing and meeting place.
The first European settlement was established by early French fur traders. Known to them as Sault du Gastogne, it was changed in 1668 by the Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie, in honor of the Virgin Mary. There is debate about what the name translated to, but French speakers say "Sault" means "to jump", making Sault Ste. Marie the place where people would come to "jump the St. Mary's".
In the mid 1700's the French and British often fought over the area. In most cases the fights were about British trade with the Indians. Both of these countries flew their respective flags. In 1820, the Treaty of the Sault turned control of the area over to the United States. America, concerned about a Canadian invasion, built Fort Brady on the site of the old French fort. In the 1890's Fort Brady was abandoned for the second time and moved to Mr. Ryan's Hill, the sight that is famous today for being the home of the Lake Superior State University.
The St. Mary's River is the only water connection between Lake Superior and the Great Lakes. However, there is a section of the river known as the St. Mary's Rapids where the water falls about 21 feet from the level of Lake Superior to the level of the lower lakes. The natural barrier made it necessary for the construction of the Sault Locks, a project known as the St. Mary's Falls Canal. The first lock was built in 1797, on the Canadian side, but was destroyed in the War of 1812. The United States built its first lock in 1855. Today there are 4 locks in use, continuously being visited by ships and tourists alike. You can actually experience the thrill of "locking through" on our Soo Locks sightseeing tours.
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