Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site
editThe Ermatinger Clergue National Site is located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at 800 Bay Street. The Site is located near neighbouring attractions including the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum and the Art Gallery of Algoma.
The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site offers a cultural attraction for residents and visitors to Sault Ste. Marie. The Site consists of an interactive Heritage Discovery Centre in northwest Sault Ste. Marie, the Ermatinger Old Stone House and the Clergue Blockhouse.
Ermatinger Old Stone House
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The Ermatinger Old Stone House, more commonly known as the Old Stone House was named after Charles Oakes Ermatinger, a fur trader for North West Company who played a prominent role in the fur trade industry for Sault Ste. Marie. The Old Stone House was restored to depict the domestic and professional life of Ermatinger and other distinguished residents and visitors to the House between 1808 and 1870.
Ermatinger was born in Montreal, QC in 1776. He was of Swiss descent and was the son of merchant, Lawrence Ermatinger, and Jemima Oakes. The Old Stone House provides a link to Sault Ste. Marie's role in the fur trade industry. Ermatinger, his Ojibway wife and their children completed the house in 1814. The House became the centre for government, business and social life in the Sault Ste. Marie. The family stayed in Sault Ste. Marie until 1828 so Ermatinger could retire and move the family to Montreal. Over the century, the House had many uses and occupants including the first post office, and the first courthouse.
The House measures 35' by 45', with the original property spanning 252 acres.
Clergue Blockhouse
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The Clergue Blockhouse is one of Sault Ste. Marie's most significant buildings. Its earliest association being with the North West Company housing its gun powder magazine constructed in 1819.
The Clergue Blockhouse was named after Francis Hector Clergue. Clergue was recognised as having a nationwide historical significance for developing multiple industries in Sault Ste. Marie. Clergue recognised the potential for fur trading and other natural resources in Sault Ste. Marie and developed a strategy to capitalise on it.
The Clergue Blockhouse was relocated to the Site in 1996, and served as the home for Clergue from 1894-1908. The lower stone story of the Blockhouse dates back to 1819.
Prior to the completion of the transcontinental railway, Sault Ste. Marie was the gateway between the eastern settlement of Canada and the Western boundaries of exploration.
Admission
editAdmission to the Site is offered year-round with group rates available.
Prices include:
Adult: $12 (taxes included)
Senior/Child/Student: $10 (taxes included)
Children 5 & Under: Free
Family: $25 (taxes included)
References
edit- "The City of Sault Ste. Marie." Clergue Blockhouse - City of Sault Ste. Marie. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
- "Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada." Sault Ste. Marie: Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.