Tower of History facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tower of History |
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Tower of History in 2021
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| Former names | Tower of Missionaries |
| General information | |
| Type | Observation tower |
| Architectural style | Modern architecture |
| Address | 326 E. Portage Avenue |
| Town or city | Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
| Country | US |
| Coordinates | 46°29′54″N 84°20′26″W / 46.4982°N 84.3405°W |
| Completed | 1968 |
| Cost | $1 million |
| Owner | Le Sault De Sainte Marie Historical Sites, Inc. |
| Height | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Glass, steel, and reinforced concrete |
| Floor count | 21 |
| Lifts/elevators | 1 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | George Rafferty |
| Architecture firm | Progressive Design Associates, Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Developer | St. Mary's Catholic Church |
The Tower of History is a 210-foot (64 m) observation tower in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. When it was finished in 1968, it was the tallest observation tower in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The tower has a unique modern look, with three tall columns shaped like trapezoids. These columns hold up five observation decks that stick out from the tower.
From the top, you can see a full 360-degree view of the area. This includes the famous Soo Locks, the St. Mary's River, and even parts of Lake Superior. You can also see cities in both the United States and Canada. The view stretches for about 20 miles (32 km), letting you see an amazing 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) of scenery.
History of the Tower
A Big Idea
The Tower of History was built in 1968 by St. Mary's Catholic Church. Its original name was the Tower of Missionaries. It was meant to be part of a larger project to honor the Catholic missionaries who worked in the area long ago. The tower was designed by an architect named George Rafferty.
The tower stands on the same spot where the famous explorer Jacques Marquette built his first log cabin and chapel. At first, the church thought it would only cost $50,000 to build. But after getting advice from architects, the cost grew to over $600,000. In the end, the tower cost almost $1 million to complete.
A Change of Plans
The original plan was for the tower to be part of a larger complex with a new church and community center. The tower would have even acted as the church's steeple. However, the church eventually ran out of money for the project.
To attract more visitors, the name was changed from the Tower of Missionaries to the Tower of History. The church hoped that money from tourists would help pay for the tower, but fewer tourists came than expected.
By 1971, the church could no longer afford to run the tower. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette took over. In 1980, the diocese donated the tower to a local historical group called Le Sault De Sainte Marie Historical Sites, Inc. (Sault Historic Sites), which runs the tower today.
What's Inside the Tower?
The Tower of History is more than just a great view. It's also a museum.
- Lower Level: Here you can find museum exhibits and watch a video. The displays teach you about Catholic missionaries, local history, and the history of Native Americans in the region.
- Upper Level: An express elevator takes you to the top in just 45 seconds! Here, there are three different viewing platforms. Some are open-air, while others are enclosed in glass. There are also more exhibits to see on this level.
The Tower of History is open for visitors from the middle of May to the middle of October each year.
