Bingham Avenue historic buildings
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Chippewa County Courthouse. It was built in 1874 of limestone quarried from Drummond Island. |
It's easy to see all the major visitor destinations in town. And yet, if your head's not turned toward the monumental courthouse, you can miss this avenue of grand buildings. It vividly conveys the confidence in the area's destined greatness felt by local leaders in the late 19th century. Parking by the courthouse has been gobbled up by government workers, and it's easy to get a ticket at meters. Consider parking near the River of History Museum or St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral and walking an extra block to the courthouse.
History fans might want to end their walk with a visit to the impressive BAYLISS PUBLIC LIBRARY (632-9331) at the end of Court Street, by the Power Canal. It's not an old building, but it's an impressive testimony to the area's interest and support of cultural life. Visitors may be interested in the space for rotating exhibits and in the Judge Steere History Room, which has old records, city directories, and other genealogical materials. Recently the library received a million-dollar windfall. Members of the county historical society doing an inventory uncovered several paintings given to the city by ex-Governor Osborn in the 1920s. They had been displayed at the old high school but ended up in dead storage after the new high school was built. Society member Susan James had worked in an art museum, and recommended selling the paintings at auction in New York. The Scottish landscape and Native American scene only netted a few hundred dollars but Thomas Moran's small oil painting of a Grand Canyon landscape sold for over a million dollars. Open Tues-Sat from 9-5:30 except Tues & Th to 9, Saturday 9 to 3 or in summer until 1. Wheelchair-accessible.
Of the avenue's fine churches, one of the most interesting is SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH (906-632-2451; wheelchair-accessible), at 533 Bingham at Carrie. Finished in 1903, it's on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. In Buildings of Michigan, architectural historian Kathryn Eckert writes that the Late Gothic Revival church "resembles the small parish churches found on the Eastern Seaboard that were influenced by the English Ecclesiological movement." Local stone enhances "the look and flavor of the English parish church," she says. Chase Osborn, the newspaper editor who later became Michigan's only U.P. governor, donated the 11-bell carillon to the Episcopal church, because the church was the only place in town large enough to hold the bells. It is rung each Sunday morning around 9:30. Visitors are welcome to see the interior. The evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are represented in four carved figures and again in the beautiful front stained-glass window from the Tiffany studio, said to be the third largest stained-glass window in Michigan. Sunday services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Or, any weekday morning between 9 a.m. and noon, just ring the doorbell at the side entrance off the parking lot. Today it's a challenge for a small parish to maintain this beautiful building, so donations would be appreciated.
In July and August St. James and four other churches cooperate in presenting a daily series of interesting free noon-hour programs about each church's music, history, or art. Probable days are: St. James Tuesday, St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 511 Court Wednesday, Central Methodist at 111 E. Spruce Thursday, and St. Mary's Catholic Church Friday. First Presbyterian at 309 Lyon had been Monday, but a fire in May, 2000, virtually destroyed it and it hasn't yet been rebuilt. For details, pick up a schedule around town or check at the visitors' bureau web site, www.saultstemarie.com .
Bingham parallels Ashmun one block to the east. See map.
Return to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
POINTS OF INTEREST
Soo Brewing Company
Ray Bauer started out as an enthusiastic home brewer, inspired in part by his German background. Now he is the hard-working brewer and chief bartender at this innovative, affordable downtown
microbrewery (soobrew.com) with a family-like atmosphere. There are handmade tables, church pews for seating, and restaurant menus for takeout. Customers can bring in food. (Nearby Zorba's is a good choice.)
The space is perfect for showing off Ray's increasing line of beers—and one root beer. Soo Brew ("a flavorful ale made with two specialty malts and local water for a unique, mellow taste") and GoldiLocks Blonde Ale (a malty beer one step up from commercial brews) sell "as fast as we can make them," Ray says. He thanks fellow Upper Peninsula brewers for helping him get started: Lake Superior Brewing Company in Grand Marais, the Vierling in Marquette, Jasper Ridge in Ishpeming, and the Keweenaw Brewing Company in Houghton.
In summer, 2011, Ray was producing six beers. He hopes to get production up to fill all his ten taps. Some day he wants to make wine as well. Soo Brewing soon had 169 "Mug Club" members. Each pays $50 a year for a 25 oz. Scandinavian-style mug, which is filled for the price of 16 ounces of beer. On the second Monday of the month, members meet from 5 to 7 p.m. to taste the latest brews and vote on a beer for SBC to produce. 64 oz. growlers, purchased for $11, are refilled for $8.
Soo Locks Park & Visitor Center. This is the place to get really close-up views of giant freighters, plus see some interesting exhibits ... more
Soo Locks Boat Tour. This 2-hour excursion provides a dramatic look at the big locks, the quaint Canadian locks, and the Twin Soo's waterfronts. ... more
River of History Museum. Life-size dioramas bring to life scenes from Sault Ste. Marie's long history and prehistory. ... more
Riverfront walk along Water Street and Brady Park. See upbound boats waiting at the locks at beautiful Brady Park, site of the 19th c. fort. See interesting historic monuments from Sault Ste. Marie's aspiring years, including idiosyncratic Chase Osborn, the only U.P. governor. ... more
Bingham Avenue historic buildings. An avenue of grand 19th-century buildings, from a time when locals saw a grander future for the city than actually unfolded ... more
Tower of History. An oustanding view of the area from a 21-story tower. ... more
St. Mary's Pro-cathedral. This 1880s cathedral has a wonderful interior, with richly colored stained glass and striking wall accents ... more
Water Street Historic Block. Three of the earliest and most significant houses in Upper Peninsula history ... more
George Kemp Downtown Marina . A nice picnic area at a beautiful marina ... more
Museum Ship Valley Camp . A 1917 Great Lakes steamship is the vehicle for an interesting maritime museum ... more
St. Mary's River Lighthouse Cruise. A 4-hour journey past landmarks like the lighthouse at the entrance to the St. Marys River ... more
Edison Sault Power Plant & Alford Park. This 1902 quarter-mile-long landmark never attracted the industries it was built to serve, but still generates electricity ... more
Mission Point, Aune Osborn Park & Sugar Island Ferry. It's been called the #1 place anywhere to see Great Lakes freighters in motion ... more
Sugar Island. Once a favorite Chippewa sugaring spot, the island still has many maples and still is a popular stop for migrating birds ... more
New Fort Brady/Lake Superior State University. Begun in 1893 as an Army fort and barracks for 20,000 troops, this overlook now is the site of 3,300-student Lake Superior State University ... more
International Bridge. Connecting the 5,000-mile Trans-Canada Highway with 2,000-mile I-75 to Florida, this 1962 bridge does much more than connect the two Soos ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
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• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
