Tower of History
Observation tower and museum in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tower of History (originally the Tower of Missionaries) is a 210-foot (64 m) observation tower in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.[1][2][3] Located at 326 E. Portage Avenue,[1] it was the tallest observation tower in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when completed in 1968.[4][5][6] The tower was built in a modernist style and consists of three vertical, trapezoid-shaped columns that support five cantilevered observation platforms.[7] It provides a panoramic, 360-degree view of the Soo Locks, the St. Mary's River, Lake Superior, and cities on both the American and Canadian sides of the border.[1][2][8] The view extends for roughly 20 miles (32 km);[6][9] in total, approximately 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) are visible from the tower.[10]
| Tower of History | |
|---|---|
 Tower of History in 2021 | |
  Location within Michigan  Tower of History (the United States) | |
| 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 | 46.4982°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(s) | George Rafferty |
| Architecture firm | Progressive Design Associates, Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Developer | St. Mary's Catholic Church |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Tower of History was built in 1968 by St. Mary's Catholic Church as part of a never-completed shrine to Catholic missionaries active in the Upper Peninsula that was to be named the Shrine of the Missionaries.[3][11][12] It was designed by George Rafferty of Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Progressive Design Associates, while Frank Kacmarcik served as the project's art consultant.[4] The tower was built on the site of Jacques Marquette's first log house and chapel.[4][5][6] It was initially estimated to cost just $50,000 to build, although this figure soon ballooned to over $600,000 once recommendations from the project's architect and consultants were factored in;[12] ultimately, the total cost rose to nearly $1 million.[4][6]
The tower was planned to be complemented by a new church building and community center, although St. Mary's ultimately ended funding for the project.[10] From the beginning, it was conceived as both a historical and a tourist attraction.[13] The tower was originally intended to house a museum to 17th- and 18th-century missionaries as well as be connected to the planned new church building, effectively functioning as its steeple.[2][12] Initially called the Tower of Missionaries, it was renamed the Tower of History to broaden its appeal to visitors.[5] The tower was initially projected to cover its costs by visitors paying $1 or $2 to experience the view from the observation platforms, but according to parishioner and building committee member Paul Ripley, the unforeseen oil crisis precluded the tourism growth that they expected.[12]
In 1971, due to the financial problems that St. Mary's was enduring, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette assumed responsibility for the tower.[14][15] In 1972, its operation was reorganized and it became directed by a state-wide board of directors. Also at that time, the tower employed 10 college students as workers.[16] By 1975, it was attracting over 40,000 visitors a year.[7] In 1979, an advisory board to the Diocese of Marquette's administrative board recommended either closing the tower or donating it to a civic organization.[15] In 1980, the diocese donated it to Le Sault De Sainte Marie Historical Sites, Inc. (Sault Historic Sites).[10][14][15]
The Tower of History includes museum exhibits about Catholic missionaries, local history, and Native American history.[1][2][3] The museum exhibits and a video presentation are located on the tower's Lower Level, while three separate viewing platforms (both open-air and glassed-in) and additional exhibit space are located on the Upper Level.[9][10] The tower features an express elevator that ascends to the viewing platforms in 45 seconds.[7] The Tower of History is open to the public between mid-May and mid-October.[2]
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