Description of Historic Place

The Power House, also known as the Pump House, is set amongst a group of buildings located on St. Mary’s Island, which is bisected by the Sault Ste. Marie Canal. The eclectic, classically-inspired building is composed of one-and two-storey sections, with each façade differing in height and detailing. The building has exterior walls of textured red sandstone blocks, contrasting limestone quoins and window surrounds, and decoratively framed segmental-arched windows. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Power House is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Power House is a very good example of a building associated with the construction and operation of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada, commencing in 1889, and illustrates the theme of the development of the Canada’s transportation network during the later 19th century. The first ship passed through the locks at the Sault in September 1895, and most of the canal buildings were completed by 1896. The complex of buildings is a very good representation of the transformation of the town from a small community to a modern industrial centre.

Architectural Value
The Power House is valued for its very good aesthetic design, as exhibited though its highly eclectic styling based on the Classical tradition. The building’s very good craftsmanship is evident in its two-storey red sandstone construction and hip roof, and in its limestone quoins and window surrounds and sills. The stone pediment over the south façade, arched windows, oculi, and window pediments all testify to the classical styling of office and public buildings of the 19th century. The excellent functional design of the Power House is evident in the interior layout, as well as in the unique exterior adaptation of the building, situated on a hill to increase the flow of the water directed through the turbines.

Environmental Value
The Power House maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, reinforces the historic character of its canal side setting at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada, and is a familiar local landmark.

Sources: Sally Coutts, Power House/Pump House, Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 85-007; Power House/Pump House, Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 85-007.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Power House should be respected.

Its very good aesthetic design, craftsmanship and quality of material and excellent functional design, for example: the location of the building atop a hill to maximize the flow of water through the plant’s turbines; the varied building exterior of red sandstone excavated during the construction of the canal with limestone quoins, window surrounds and sills; the multi-level arrangement of the interior of the building, including the early machinery and fittings which are still intact; the three different levels of fenestration, including the distinctive oculi windows on the second storey and the decoratively framed segmental windows; the combination of industrial and commercial use of the property with an interest in beautification, as illustrated by on-going horticultural activity and public use.

The manner in which the Power House remains a very good example of the development of the east-west transportation network and reinforces the character of its setting, as evidenced by: its familiarity as a neighbourhood landmark because of its importance to the development of the Sault Ste. Marie community and its historical association with the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada; the relationship between the complex of canal buildings and the associated landscape, which has remained virtually unchanged since the time of construction.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Power House on the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was built in 1894 by Ryan and Haney, contractors, to designs prepared under J.B. Spence of the Department of Railways and Canals. It is now the property of Environment Canada. See FHBRO Building Report 85-07.

Reason for Designation

On June 10, 1986, the Power House was designated Classified because of its representation of an important theme in Canadian history, and because of its very good design and craftsmanship. It also reinforces the character of its setting and is something of a local landmark.

The St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes provided Canada's original east-west transportation axis, and the development of this transportation network is a dominant theme in Canadian history. Construction of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal began in 1889, with the first ship passing through the locks in 1895. The complex of buildings, of which the Power House is one of the better known, was completed by 1904, and illustrate the crucial years when Sault Ste. Marie was transformed from a small community into a modern industrial centre.

The Power House in its architectural style is a highly eclectic building in the classical tradition. Its functional design is uniquely adapted to the site and the power generating requirement. The construction of a power house at the site is itself noteworthy; the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was one of the first canals in the world to use electricity generated on site rather than hydraulic power to work the lock gates.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of this property is defined by the landscape setting, the building relationships to one another, the building exterior, and the layout and furnishing of the interior as they relate to the original functional design.

The relationship between the complex of canal buildings and its associated landscape has remained virtually unchanged since the time of construction. The industrial and commercial use of the property has always been combined with an interest in beautification, as illustrated by on-going horticultural activity and public use.


It is important that the setting for the Power House, both its immediate landscape surroundings and its relationship to the overall topography and organization of the site, be maintained. This effort should include the
protection of circulation patterns, of mature plants, and of other landscape elements of historic precedent, which signify the above uses and interests associated with the property.

The building exterior, of red sandstone with limestone quoins, window surrounds and sills, varies because of terrain and functional requirements. Some features such as the pedimented south façade have been obscured, but the east and north façades still clearly display the three different levels of fenestration, including the distinctive oculi windows at the second storey. It is important that these façades, including surviving period windows and doors, be protected and conserved, and that missing or obscured aspects of the original design be recovered or restored as the opportunity arises. A similar approach should be taken to the interior, which is a multi-level arrangement with much of the early machinery and fittings still intact.

For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.

1992.04.10
(5921)