Clergue, Francis Hector National Historic Person
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Plaque commemorating Francis Hector Clergue
© Parks Canada / Parcs Canada, 2008
Address :
Canal Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1987-11-05
Life Date:
1856 to 1939
Other Name(s):
-
Clergue, Francis Hector
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
1987-02
Importance:
Established major industrial complex at Sault Ste. Marie
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Canal Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
A Maine-born promoter, Clergue transformed Sault Ste. Marie into a major industrial centre. He purchased an unfinished hydroelectric station and canal at the Sault in 1894; then, lacking markets for his electric power, he created his own interdependent industries, which included Sault Ste. Marie Pulp and Paper (now St. Mary's Paper), Canadian Copper Company (now part of INCO), Algoma Steel and Algoma Central Railway. Clergue rebuilt the North West Company magazine as a blockhouse and used it as his residence and office during his early years in Sault Ste. Marie.