This week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library tells us about the Algoma Central Railway's origins, and why it's significant that the building pictured above was ever constructed.
Francis H. Clergue, an American industrialist played a significant role in opening up Algoma.
In 1887, a prospector had discovered an outcropping of hematite ore in the Michipicoten area.
After Clergue’s arrival in Sault Ste. Marie, he purchased the claim and developed the Helen Mine, named after one of his sisters.
He saw a need for land transportation to carry raw materials, specifically the hematite ore from his newly acquired mines in Michipicoten to his industries here in Sault Ste. Marie but the hard northern terrain still remained undeveloped.
He realized this area was rich in lumber and minerals but totally inaccessible.
One of Clergue’s solutions was to develop a railway and so on August 11, 1899 Clergue incorporated the Algoma Central Railway under Dominion Charter.
Initially a railway line, twelve miles in length was constructed connecting the Helen Mine with Michipicoten Harbour so that the ore could be loaded onto ships and brought back to Sault Ste. Marie.
However he had a vision of constructing a railway to extend from Sault Ste. Marie to Moosonee on James Bay.
Unfortunately only 56 miles of track had been laid when Clergue’s Empire collapsed in 1903, halting work on the renamed Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway.
A financial group from London, England eventually took over Clergue’s companies and continued the railway as far as Hearst in 1914.
The Canadian Shield proved to be a formidable obstacle in constructing this railway so the original dream of seeing it go straight to Moosonee was never realized.
Of course, the railway needed a headquarters and the Algoma Central Railway & Hudson Bay Railway station was constructed on the waterfront at the base of Bruce Street.
Constructed from red sandstone found in the area, the three story building was built in 1912.
It served as the railway’s station for more than 60 years until a new station was built as part of the Station Mall development in the early 1970’s.
During the construction of this building Clergue’s empire was collapsing and the railway’s future was also in doubt so it is particularly significant that such a magnificent building was able to be completed and continues to be a prominent landmark on Bay Street today.
Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here.