The Oldest City in Michigan is Among The Oldest in the U.S.

The oldest city in Michigan was founded in 1668 by French missionaries.

It's not only the oldest city in Michigan but one of the oldest cities in the entire United States.

It's the second most populated city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula after Marquette.

What is the Oldest City in Michigan?

About an hour north of the Mackinac Bridge in Chippewa County, you'll find Sault Ste. Marie, the oldest city in Michigan.

Sault Ste. Marie was founded in 1668 by French missionaries Claude Dablon and Jacques Marquette.

What is the Meaning Behind the City's Name?

Sault Ste. Marie comes from the French term for the nearby rapids, which were called Les Saults de Sainte Marie. Sainte Marie (Saint Mary) was the name of the river and Saults referred to the rapids. Today, most people refer to Sault Ste. Marie as simply, The Soo.

Sault Ste. Marie is separated by the St. Marys River from the much larger city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

How Many People Live in Sault Ste. Marie?

Sault Ste. Marie has a population (as of 2020) of 13,175.

You'll find The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie as well. The Soo Locks are a set of parallel locks, operated and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, that enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.

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As a kid, I would always hear my dad talk about the Soo Locks. He was always (and still is) fascinated by locks and the ships that pass through. I think a lot of his fascination comes from my grandfather who worked on the ships at the Soo Locks.

My first visit to Sault Ste. Marie was in 2021 when I went there with my wife who's originally from The Soo. It's really a cool town and super fun to visit in the winter during the famous I-500 snowmobile race. However, It's extremely cold. It was minus 20 degrees when I was there.

On your next visit to The Soo, be sure to visit The Palace Mexican Restaurant. They have the best Long Island iced teas. They will definitely warm you up.

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Don't Call Yourself A Yooper Unless You've Been To These Michigan Upper Peninsula Places

It can almost be looked at as a different state entirely, while encompassing everything beautiful about Michigan. There are some spots that are truly breathtaking, and if you've never planned a trip to the upper peninsula, make sure you're comfortable with long drives.

$8.5 Million Log Cabin Island Retreat in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

No, it's not Montana or even the set of "Yellowstone". This breathtaking million-dollar retreat is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan near the Wisconsin border and is everything a nature lover has dreamt of. With its 16 acres of wilderness and lakeside beauty, any fisherman or someone looking to escape from it all would simply love it. Over 10,000 square feet of space with 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, this log home Island family retreat on the famous Cisco Chain of Lakes is meant for large family get-togethers and big gatherings.

Take a look at what tranquility and heaven on earth really look like.

Filed Under: Sault Ste. Marie