The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site is a year-round cultural attraction for residents and visitors to Sault Ste. Marie. The Site consists of an interactive Heritage Discovery Centre and two of the oldest stone buildings, located northwest of Toronto – the Ermatinger Old Stone House and the Clergue Blockhouse.
The Ermatinger Old Stone House has been fully restored to depict the domestic and professional life of Charles Oakes Ermatinger, as well as other respected residents who lived in the House between 1808 and 1896. The house measures 35′ by 45′ with the original grounds/property spanning 252 acres. The story of the Ermatinger family weaves into Canada’s history with regards to the early settlers, voyageurs, soldiers, writers, and artists. Prior to the completion of the transcontinental railway, Sault Ste. Marie was the gateway between the eastern settlement of Canada and the Western boundaries of exploration.
The Clergue Blockhouse – Francis Hector Clergue has been recognized as a person of national historical significance. He was born on August 28, 1856, in Brewer, Maine. Clergue arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in 1894 when he went to work for a group of Philadelphia financiers and investors. Clergue recognized the potential that the areas natural resources possessed and capitalized on it, developing multiple industries in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area leaving a lasting impact on the community.
