Fort Brady, Historic district in Sault Ste. Marie, United States.
Fort Brady is a historic district in downtown Sault Ste. Marie comprising roughly 146 buildings, with over 100 listed as contributing structures to the historic designation. The buildings are concentrated along Water Street, where you will find well-preserved examples of military and civilian architecture from different eras.
The original fort was established in 1822 to protect American interests following negotiations with the Chippewa. In 1892, the installation relocated upriver to make room for the expanding Soo Locks, which became critical for Great Lakes trade.
The buildings showcase different architectural styles from various periods, ranging from Italianate to Richardsonian Romanesque, that still shape the streetscape today. Walking through the area, you can observe how design preferences shifted across generations and influenced the visual character of this downtown neighborhood.
Lake Superior State University now uses the New Fort Brady site, maintaining several original officer quarters and military buildings as part of campus operations. You can walk through the neighborhood and explore the preserved structures from outside, though many serve as academic facilities.
The original riverside fort was entirely relocated due to infrastructure changes, yet visitors can still trace this military past through the preserved buildings standing today. This shift reveals how economic development fundamentally reshaped the city.
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