"Stories steeped in stone."
That’s the tagline that goes with the new logo for the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site in Sault Ste. Marie that was unveiled today.
John Edgard Enriquez, a digital tourism intern at the site, spent roughly a year designing the new logo.
“I reviewed every aspect of it from the perspective of the site, the history, the culture, and the heritage of the site and even the city,” he said after the logo was unveiled.
“And then I came up with the concept where I was able to bring everything in one because it's going to be the new face of the site,” he said.
The previous logo was “very Ermatinger centric,” Enriquez said. “It didn’t say anything about Clergue or about the fur trade.”
Both Charles Ermatinger and Francis H. Clergue played important roles in the history of the area, which is why it's important that the logo represents them equally.
Ermatinger, an independent fur trader, built the Old Stone House in 1812, where he lived with his Ojibwe wife Mannowe.
The Clergue Blockhouse was built in 1819 by the North West Company. Clergue bought the property in 1894 to build his industrial complex, which is where he lived. He went on to found Algoma Steel.
The Blockhouse was moved to its present location in 1996 to make way for the expansion of St. Marys Paper Ltd.
Different aspects of the logo represent different elements of the history of the site.
For instance, the upper part of smoke coming out of the chimney symbolizes the eye of a beaver that has witnessed the site’s history.
In general, the chimney smoke represents Algoma Steel, which was Clergue founded and is the main industry in the Sault.
The round shape in the smoke represents the City of Sault Ste. Marie, which purchased the site 60 years ago.
The waves represent the hydroelectric potential of the St. Marys River rapids.
The left side represents the Old Stone House and the right side represents the Blockhouse.
“Actually when I first saw it, I said, ‘I don't know what all this means,’” said Myril Lynn Brason-Lediett, president of the Friends of Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site.
After she read up on what each aspect of the logo was all about, she really liked it.
“Once I saw the explanation for all the different aspects of it, I got it. I think it's a good representation of a lot of the history that went on back then in this area.”
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker called the unveiling an “exciting moment” in the city’s history.
“Before we look ahead, it is important to reflect on where we've come from.
“This year marks 60 years since the City of Sault Ste. Marie purchased the Old Stone House with the vision and dedication of Gladys McNeice and the historic sites board leading the way – and that historic board still serving the community now,” Shoemaker said.
“That commitment set in motion everything we are celebrating today,” he said.
Shoemaker said it's also been 55 years since the Ermatinger Old Stone House was designated as a national historic site and 45 years after being designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Liberal MP Terry Sheehan said he’s been a supporter of projects like this dating back to when he was a city councillor.
“Now as your federal MP, I'm very pleased to bring remarks on behalf of the Minister of Heritage, who's invested in this very important event . . . that really tells us about our shared history together and how we built this community to where it is today,” he said in his remarks.
Today's unveiling was part of Fall Rendezvous & Highland Fest, a four-day celebration of history, culture, and heritage, which is running until 4 p.m.