OVERVIEW The history of a city is often told in terms of its commercial establishments. As they go, often so goes the city. Sault Ste. Marie is no different, except that its development took place along the banks of the St. Mary's River and gradually expanded outwards. For much of its history, the downtown core, and specifically along Queen Street, represented the heart of the City. It was here that the merchant families and emerging entrepreneurs erected their commercial edifices, some of which remain with us today. A walk down Queen Street from West to East will reveal these historical treasures.