Neighbourhoods in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario only on maps). Today, just one street deviates from the suburban naming rule: Lake Street, which expanded into the neighbourhood from the south. Pointe des Chênes (French for "Point of the Oaks" or "Oak Point") is a waterfront area in the western end of the city, near the Sault Ste. Marie Airport. Named for the beach of the same name that opens onto Lake Superior, Pointe des Chênes contains waterfront homes on country roads and much undeveloped space. A recent development proposal would see a significant wetland on Lake Superior's shore be removed. Steelton was originally its own community developed
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario the fluid environment changed during and after the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States. Trade dropped during the war and on July 20, 1814 an American force destroyed the North West Company depot on the north shore of the St. Marys River. Since the Americans were unable to capture Fort Mackinac, the British forces retained control of Sault Ste. Marie. In 1870, the United States refused to give the steamer "Chicona", carrying Colonel Garnet Wolseley, permission to pass through the locks at Sault Ste Marie. In order to control their own water passage, the Canadians constructed the