​Originally from lower Michigan, Mary L. Underwood has worked as a freelance writer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1990 specializing in outdoor and history articles. She moved to Sault Ste. Marie in 2006 and has found herself enchanted with the abundant and romantic history stories in the "Soo." 

"The indigenous people settled here literally thousands of years ago," she explains, "and we are fortunate to have much of their fascinating history intact. And of course the European settlement was established here in 1668, over 100 years before our founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence. Although it wasn't the first place in what became the United States to be settled by Europeans, it was the first settlement in the Midwest, The first settlers arriving here,  had to survive without any hope of a ship arriving from Europe with supplies and assistance. And that in itself is the environment that creates heroes. The stories of those heroes are remarkable.

Would you like to hear more?

​To Contact Mary L. Underwood

write to : P.O. Box 1444

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

or e-mail: munderwood@lighthouse.net 

​The work on this site is ongoing, so please keep checking back.

Background photo "Digging The Soo Locks" is a part of the Mary L. Underwood and Mikel B. Classen collection of historical photos. Ca. 1854

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Welcome!

Mary L. Underwood

Author, Historian, Storyteller

​Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

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