250 to 250:148. Soo Locks, Narrated by Lauren Westphal

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: Soo Locks, Narrated by Lauren Westphal

Lauren Westphal is a proud Yooper born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She is a producer and an independent media strategist. Here, Westphal tells how the Soo Locks unlocked Michigan's iron riches, becoming the "Linchpin of the Great Lakes" that fed America's steel mills and westward expansion.

In 1844, William Burt found a lot of iron in Michigan.

• Iron is used to make steel.
• Ships could not carry the iron because the St. Marys River had dangerous rapids.
• In 1855, the Soo Locks opened.
• Soo Locks are called "Linchpin of the Great Lakes."
• The locks helped ships travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
• Ships carried iron to steel factories.
• The iron helped build railroads and buildings.
• During World War II, most American iron ore traveled through the locks.
• Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes care of the Soo Locks.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 4. Where do you live?
• USCIS 100:92. Name one state that borders Canada.
• USCIS 128:118. Name one example of an American innovation.
• Read: Where is Canada? 
• Write: Canada is north of the United states. 

Family Fun:

• Adventures in Northern Michigan: 20 Things about the Soo Locks
• eek! Environmental Education for Kids: Cargo in the Great Lakes: Iron ore and more (plus many activities)
• Land & Line: Why Michigan Holds America’s Steel Industry Together
• Michiganology: Michigan Iron Ore
• National Museum of the Great Lakes: Illustrated History of the Soo Locks
• Sault St Marie: Soo Locks
• PBS World Greatest Cruises: Exploring the Great Lakes on a Expedition Cruise (Soo Locks minute 15:43)
• USACE: US Army Corps of Engineers | Soo Locks | Water Safety coloring book
• USACE Detroit: New Lock at the Soo: Unlocking the Great Lake | History of the Soo Locks (Vintage Version)
• USACE Learning Center: Brief History of Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Canal
• Upper Pennisula: The Soo Locks: Connecting Lake Superior to the World for Over 150 Years
• uscitizenpod: Soo Locks Centennial single issue coloring page