Surviving prehistoric remains in Algoma District are concentrated around
waterways. These remains date as far back as the
Archaic period. There are also sites from the later
Woodland period, with evidence of extensive Late Woodland habitation. Ceramics at Late Woodland sites show predominantly southeastern links, having originated from the
Huron–
Petun complex (broadly
Ontario Iroquoian) as well as from modern-day
Michigan. French explorers arrived in the area by the mid-17th century. As the French penetrated into North America, they established lines of forts and trading posts, often at
river mouths to control trade, especially the lucrative
fur trade. In Algoma, they established
Fort Michipicoten, located at the mouth of the
Michipicoten River where it empties into
Lake Superior. The Michipicoten was one of the geographic features depicted by
Samuel de Champlain on a 1632 map. This helped the French bridge the distance to
Fort Kaministiquia at the head of Lake Superior, and protected the route up the Michipicoten to
James Bay, providing a significant crossroads of water routes.
Administrative history Algoma was created by proclamation as a provisional judicial district of the
Province of Canada, effective October 1859, This was authorized under an act passed by the
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada in 1857. The limits of the district were more specifically described thus: The
district seat is
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. However, it is noted that
Thessalon is where the Algoma District Services Administration Board is located. As the population grew and the northern and northwestern boundaries of Ontario were determined by the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, Algoma shrank. Other districts were created from it by the provincial government of Ontario: •
Thunder Bay District in 1871 •
Manitoulin District in 1888 •
Sudbury District in 1894 •
Timiskaming District in 1912 ==Geography==