Soo Line Historical and Technical Society visits
Soo Line Engine #700, which belongs to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, is seen crossing a trestle bridge for the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society Convention in 2006. This year's annual convention is taking place now in the Upper Peninsula. (Photo by Mike Polsgrove)
This photograph reprinted in the Daily Press in September 2002 shows a Soo Line passenger looking at Upper Peninsula scenery. That year, the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society offered excursions in antique trains. This year's convention, on now, will visit U.P. sites with significant rail history. (File)
A Lake Superior and Ishpeming ore train leaves the Humboldt mine decades ago. Located in western Marquette County, this is the site of the new Eagle Mine, where copper and nickel are mined at Humboldt Mill, first used by Cleveland Cliffs. The SLHTS hopes to visit the destination tomorrow. (Courtesy image)
Years ago, train rides were part of the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society's annual convention. (Daily Press file)
Soo Line Engine #700, which belongs to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, is seen crossing a trestle bridge for the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society Convention in 2006. This year's annual convention is taking place now in the Upper Peninsula. (Photo by Mike Polsgrove)
This photograph reprinted in the Daily Press in September 2002 shows a Soo Line passenger looking at Upper Peninsula scenery. That year, the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society offered excursions in antique trains. This year's convention, on now, will visit U.P. sites with significant rail history. (File)
A Lake Superior and Ishpeming ore train leaves the Humboldt mine decades ago. Located in western Marquette County, this is the site of the new Eagle Mine, where copper and nickel are mined at Humboldt Mill, first used by Cleveland Cliffs. The SLHTS hopes to visit the destination tomorrow. (Courtesy image)
Years ago, train rides were part of the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society's annual convention. (Daily Press file)
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HARRIS -- Today, the 2026 Soo Line Historical and Technical Society (SLHTS) Convention begins. With a central location of the Island Resort and Casino, the event continues through Sunday.
The society celebrates primarily the memory of the Soo Line Railroad, which was established in the late 19th century as a way for lumber and flour producer in Minneapolis to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Gladstone, yet undeveloped at the time, became home to a rail yard and docks to serve the Soo Line, and is therefore one local spot of interest to railfans. Spots along Soo Line and other early railroads became some of the earliest settlements of white immigrants in the Upper Peninsula.
The goal of the SLHTS is “to preserve the long rich history of the Soo Line, along with that of related roads like the original Wisconsin Central, the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic, Wisconsin & Northern and many others which became part of the Soo,” states sooline.org. They “also cover selected aspects of contemporary operations, including U.S. operations of the Canadian Pacific and the Wisconsin Central Division of the Canadian National.”
Historical photographs, documents and other paraphernalia are continuously collected by the SLHTS and its archives committee. Headquarters are now based in Appleton, Wisconsin. The society issues quarterly magazines and organizes excursions for its members annually.
The SLHTS held the 2024 convention at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris, and were reportedly so pleased that they arranged this year’s to be hosted in the same place — but with some different day excursions.
“This year we will head north to the Marquette Iron Range on our Friday field trip,” announced a flyer distributed to members. “Tentative plans start with tours of former mining and railroad facilities near Marquette and the Mineral Range railroad.”
The group intends to visit the historic Negaunee Union Depot and check out the DSS&A Negaunee Freight House. Later, they’ll make their way to the Marquette 5th Street Depot, Dock Number 6 and conclude the outing at the LS&I dock where the U25C locomotive is on display.
While at the convention center in Harris, the society will enjoy a number of sessions, presentations, layouts by model railroaders and photo displays.
To learn more about the SLHTS, interested parties may visit sooline.org.