In 1934, Captain Milo Beechgood Welch originated the Soo Locks sightseeing boat tours in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was a visionary that sacrificed everything to make his dream a reality. As a seasoned tug boat captain, Milo Welch was employed by the Great Lakes Towing Company and always noticed that the Soo Locks had an attraction with visitors. People were simply intrigued by the ships locking through the world’s largest locking system. At that time, the only passengers that went through the Locks were aboard palatial passenger steamships or shipping company guests riding on the large lake freighters.  In 2022, Interlake Maritime Services assumed operational control of the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours keeping the history alive and working towards a bright future.