Ishpeming celebrates 150th anniversary of city charter

ISHPEMING -- Ishpeming's sesquicentennial celebration held Monday night honored the city's charter.

The celebration was held in the historic Gossard Building at the Ishpeming Area Historical Society as one of the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours events.

Ishpeming Area Historical Society's Karen Kasper said the event has been planned since July.

"I'm thrilled because it's the kickoff event," Kasper said.

Kasper said 150 years ago on April 10, 1873, Ishpeming shifted from a village into a city, establishing a city government and fire department. She said that this July, the Ishpeming Fire Department will have an open house to celebrate its 150th anniversary, which will coincide with the U.P. Firemen's Tournament being held in Negaunee.

"We're here to celebrate the city's history and we're founded on a lot of history," City Manager Craig Cugini said. "The largest gemstone in America and the world is in the city of Ishpeming, which spurred the mining industry in our area and now we're 150 years old because of it."

Ishpeming's history also goes back with skiing, being home to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

"Just looking at those two items alone is cause to celebrate," Cugini said.

The celebration was open to the public with residents and city government officials spending Monday night celebrating.

"I was born and raised here, been here most of my life, and I was on the (Ishpeming city) council for eight years and I think this is really important to have our residents come out and see this for a change," Ishpeming resident Claudia Demarest said.

State Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, also celebrated Ishpeming's city charter. Hill said she was honored to be at the celebration as a state representative in the heart of the central Upper Peninsula.

"The real strength and pride of Ishpeming is its people and I'm really excited to be here to honor all the folks here past and present," Hill said. "Ishpeming's really been at a crossroads of a lot of economic and social movements in our country and it's really exciting to honor the past and also see the incredible things that are happening here for the future."

For more information on Ishpeming's history, visit online at ishpeminghistory.org.