EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — The Marquette City Commission voted to make major changes in the direction of traffic along North Front Street and South Third Street, turning both streets from one-way to two-way and ordering two stop signs to be placed on North Front. The changes came at the urging of Front Street residents and the Downtown Development Authority. City engineers will decide exactly where the stop signs will be placed. Commissioner Loretta Acocks voted against the changes to two-way traffic. Mayor Michael Coyne and others commended the Front Street Neighborhood Association for its efforts in having changes initiated on Front Street. Commissioner Bill Birch made a motion to have the study begin then so seasonal traffic could be evaluated. Commissioner Donald Potvin, who approved of the Front/Third street study, also wants the city to find ways to reduce traffic in the area. Easing the traffic load might be accomplished by extending Seventh Street south to hook up with the U.S. 41 bypass via Fisher Street and extend Wright Street east to Lake shore Boulevard, he said.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — The “Princess” arrived in Ishpeming this week. A new, small, lightweight telephone, the result of five years of research, is being installed in Marquette County homes, according to William Holmes, manager of the Ishpeming office of Michigan Bell Telephone Co. The new phone is a compact oval-shaped instrument that reduces by more than a third the space needed for current desk-type telephones. The phone is available for use in any room in the home and comes in five different decorator colors – white, beige, pink, blue and turquoise. It is equipped with a dial that lights when the receiver is lifted, or that glows with a soft night light at the flick of a switch. Installer Edward Howe, Route 1, Champion, installed the first “Princess” phone at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William O’Connell of Ishpeming.