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

30 years ago

HOUGHTON — The Redridge Steel and Log Dams in Houghton County have been added to the National Register of Historic Places for their engineering significance. The two dams, both constructed between 1894 and 1901, were nominated by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office as intact versions of dams used at the turn of the century, said Patrick Andrews, the National Register historian who reviewed the site. “The Redridge Steel Dam is one of only three known fixed-steel dams in the United States and it was nominated as one type of engineering construction that was experimented with, Andrews said. “The Log Crib Dam is an extremely rare surviving example of the commonly used log-type construction.” The nomination was listed in the Federal Register on March 3 and written comments concerning the historical significance of the site were accepted by the National Park Service until March 19. The site was listed in the National Register April 2. The steel dam was never very common because of its high construction cost. The Redridge dam is the largest surviving steel dam from the early 1900s. A property listed in the National Register of Historic Places is not only labeled as a historically significant site but owners can receive tax benefits for most rehabilitation and preservation work done on it.

90 years ago

MARQUETTE — A Marquette County Historical Society program on the history and activities of the organization will be presented at 10:30 tomorrow night over WLUC-TV. Appearing on the program will be Kenyon Boyer, managing director, and Ernest H. Rankin, secretary-treasurer and genealogist, Marquette, who have been affiliated with the society for several years. Some pictures and artifacts from the J.M. Longyear Research Library and some books, maps, and pictures will be displayed, along with a number of exhibits from the society’s museum. The museum is located on N. Front St. in Marquette, adjacent to the Peter White Public Library.