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

30 years ago

NEGAUNEE — A deer got the worst of a collision with an incoming airplane Friday night at the Marquette County Airport. A Simmons 64-seat ATR jet piloted from Chicago by Joseph Edwards of Marquette hit a runway-roaming deer while landing at the Negaunee Township airport. Compared to the deer, the aircraft received minor damage to a landing gear door. “Apparently this is the first time this has happened,” said Airport Manager Harold Pawley. “We sometimes have to go out to make sure the runways are clear for the early morning flights. During hunting season, they gravitate to places of safety and this is one of them. In the spring, they come into the grassy areas to eat.” Edwards could not be reached for comment this morning. Simmons pilot Mike Uren of Skandia said he’s seen plenty of deer along the runway but has never hit one. “We have the county trucks go up and down the runways to scare them off,” Uren said. “They’ve delayed some landings for a few minutes, but the passengers are pretty understanding.” Pawley said the airport plans to replace a five-foot barbed-wire fence around the airfield, which deer can easily jump over. “We plan on putting in an eight-foot-high chain link fence next summer,” he said, “so hopefully it will keep the deer out.”

60 years ago

HOUGHTON — The Institute on Lake Superior Geology is drawing more than 150 persons interested in the geology and resources of the Lake Superior district to Michigan Tech on May 10-12. Participants are from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario. The program features two days of technical sessions highlighting Precambrian geology. A dinner meeting at 7 p.m., May 10, features Dr. A.K. Snelgrove, head of Tech’s geology-geological engineering department, who recently returned from a Fulbright assignment in West Pakistan. His topic, “Passage to Pakistan” will be illustrated and will also include a travelogue of Indian iron districts. On May 12 field trips are planned to the White Pine Copper Mines, Calumet and Hecla’s Ahmeek Mill, and other points of geological interest.