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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Construction workers have begun replacing eight of the 17 staircases that were damaged in a May fire on Sugarloaf Mountain. “We have six guys hauling stuff and four carpenters,” said Peter Krook, vice-president of P&M Contractors in Ishpeming, which will receive $60,000 from Marquette County for work on the popular attraction. P&M will replace 300 feet of stairway and a few lower platforms. The three main platforms on the top of the mountain were not damaged. Since the 38-acre fire broke out, Sugarloaf has been cordoned off and off-limits to the public. Repair work is scheduled to be completed by late September.

60 years ago

IRON RIVER — The Hanna Mining Co. announced today it is closing its Cannon iron ore mine because of a lack of demand for the ore. The majority of about 200 workers will be laid off, officials said. The Cannon closing is the second to be announced within a week. Republic Steel Corp. closed its Tobin mine Friday, idling 100 men. Lack of demand was given as the reason. Last year Cannon shipped 670,000 tons of ore. The mine was operated continuously since its rebuilding in 1954. About 1,000 men are employed in five other Iron County mines — the Hiawatha and Homer, owned by National Steel Corp, and operated by Hanna; the Wauseca, owned and operated by Hanna, and the Sherwood and Bristol, owned and operated by Inland Steel.