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

30 years ago

MUNISING — The Munising School Board voted recently to alter the roof design on the Mather Middle School renovation project. The board accepted the recommendation of project engineers Sundberg-Carlson of Marquette to redesign the roof to accommodate a heavier snow load. The building will be more energy efficient when renovations are complete, making the redesign necessary because more snow will stay on the roof rather than melting from the building’s escaping heat, Superintendent Steve Cromell said. The change will increase the cost of the roof renovation from $90,000 to $115,000. The extra money will be taken from other renovation phases, so the overall project cost will remain the same, Cromell said.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Dismantling of the old St. Mary’s Hospital building, landmark in Marquette since 1890, was begun today and is expected to be completed by the first week in June. George P. Mancuso, associate hospital administrator, said the Madison Moving and Wrecking Corp. of Oshkosh, Wis., is handling demolition of the structure, under the supervision of the Menze Construction Co. of Marquette. The same firm razed the old Froebel-Howard School buildings several years ago. The site on Fisher St. is being cleared in preparation for a $1,500,000 expansion program planned jointly by St. Mary’s Hospital and the Diocese of Marquette. New buildings to be erected include a long-term care facility and a psychiatric center. Construction on these two projects is anticipated beginning about mid-summer, according to Mancuso. The old 80-bed hospital unit, dedicated upon its completion in 1890, was used for in-patients at St. Mary’s continuously until 1955, when the new hospital structure was ready for occupancy. From that time until a month ago, when stripping of the building began, it had been utilized as living quarters for the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who operate St. Mary’s.