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

30 years ago

HOUGHTON — Warning signs are being posted at the Houghton County Transfer Station because the structure has become a safety hazard, said Jackie Niemi, chairman on the county board of commissioners. The building, constructed in the late 1980s, sits above an old mine stope. The stope leaves a “bottomless pit” beneath the structure, causing the building’s foundation to sink, Niemi said. “We thought the shifting might stop … but apparently that’s not going to happen,” he said Tuesday. The structure, located on Gundlach Road on Technical Drive in Houghton’s industrial park, is shifting an inch or more a month, Niemi said. Several attempts to shore up the foundation have failed.

90 years ago

MUNISING — Reports received from the U. S. Coast Guard Station that most of the dredging equipment, including a 40-foot gasoline boat, a scow and 64 pontoons, lost by the tugs Warrior and John E. Meyer during a severe storm Wednesday night between Sullivan’s landing and Grand Marais on Lake Superior. Leaving St. Clair flats last Saturday morning, the tugs reached the Soo Monday, where they added the boat to their flotilla. They were going to Duluth. Wednesday afternoon a northwest gale started at that night the pontoons started breaking away. Early Thursday morning it was discovered that the scow, with the gas boat, were gone. It was also discovered that a steam pipe had burst on the Warrior. The Warrior blew distress signals to the John E. Meyer, which then cut away the remainder of its tow and took the Warrior in tow. The two boats, with six remaining pontoons, arrived here late yesterday afternoon.