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

30 years ago

HOUGHTON — A recently announced merger between two longtime U.P. companies aims to create the largest locally owned construction business in northern Michigan. Champion Inc. President William C. Verrette announced Monday that its subsidiary Herman Gundlach Inc. of Houghton and Champion’s construction division have merged to form Gundlach Champion Construction Services Inc. Gundlach, founded in 1898, and Champion Construction, formed in 1946, are two of the oldest companies in the state.

60 year ago

MARQUETTE — Twenty-nine forest fires burned 126.5 acres of land in the Upper Peninsula state protection area during the past week. That made a total of 464 blazes, which have burned 2,249.8 acres of land in the U.P. state protection area for the year. By comparison, in the same period last year there were 229 fires, blacking 506.3 acres of land. For the year, the Escanaba District has had 128 fires, blackening 97.5 acres.