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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — The creation of a new village at Sawyer Air Force Base after the military departs is one of three options being considered by the base conversion authority. The authority is expected to discuss post-military governance of the base at a meeting today. “I’m in favor of keeping things together and leasing where we can to maintain flexibility,” said authority Chairman Ellwood Mattson of Marquette. Mattson said the state Legislature would only consider a bill establishing a village if the townships of West Branch, Skandia and Forsyth, plus the Marquette County Board of Commissioners first approve it. Other governance options include selling off parcels of land gradually to the highest bidder, or transferring some Sawyer assets — buildings or land — to other public entities, such as the local school district. The state law that established the authority last year provided for an initial five years of operation followed by a second five-year cycle if approved by the Legislature. In a written report to the Marquette County Board of Commissioners that will be reviewed tonight, Commissioner Peg Braamse of Marquette suggests that separate governance agreements be established for aviation and non-aviation assets at the base, and that local residents be surveyed to determine public preference on the issue. Separate governance agreements would not allow for the creation of a village at the base.

60 years ago

SAULT STE. MARIE — Work on the second lock at the Soo, which was delayed for a year while the Corps of Engineers restudied its proposed dimensions, is again underway. If no further complications arise, ships should be using it by July 1967. The new facility will replace the Poe Lock, which was built in 1896 to supplant the historic State Lock whose opening in 1855 first made it possible for big ships to enter Lake Superior. The new lock will be 1,200 feet long, 110 feet wide and 32 feet deep. Overall length, excluding guide and guard walls, will be about 1,800 feet, and the clear chamber length between fenders, 1,005 feet. Four fenders, consisting of 3½-inch steel cables mounted on booms, will be stretched across the lock to keep ships which get out of control from damaging the gates.

The cable and hydraulic operated braking system is designed to stop in 81 feet a 73,000-ton vessel traveling two miles an hour. Approximately 75 ships transit the Soo locks daily in the navigation season.