30 years ago

MARQUETTE – Anglers who have a difficult time reaching good fishing holes are getting some help from a diverse group of local organizations and institutions. Marquette General Hospital, Marquette Board of Light and Power, the Kiwanis Club of Marquette, MFC-First National Bank and Easter Seals of Michigan have teamed up with the Central Upper Peninsula Sportfishing Association to build a barrier-free fishing platform on a popular fishing stream. The organizations donated a total of $5,000 for the ramp project, which includes a 10-foot by 20 foot fishing platform, a paved parking lot, a barrier-free bathroom and a paved trail. The facilities are being built on the Dead River just below the County Road 550 bridge. Construction of the Dead River platform is part of an ongoing Sportfishing association project to develop 10 fishing sites in the central U.P. for disabled anglers, said association member Terry Katajamaki, who organized the fund-raising effort for the Dead River project. The site should be completed in another week or two, said Jack Jorgensen, DNR unit supervisor in the Parks and Recreation Division.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING – Marquette County’s board of supervisors is seeking the construction of a four-lane highway between Ishpeming and the junction of M-95 and U.S. 41 in Humboldt Township. Supervisor Theodore R. Mattson of Ishpeming brought up the subject at the Marquette County Board meeting this week, pointing out that there’s a high accident rate on that portion of U.S. 41 “This is one of the most heavily traveled highways in the Upper Peninsula,” Mattson said, “and it’s two lanes all the way, with a lot of curves and hills.” H.L. Shroeger, superintendent of the Marquette County Road Commission, when asked by Board Chairman Carl W. Corneliuson if he knew of any plans for such construction replied, “There are none in the present five-year program of the Michigan State Highway Department.” Mattson then offered a motion, supported by Supervisor Richard Salmio of Negaunee, that the county board petition the Michigan State Highway Department to begin plans for the construction of a four-lane, divided highway between Ishpeming and the U.S. 41 and M-95 junction. The measure was passed by unanimous vote. Copies of the resolution were ordered sent to the area’s representatives in the State Legislature, the Office of Gov. George Romney, and the highway department.

Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.