30 years ago

WHITEFISH POINT – Nearly 100 relatives of the crewmen, friends, and dignitaries of the Edmund Fitzgerald crowded the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum for the 20th anniversary of the best known Great Lakes maritime disaster. The night began with a live performance of Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” followed by the ringing of the ship’s bell, 30 times for the lives lost. The day long observance ended in a fire by the lake, telling stories, singing songs, and saying prayers. Future explorations were discussed among the group, as well as pleas for the Canadian government to declare the wreck a cemetery site to prevent divers from disturbing the remains.

60 years ago

K.I. SAWYER – Around 80 National Guardsmen of Co. B. 107th Engineer Battalion, Marquette, spent two days building a bridge and clearing ground for a firing range, two first of its kind projects for this program. The bridge is located near the Dead River Basin about five miles northeast of Negaunee and measures about 64 feet long, passing over Dugout Creek. When the bridge is completed, it will save the public 31-miles of round trip travel to camping, fishing, and hunting sites. Beginning next April through June, the Battalion will spend one weekend per month on more projects in the field for necessary training.