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

30 years ago

ST. IGNACE — Traffic over the Mackinac Bridge reached an all-time high in 1988, according to the current issue of the Upper Peninsula Traveler, a bi-monthly publication of the U.P. Travel and Recreation Association. A total of 3,229,466 vehicles crossed the bridge in 1988, an increase of 6.5 percent over the number that crossed during the previous year. Walter North, Mackinac Bridge Authority secretary, was quoted in the Traveler as saying, “Bridge crossings for 1988 more than doubled the crossing level of 20 years ago. There is a tremendous increase in the number of cars and pickup trucks pulling trailers with snowmobiles, which bodes well for the winter season,” he said. Bridge workers have noted a great increase in winter sports enthusiasts heading north this winter.

90 years ago

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming High School debate team defeated the Kingsford High School team in a spirited contest Friday evening in the high school auditorium. John Lemmer, principal of the Escanaba High School, judged the contest and announced that it was with difficulty that he arrived at a decision. Both teams presented their arguments in a clear and concise manner, but Ishpeming’s arguments in rebuttal were considered especially strong. As the result of the victory the Ishpeming team will compete with Gwinn for the Upper Peninsula championship and the winner of that event will be eligible to go to Ann Arbor to enter the state meet.