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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE–Police chiefs come and go often in some communities, but Marquette’s George Johnson arrived 26 years ago and never left. This week marks 26 continuous years as the police chief in Marquette, a tenure unmatched in any other Michigan community, according to the city commission, which has declared today “George Johnson Day.” Johnson, 57, went to work for the police department 34 years ago after six years in the Navy. Although eligible for retirement, he said he plans to keep working. “I still enjoy coming into work each morning, and I think I’ll continue to work a few more years,” said Johnson.

90 years ago

BARAGA–Baraga village, Baraga County, so far as known, stands alone in being the only municipality in the state that ever operated without levying a village tax. This fact was brought out probably because of the presence in Houghton of the state tax commission to conduct hearings in determining property valuations in Portage Township. A group of Houghton men discussing taxes of the past and present included in its personnel John A. Cochran, automobile dealer. Mr. Cochran served as a member of the council and president of Baraga Village for several years. “How did you operate?” was the question asked Mr. Cochran. “With revenue received from the sale of saloon licenses,” was the reply. “At one time Baraga had 19 saloons,” said Mr. Cochran, “and in addition to our general expense we paid $500 a year for street lighting and water and some of the citizens thought this latter expenditure the height of extravagance.”