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

30 years ago

MUNISING — Although the process is slow and doesn’t bring any guarantees of bearing fruit, Marquette resident Richard Hendricksen is still bent on putting the McCormick Tract cabins on Grand Island. Hendricksen has been working for many months with the U.S. Forest Service, which is in line to purchase the island, to place the five-cabin group on the 12,000-acre island in Lake Superior’s Munising Bay. He says the response to his efforts has been positive and encouraging, although what will result is still up in the air. “The question is whether the project can make it (economically) with the five cabins … or if I’ll need some additional buildings constructed into a log settlement complete with log motel and other offerings,” Hendricksen said. A strong emphasis would be placed on education in whatever type of complex that would be built, he said, including historical and environmental educational programs. In addition, places for people to eat, sleep, and possibly rent things such as canoes could be offered. If the forest service buys the island and sets it up for management under recreation status — which apparently will happen, Hendricksen said — then there could be 55 acres set aside for commercial activities. The McCormick cabins themselves only cover about an acre of land; but Hendricksen said he might want up to 20 acres for his development. Whether he can secure that much of the land designated for commercial activity is another big question that remains unanswered.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE–Northern Michigan College debaters returned from Evanston, Ill., following participation in the annual Northwestern University cross-examination debate tournament. Winning nine of 14 scheduled debates, Northern entered an affirmative and negative team to debate the national collegiate question: “Resolved, That Congress be given the power to reverse decisions of the Supreme Court.” The negative team, composed of Steven Bosworth, Marquette; Judy Thomas, Negaunee; and Robert Vadnais, Escanaba, defeated the University of Notre Dame, Wisconsin State (Oshkosh), University of Minnesota, University of Illinois (Chicago). It lost to Augustana, Ill., and Wayne State. The affirmative team, composed of John Linna, Ishpeming and Michael Stafford, Marquette, defeated Wheaton College, Michigan State, Marquette University, and Illinois State Normal University. It lost to Northwestern and Drake University. The victories gave Northern debaters a 16-12 record for the semester.