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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE–While a developer plans to put housing on the south end of the old Cliffs Dow Chemical Co. land in Marquette, a clean-up of toxic waste continues on the north end. The state Department of Natural Resources approved a plan more than a year ago that the “potentially responsible parties” had developed to address the waste problem. The parties involved in the plan are Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Dow Chemical Co., and Georgia Pacific Corp., former partners in a charcoal plant that operated near Lakeshore Boulevard in the ’60s. Officials from those companies could not be reached for comment this morning. Test wells were installed on the property to monitor any migration of contaminants. Soil is also being removed for testing. The nine-acre site is ranked 63rd out of 2,686 contaminated sites under the Michigan Environmental Response Act of 1982. The DNR first listed the site in September 1984. Contaminated at the site are surface water sediment, ground water, and soil, according to the DNR. Included in contaminants are benzene and phenol, both suspected carcinogens. Soil testing done last year on the south end by a private company, Twin City Testing and Engineering Laboratory Corporation of St. Paul, Minn., “concluded that because of the quality of the soil and water, the current owner could proceed with the residential development,” according to a press release from landowner and developer Maurice Warshawsky of Ishpeming. He plans to put single- and multi-family housing on 87 acres. Warshawsky has said he does not intend to develop the contaminated area.

90 years ago

ISHPEMING–Speaking before the Commercial Club of the Ishpeming high school Thursday, James E. Flaa, insurance agent of Ishpeming, gave an interesting address on insurance. He dealt with the subject from two angles, the opportunities for men and women and the advantages derived from an insurance policy. The remainder of the program, under the direction of Miss Carol Dixon and Herman Jaedecke, follows: Commercial song–led by Edith Reed. Ten ways to judge the fineness of a man–Bernice Robare, leader; Lillian Paull, Dorothy Carter, Irene Hooper, Genevieve Tasson, Alice Ollikainen, Helen LaFreniere, Edna Bragg, Hazel Sundblad, Clarence Larson. Vocal solo–Herman Jaedecke. Presentation of typing award–Miss Lowenstein.