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

30 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Entering just its fourth year of existence, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum is fast becoming one of the Upper Peninsula’s main tourist attractions. The museum, located at the site of the old Carp River Forge, three miles east of Negaunee on Forge Road, drew a record 14,000 visitors last year and this year is running seven to ten percent ahead of last year’s pace. The museum is located on beautiful grounds with woods and a stream just outside the back entrance of the museum building. A wooden walkway with benches and signs telling the story of early Native Americans, settlers and miners lead the way from the main parking lot to the museum. Inside the museum, displays cover the entire scope of mining life from the discovery of iron ore to the present, including business aspects, mining work, steel products, and the family life of miners.

60 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Witnessed by a crowd estimated at several thousand, who ringed Jackson Bowl seven and eight deep, one of the outstanding features of the 1960 Upper Peninsula Firemen’s Tournament was the fire-fighting demonstration by the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base Department, which followed the commercial parade Thursday night. The demonstration was delayed for more than an hour while parade watchers returned to remove parked cars from the area, but local residents who remained for the show were unanimous yesterday in expressing the opinion that “the wait was worthwhile.” Approximately 600 gallons of test gas were used to drench the bowl area and an old automobile, which was then ignited. Simulating the operation which would be followed in the event fire broke out in connection with a plane crash, the Sawyer Fire Department, armed with the latest in firefighting equipment, moved in and extinguished the blaze.