It’s caused a stir among residents, is the topic of conversation in coffee shops all over the county, and has even attracted the attention of the Michigan Historical Society president.
It’s no great historical find or first that’s caused this buzz, but rather the resurrection of the past—the reopening of Negaunee’s “Old Town” to the public.
Formerly known as the “caving grounds,” the land in question was purchased by the City of Negaunee in 2003 for about $400,000. The neighborhood was called home by many past and present residents, with only foundations remaining to suggest it was ever anything but wilderness.
In addition, the area formerly was a hotbed of mining activity, including open mining pits and underground tunnels—some that caused cave-ins—posing safety concerns. These issues were addressed mainly with fencing and warning signs to keep out unknowing explorers.
“The west fenced area closed off almost a quarter of the town of Negaunee,” Negaunee city councilman Jim Thomas said. “Houses were either moved or torn down if they couldn’t be moved.”
The land purchased from CCI included about 900 acres surrounding Negaunee proper to the south and west. Parts of this area have been fenced off and closed to the public for the better part of fifty years, but they can be accessed now at the west end of Iron Street in Negaunee at many points along the old fence line. Another popular access is the former “dead end” at the west end of Clark Street.
“Rather than keeping it all fenced, we did a closer review of the conditions,” Negaunee city manager Gerald Peterson said. “A number of areas remained fenced off, and will indefinitely. The community wanted access as soon as possible, but we had to consider safety issues as well. I feel we’ve struck the correct balance. ”
City of Negaunee staff, Marquette Fence Company and a fleet of volunteers worked nonstop to get new fencing up, old fencing down and trails blazed in time for Negaunee’s Pioneer Days last summer, which served as a sort of grand opening.
“A lot of old people were in tears, reminiscing about their old neighborhood,” Peterson said.
Current and former residents could tour the property on foot or via golf carts, which were available for rent during the festivities.
“We were overwhelmed with the feedback from this event,” Thomas said. “The feedback indicated that people would like to see the area developed, but not misused.”
Prior to the golf cart rentals, temporary street signs were placed in the area to give visitors their bearings. Points of interest, such as the original site of the iron ore discovery monument, different mining pits and locations of important buildings such the hospital and school, were marked with temporary signs.
“A lot of people had forgotten about the area,” Thomas said. “We wanted people to be able to recognize the streets, so they could find their way around. Once it was open, people lined up to revisit their past.”
In addition, former residents were offered stakes to mark where their family homes had stood, with family name, address and other information. In many instances, only a hint of a foundation or front stairs indicated anything but trees and brush ever occupied those spots.
The fact that the public literally can stroll down memory lane is just the beginning of the exciting things happening in Old Town, however.
The possibilities are endless—from resurrecting look-outs over the mining pits, to opening and securing adits and tunnels for public use.
“We found a number of interesting places near the Jackson pits that could help visitors visualize the type of mining that took place in the 1860s, ’70s and ’80s,” Thomas said. “For instance, in one spot, you can see where the original lift was used by the mining company to raise the ore out of the pit. Something exciting could be done with that.”
The Old Town informal advisory group, created by the city council, has been charged with doing the exploration of these ideas, a task that is overwhelming for a short-staffed city, Peterson said. The twenty-plus-member committee, which had its first gathering in December, meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month in the Negaunee Senior Center. All Negaunee residents are encouraged and invited to join in the process.
“The City doesn’t have the staff to do this,” Peterson said. “It’s going to be up to the community to rally and volunteers to continue some of the projects that are in the works.”
Peterson, volunteers and council members spent hours wandering in the newly opened wilderness to get a feel for what the City had at their disposal. Mapping of the area was done by Thomas.
“The community told us what kinds of things they wanted to see,” Peterson said. “People who understand what we’re doing are very excited. The feedback has been very positive.”
Negaunee’s Land Reuse Plan, adopted in December 2005, calls for open space and recreation, trails, historic preservation and interpretation, and economic development.
“The plan is general in nature,” Thomas said. “It is a guideline for the planning commission and council for reclaiming the CCI lands for public use.”
Peterson said while the plan offers guidance, there are many directions and starting points the city and interested volunteers could embrace.
“We’ve got to find an efficient way to use our resources, and to put all these pieces together,” Peterson said. “It’s going to take a lot of work, luck, cooperation and partnerships.”
Some of that work has been done already, with the new snowmobile trail route now open for riders. The trail goes through about a mile of Old Town, a diversion of Trail 8 through a new historic and scenic path. This route takes riders only a block away from Downtown Negaunee’s “main drag,” Iron Street.
“We’ve brought them here,” Peterson said. “The council’s adopted ordinances to promote snowmobile use. I hope the trail riders make Downtown Negaunee a stop.”
The trail is groomed and maintained by Hiawatha Trails, and already is in use, Peterson said. This new snowmobile route isn’t the only trail being blazed through Old Town, however. A big part of the plan involves the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Peterson said.
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a concept that has been explored for almost ten years by representatives from various community groups, proposes a linear, non-motorized park connecting multiple cities and townships with one thing in common—mining heritage.
“The sites are linked in history and industry, and now would be linked physically,” Peterson said. “Visitors would be able to visit the ore dock in Marquette, but then also get to the Jackson Mine site, where that ore came from, and so on.”
The proposed forty-mile connection would take tourists from Republic to Marquette, with stops along the way at museums, plants, railways and other mining-related sites in between.
“Many people don’t understand the importance of iron ore discovery here,” said Virginia Paulson, president of the Negaunee Historical Society. “This project will reach through the generations when it’s done.”
A paved, twelve-foot-wide, non-motorized path linking the downtowns of Ishpeming and Negauanee should be completed in Fall 2007, pending a transportation enhancement grant from M-DOT. The City should know if they received the money in early January 2007.
This is only one of more than a half-dozen grants the City has received or may receive for projects in or related to Old Town.
A recreational authority to manage the trail, which could involve ten townships and municipalities, is on the horizon. The creation of this authority eventually may come to a community vote, which would ask for one or two tenths of a mil increase to sustain it, Peterson said.
“We would need a body that offers unified maintenance and marketing,” Peterson said.
The trail would encourage visitors to explore the rich mining history in the area by stopping at indoor sites such as the Marquette Maritime Museum, Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township, Negaunee History Museum, Cliff’s Shaft Mining Museum in Ishpeming, Pascoe House History Museum in Republic and many places in between.
“I hope this will perk people’s interest to see other things in town,” Paulson said. “Already, people are interested and are amazed at what we have at the (Negaunee History) museum. They love looking at the pictures of the old houses.”
While she hasn’t done an official count, Paulson said the opening of Old Town drew a lot of interest to the museum, capturing the attention of visitors from twenty-seven different states last summer alone.
“We have to work together with Ishpeming,” she said. “It can happen. We need to concentrate on one thing at a time and get this done.”
For this summer, the museum volunteers are working on new exhibits, including a Railroad Room. She said they chose this theme because of the railroad’s connection to mining, both in delivery of ore and transportation for workers.
“The museum has been gearing up for all of it,” she said.
Specifically in Negaunee, the heritage trail focus would be the two museums, historical buildings such as the Negaunee Fire Hall and the Vista Theatre, and whatever becomes of the new Old Town area.
“There is the potential for a lot of great and exciting things in Old Town,” Thomas said.
When all is said and done, Peterson said the goal is to help resurrect the downtown and to put the area on the map as a unique historical destination.
By becoming a destination on the map, the City hopes some economic development can help strengthen the community. From RV parks to senior housing, there are a lot of ideas on the table. One such vision the City is exploring is a prototype of a log cabin, which would be available for rental by anyone recreating in the area.
“The thought is to create this prototype and then sell it to a developer who wants to create maybe ten to fifteen of them,” Peterson said. “The City doesn’t see itself running this. It would be up to a private investor. I think it makes sense to show them what it is we want for that area.”
This could add to the already-unique lodging the downtown has to offer with The Iron Street Loft and the newly opened Union Station, Peterson said.
Bill Taggart, owner of The Iron Street Loft, said he hopes snowmobilers will enjoy the newly renovated facility, which offers a hot tub, sauna, garage and like-home atmosphere.
“Snowmobiles can ride on almost all the streets in Negaunee now,” he said. “I think this will be good for business.”
Jim Kantola, owner of Union Station, is excited about the prospects Negaunee has on the horizon. He credits Peterson with this progress.
“He was the perfect person for Negaunee right now,” Kantola said. “It finally seems like there’s a future in this town.”
Peterson said any economic development that happens needs to be tied into the theme of Old Town, and, of course, bring in visitors on bicycle, foot, snowmobile and more who would enjoy the experience of the wilderness on the edge of a historic downtown setting.
“It’s a lifestyle choice,” Peterson said. “People will choose to come here for the combination of outdoor opportunities and camaraderie a downtown setting has to offer.”
While the wilderness location certainly is exceptional, there’s no dispute that the history of the area is the main draw. Families are drawn to their old house sites; residents try to locate former business and community gathering locations. And with two large open pits left from mining, no one can forget the history of industry.
“Marji Gesick showed the first mining explorers where iron ore was located underneath a stump back in that location,” Thomas said. “If it weren’t for iron ore, many of us wouldn’t be here today.”
Before opening the area, the City contacted area museums so that any artifacts were put into the public inventory. But much of the history is in the reformed landscape, too large to be housed in any museum, except, maybe, that of Mother Nature.
It is this outdoor park idea that has intrigued many project volunteers. Donations of one of the original electric trolley cars and narrow-gauge rail cars have spurred plans. Restoration of the trolley car has begun, although it’s a painstaking process that requires the expertise of many. Paulson said historical society members and other community volunteers have taken on this project full speed ahead. Car #15, which is the property of the historical society, has revealed both original bells to restorers, and is located outside of the Negaunee Senior Center on Jackson Street.
So will residents need to wait another fifty years to see change and development to Old Town? Peterson said now that the ball is rolling, he hopes it will continue to pick up momentum.
“Expect to see significant developments throughout the next five years,” he said. “We’re going to be looking at a lot of low-cost, high-impact projects to be completed as quickly as possible. We’re really proud of the progress made so far, but the community has to hold its feet to the fire to make significant progress each and every year.”
By using the mining industry—that which first brought people and prosperity to Negaunee—planners hope to bring back the livelihood that once supported the downtown area.
“This time is vital to the restoration of Negaunee,” Thomas said. “We have a golden opportunity to stop the decline of the business district, first to stabilize it, and then to cause growth.”
Thomas said staff, council members and volunteers cannot sit back and wait for someone to do this for them.
“We need to set an example, show by example what a prosperous future Negaunee can have,” he said.
The Negaunee Irontown Association, another piece of the puzzle, is planning historic horse-drawn sleigh tours during their annual Heikki Lunta Winterfest in January. Irontown president Don Gladwell said part of the group’s purpose is to support and promote exciting advancements such as this.
Irontown, whose focus is to plan and coordinate Pioneer Days and Winterfest each year, was involved in the golf cart rentals last summer.
“It’s important for us to help the City with this endeavor in any way we can,” he said. “Promotion of Old Town in each of our upcoming events will be important, and we hope to help bring the public into that area and let them enjoy exploring it as much as we do.”
For more on the sleigh rides, visit www.negaunee irontown.com
For more on the area, visit www.cityofnegaunee.com or take a drive to Negaunee, where Old Town can be accessed from the edge of the downtown area.

Marquette Monthly Article, March 2007 issue

Negaunee takes lead in preserving mining heritage
In March, nine governmental units will receive the articles of incorporation for what will be the Iron Ore Heritage Recreational Authority. Once the authority is created, it will be the largest of its kind in the state.
Three cities and six townships are involved with the project, including Negaunee, Ishpeming and Marquette; and Chocolay, Ely, Humbolt, Negaunee, Marquette and Tilden townships. Previously, each governmental unit had passed resolutions of support for the project, which plans to be an important tourist attraction for the county.
Carol Fulsher of the Lake Superior Community Partnership said the project is getting the attention of statewide officials, as proven by the grant money that has been pouring in. She said groups involved appreciate the investment the state is making in mining heritage, and expects the investment will be repaid.
“We’re working toward a millage vote to establish the authority in the November 2008 general election,” Fulsher said.
The center of the heritage area is the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a concept that has been explored for almost ten years, which proposes a linear, nonmotorized park connecting multiple cities and townships with one thing in common—mining heritage.
The forty-mile connection would take tourists from Republic to Marquette, with stops along the way at museums, plants, railways and other mining-related sites.
The trail would encourage visitors to explore the rich mining history in the area by stopping at indoor sites such as the Marquette Maritime Museum, Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township, Negaunee History Museum, Cliff’s Shaft Mining Museum in Ishpeming and Pascoe House History Museum in Republic.
Once completed, the spine trail will link these important historical sites, but it will be up to the individual communities to connect and market their own landmarks.
“We’re fortunate that the state sees fit to invest in this project,” Negaunee city manager Gerald Peterson said.
On the forefront of the development is the City of Negaunee, which is working actively to develop “Old Town,” one area the trail passes through.
The first section of the trail to be paved runs from the Negaunee Senior Center west to the Brownstone in Ishpeming; it is expected to be operational in Spring 2008. A Michigan Department of Transportation conditional commitment for $400,120 was received to further this project.
“We’re trying to break this project into manageable components, taking pieces we can accomplish and getting them done,” Peterson said. “We’re putting our best foot forward.”
The City of Negaunee formed an ad hoc committee of volunteer residents who are taking on the task of making recommendations to the city council for interpretation of sites that would be connected to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. Subcommittees were formed to write grants, offer direction for historical interpretation, plan and name connecting trails and coordinate Pioneer Day events with the Old Town theme.
“We’ve received enthusiastic and informed input at these meetings,” Peterson said.
The Old Town ad hoc committee meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month in the Negaunee Senior Center. Interested residents are encouraged to attend.
The LSCP has put out a request for proposal for a public art installation in the Old Town area, near the Heritage Trail route west of Negaunee. Artists are asked to interpret three areas: the first iron ore discovery site; the Jackson Mine, which is the first iron ore mine in the Lake Superior region; and the missing community, which consists of steps and foundations of homes and businesses that were relocated once the mines and area was closed to the public. The deadline is March 16. For details, contact the LSCP at 226-6591.
In addition, Negaunee officials arranged a meeting with Ted Ligibel, the director of the historic preservation program at Eastern Michigan University to discuss his potential involvement with the project.
“We’re interested to work with him and his students to get a report and recommendation for preservation and interpretation of Pit #1,” Peterson said.
While there is a lot of planning going on, Peterson said residents can expect to see progress in the near future, including improvement of existing trails in Old Town, signage installed and exciting events during Negaunee’s Pioneer Days in July.
“Our goal is to create a market in Negaunee that doesn’t now exist for bikers, snowmobilers, ATVers and cultural tourism,” Peterson said.
Negaunee needs to capitalize on the gems and resources it has, and Peterson said strong city council leadership and hard work that has gone on behind the scenes has kick-started the process.
“We need steady progress so we can show the community volunteers they are supported in these efforts,” he said. “It’ll never be as fast as people want it to be, but we’re in the hard work part of transforming a community vision into reality.”
Visit www.ironoreheritage.com or www.cityofnegaunee.org for details
—Kristy Basolo

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Last modified: Wednesday, 16 April 2008