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THE HISTORY OF
L'ANSE TOWNSHIP
BY
THE AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS OF
L'ANSE HIGH SCHOOL

GRENAFORE WESTPHAL
LOLA MENGE
MADELINE HOLLIDAY
GERTRUDE COSGROVE
HANS TOLLEFSON

ELSIE LEHTO
MARTIN ALMLI
OLIVER THURE
EILEEN LOUGH
HENNING JOHNSON

JOHN McDONNELL
GORDON SEAVOY
EDWARD WESTPHAL
1922

L'ANSE SENTINEL, Publishers







PREFACE
The purpose of this booklet is to acquaint its readers with
the history of L'Anse Township.
Since the State of Michigan is anxious to have a complete
history of its regicns and since the Department of Education is
urging the schools to help in this matter, the members of the
American History Class of the L'Anse High School wish to be
among the pioneers in this work. We have therefore compiled to
the best of our ability all legal records that have been possible to
obtain, and have conversed with many of the old settlers to get accurate accounts of past history.
The information received as we have written it may not be
absolutely correct in every detail, and it may not be as thorough
or as well written as it might be, but we feel that it is a good attempt at least and may serve as a vanguard for future histories
of our township.
The proceeds derived from the sale of the books will be used
by the class for an educational trip to Marquette and the Copper
Country.
We wish to thank all who helped us make this booklet a
success.
The American History Class.







INTRODUCTION
N     STLING about the sides of a beautiful sheet of water, early
-I explorers of the Upper Peninsula came upon the region now
known as L'Anse. Smitten by the wondrous beauty of view
as they topped the hills that surround this elfin glen, they named
it "L'Anse," the arc or handle. The beautiful lake lies like molten
silver in its green girdled nest, now silent or with sudden thrill,
a heaving, leaping thing of life, smashing at its barriers with
thunderous roarings. And silently about it stand the mighty hills
-the "Red Rocks" and the towering pine and hemlock-all mutely

witnessing through ages of time, the emotions of this slip of a
daughter of Neptune-our beautiful bay.
And here came the white man to barter and trade with
Nature's children-the mighty Chippewas-who owned this region
as their home. Here five thousand Chippewas bordered the shores
with the wigwams and their cornfields, for corn was most assiduously cultivated by them. Here came Astor and his bold voyagers and established their trading posts. Here the skins trapped
by the Indians were exchanged for trifles, tobacco, powder and
supplies.
Then came the discovery of copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula and soon a thriving settlement sprang up. The railroad followed and for a time came to rest with L'Anse as its terminus.




From here they trekked to the new Eldorado-the Copper Country.
L'Anse thrived and grew, for great was the traffic through its
portals.
Then came the lumbermen, and with ringing steel they began to dismantle our beautiful hills of their virgin verdure.
Ghastly the slashes that soon began to appear, but Time-Time,
that great physician-has softened the crudities left by man's
hand, and what was once virgin forest, then a jungle of tree-tops
and limbs, has emerged into smiling acres of Cloverland-Nature's
redemption and man's wastrelness.
Here shines the sun with warmer rays, here whispers the
breeze with lighter lays, and here man but tickles Nature with a
hoe and she laughs forth a bounteous harvest. And as one stands
upon its sunlit hills, one cannot help but feel that its beauties are
not doomed to waste unseen, unused, and unappreciated forever.




CHIPPEWA INDIANS AND LEGENDS
HE CHIPPEWA or Ojibway nation was one of the largest
tribes of Indians in the Northwest. They were bitter enemies of the Sioux Indians and their warfare continued
until modern times. Northern Michigan as well as Wisconsin and
MVinnesota were the scenes of many wild battles. In the battle of
Grand Island, the Sioux, greatly enraged, followed some Chippewas and killed them. This caused Chippewa boundary controversies, and the treaty of Prairie Du Chien was made in 1825.
Since this time a great many treaties have been made with the

Indian Camp Meeting Scene at Pequaming
concerning their location on reservations and timber

Chippewas
rights.

DOMESTIC AND FAMILY LIFE
A chief of early days, whose name has come down in history, was Andog-weos. He was particularly noted for his peaceful disposition and intelligence. To the white man he was a guardian spirit, often saving them from murder and pillage. The war
spirit has long since died out with the Chippewas, and they live
quiet and uneventful lives upon their reservations. Even their
ancient heraldry, their totems, seem forgotten, and only those




living at outlying points still practice the Medicine dance, the religion of their fathers.
The weapons and tools of the early Chippewas were arrowheads, axes, hammers, and household implements of all sorts,
made of stone, bone, and other materials. The ice chisels used for
winter fishing were made from the horns of deer, elk, or moose.
They had bowls, spoons, and platters made of birch bark and wood.
They made ornaments of mica, shells, gossils, agates, and pipestone. They also made many tools, ornaments, and weapons of
copper.
The Chippewas dressed in animal skins, particularly deer
skin that was tanned, soft and smooth, and ornamented with
beads, colored porcupine quills, or bands of fur. The garments for
the men consisted of tunic, trousers, leggings, and moccasins,
while the women added a skirt to these. After dealings with the
white men began, the deerskin skirts and trousers were soon replaced with woolen garments. Their wigwams were usually covered with bark, though skins were often used.
Fish and maple sugar were staple articles of diet, and were
important articles in their trading with the whites. Wild grapes,
plums, cherries, berries, nuts, and roots of certain plants were
added to their fare when in season. They cultivated corn, potatoes, squash, and beans but not as extensively as other Indian
tribes. As among all Indians, the drudgery of gathering and preparing food fell upon the women. The men merely killed the larger game.
RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY
The mythology of the Chippewa include not only a great
spirit, good and evil, but also countless minor deities. One of
these is Chebiabose, keeper of the land of souls, who appears as a
human skeleton, armed with bow and arrows. Many of their winter tales were about cannibals and fairies having supernatural
powers. A greater number of these stories are of wizards, sorcerers, and the evil spirits of land and water.
Nanabozho is prominent as one of the demi-gods. He appeared in countless forms with all the attributes of a god and the
weaknesses of a man. Though he could often change his form at
will, he was often in straits for a meal. He had power to send
birds and beasts on all sorts of errands, but when they danced
before him, he did not hesitate to take a fat duck for a meal. He
is connected with the Chippewa version of the deluge, and recovery
of the earth.
The following account was given by a chief named Osjewegum (Log on Stream). "The earth was made by Nanazozho. He
and two wolves were out hunting; after two days one wolf parted
from them, the other continued with Nanabozho and was adopted
as his son. Nanabozho knew there were devils in the lake, so he
and his son went to war with them and destroyed all the devils in
one lake, but every deer that the wolf chased would run into one
of the other lakes. One day the wolf chased a deer and it ran upon
the ice; the wolf followed and just as he caught the deer the ice
broke and both fell in and the devils caught and devoured them.
Then Nanabozho went up and down the shore lamenting the loss
of his son. A loon in the lake heard him and asked him what he
was crying about. The loon then told Nanabozho what had be



fallen the wolf, and also told him he might see the devils if he
would go to a certain place where they came out to sun themselves.
Nanabozho went, and saw the devils in all manners of form,
snakes, bears, and son on. When the two-headed devils got on
the bank they saw Nanabozho and sent a very large devil in the
form of a snake, to investigate. When Nanabozho saw the devil
coming he turned himself into a stump. The devil coming up,
wrapped himself around the stump and squeezed so hard that
Nanabozho was abut to cry out when the devil uncoiled a little;
then he wound himself about the stump and squeezed still harder.
The pressure was so great that Nanabozho was just about to cry
out with pain when the devil relaxed himself and went back to his
companions and told them it was nothing but a stump. The devils
were not convinced and sent a bear; the bear hugged and clawed
and bit the stump. He did this repeatedly until just as Nanabozho
was about to cry out, the bear returned and told the devils it was
nothing but a stump, whereupon the devils all went to sleep in the
sun. When Nanabozho was sure they were asleep he took his
bow and arrows and shot the two great devils. When the rest
awoke, they pursued Nanabozho with a great flood. He heard it
coming and ran from hill to hill until he got to the top of the highest mountain. Then he climbed the highest pine tree he could find,
but the waters followed him to the top. Then he prayed that the
tree might grow, and it grew but the water still rose higher. He
prayed that the tree might still grow more, as the water was up
to his chin. He prayed the third time but the tree grew only a
little.' Then looking about, he saw a number of animals swimming, among them the beaver, otter, and musk-rat.
Nanabozho called them his brothers and bade them come
to him. When they came he said, "We must have some earth or
we will die." First the beaver dived down, but he drowned before
he reached the bottom. Then the otter went down, but he lost his
senses before he could get a bite of soil. Then the musk-rat went
down; and just as he got a bite of earth he lost his senses and
floated to the top.
Nanabozho had them brought to him and he examined all
their claws, but found no earth except in those of the musk-rat.
He took this in his hands, rubbed it, and held it up to the sun until
it was dry. Then he blew it all around the water, and land appeared.
THE "BEAR-WALK"
The "bear-walk, as the Indians call it, is the cruise of the
animal at twilight, or the spirit of the sorceress, or the
medicine woman. This caricature of a weasel, owl, or some other
thing is illuminated at night, the light coming from this source.
It is thought by the Indians of Zeba that Mrs. Elijah at
some time purchased the secret or formula from some medicine
man.
In order to make this medicine act, it is put into some aninal skin and it travels until it finds its victim. This, the Indians
say, is the spirit of the medicine man or woman traveling.
This is the only way the medicine can be used. It is said
that if one of the "bear-walks" is killed, the person who sent it
out will die immediately.




This power of the medicine man or woman is left to one
person in the tribe, usually inherited, but it can be purchased, not
for money, but for whiskey, beads, or other goods.
The Indians only suspect and accuse Mrs. Elijah of having
this power, and think that she has been sending out the "bearwalks," but this has not been established to a certainty.
NANABOZHO AND THE CHERRIES
One day Nanabozho was walking through the forest and
came to a small stream and in it he saw branches of large ripe
cherries. He sat for some time on the bank of the stream wondering how he could get the cherries without wetting himself. Finally he came to the conclusion that he would have to jump in after them. Jumping head first into the stream where he thought
the cherries were, he hit his head on a large flat rock at the bottom. For only a second he was stunned, as he was a very active
individual and feared by all the Indians for his trickiness. When
he looked upward he saw the cherries on the branches overhanging the stream. Very much bruised and embarrassed he crawled
out and thought no more of the cherries.
DANCE OF THE CHIPPEWAS
The ceremonial dances may be described as follows: "The
Indian band parade two abreast, leaping and chanting in time with
the drums. Then the drummer goes around this circle three times
with a short double step,first on one foot and then on the other.
The Indians are painted, some all black, some half black and half
red. Their heads are ornamented with feathers and their hair
plaided with little bells and trinkets in the braids. From their
belts hang small looking-glasses, their knives, and the skins of
birds. Their ankles are bound with bands of fur. Some wear
moccasins and some a fox's tail streaming from each heel. Their
faces are painted red, green, yellow or black, in circles, lines, stars
and points. During pauses of the chanting a warrior would tell
of his exploits in war or chase.
"The drums mentioned are used in ceremonies of all kinds
and are made of pieces of wood hollowed out, and the ends covered with rawhide, stretched while wet so that it is tight when
dry. The only instrument among the Chippewas that is really
musical is the flute with three holes. It is played by an expert,
and this makes pleasant but mournful sounds. It is used mostly
in courtship."
MOURNING FOR THE DEAD
The Chippewas in former times buried their dead by enclosing the remains in a box or bark shell. This was placed upon
a scaffold about ten feet high, made of four saplings having cross
pieces bound to them. Upon these the box rested. They often
planted vines at the base of the saplings which soon grew and
covered the box. One reason why they favored this method was
that they did not like to have their dead put out of sight so soon
by putting them in a grave. After a time, when the remains were
interred, a covering was built over the graves, made of young
saplings which were built together like a small house or wigwam.
An opening was left in one end to insert food. If it were a warrior, the pole or gravepost was set un in front of the opening.




This was painted red and ornamented with the metal or other
trinkets of the deceased, strips of fur, feathers, bits of tobacco,
and sometimes scalps.
The Chippewa men when in mourning painted their faces
black.
The Indians of Zeba have their cemetery in the Pinery. They
still build houses over their graves but some have followed the
custom of the whites.




EARLY SETTLERS AND TRADING
Many were the men who were real founders of townships,
but whose names have not gone down in history. Yet those of
whom we do have records were sturdy settlers who had much to
deal with. These brave men had to endure many hardships. They
worked towards earning a livelihood in a wilderness which promised much.
Of the earliest of our nioneers on record. Peter Crebassa
stands out clearly. In the early days all that suggested civiliza
A Typical Home of the Lumbermen, L'Anse Township
tion in the wilderness were the fur trading posts. Mr. Crebassa,
an agent for the American Fur Trading Company, was obliged to
travel along the shores of Lake Superior from Sault Ste. Marie to
Fond du Lac. Severing his relations with the company in 1838, he
purchased a stock of goods and started a post for himself at
L'Anse where the Methodist Mission of today stands. He was
appointed postmaster in 1852. Mr. Crebassa continued his trading for about fifteen years. Besides his position as postmaster he
held several public offices.
About the year 1852, Bishop Baraga brought Edward St.
Arnold to the Head of the Bay for the purpose of teaching the Indians farming. Mr. St. Arnold and some helpers showed the Indians how to build log cabins and taught them to haul wood in the




wintertime. Oxen were used to drag the plows which prepared the
soil for planting. The Farmer made L'Anse his home for the rest
of his life. Some of his descendants are still living at the place
where he made his settlement.
Captain James Bendry, a salt water seaman, sailed up Lake
Superior and made Keweenaw Bay his headauarters. He saw the
possibilities of utilizing his boat for carrying lumber to Houghton. Since there was no saw mill here, he built one and constructed a small village around it. His boat was the only one plying
between L'Anse and Houghton at that time. Later, when the
brick yard came into existence, he was one of the owners. He
helped to plot the town, one street of which is named after him.
One of the earliest prominent business men was Samuel
Lloyd. Coming to America from England while a young man, he
proceeded across the continent to Houghton where he engaged in
the hotel business. When the railroad was built to L'Anse he
moved his hotel here. The removal was effected by water under
the management of Captain Bendry. Two large scows were lashed
together to receive the building which extended over the two boats
on heavy timbers. The strange lookinw craft was towed by Captain Bendry's tug from Houghton to L'Anse, a distance of thirty
miles. The trip was made at night when the water was calmest.
The hotel was in full running condition with everything in it, even
to the family. To prevent collipsion, a light was placed in every
window. When the journey was completed and the hotel unloaded, improvements were made on it. At one time this was the
leading hotel of L'Anse.
Mr. Lloyd served as deputy sheriff several years and as
marshal of the village for two terms.
In July 1871, James B. Smith of St. Claire County, Michigan, came to L'Anse, which was then only a collection of three
or four houses. He erected the first business house in town. He
engaged in merchandising and also as a dealer in feed, hay, and
grain. His stock, worth twenty thousand dollars, was kept in a
large warehouse near his place of business on Main street. Mr.
Smith was a member of the village council seven years and president of the village for two years. He was one of the leading
pioneers of the town and his death in the Fall of 1921 caused
much grief among his fellow pioneers.
The year 1871 brought another prominent citzien to L'Anse.
He was August Menge, a printer. He opened a sample room, became interested in politics and was elected county treasurer in
1878. He was reelected to this office in 1880. Mr. Menge also
served as secretary of the L'Anse school district for six years. He
died December 24, 1920.
Ezra T. Williams was brought up on a New York farm. In
1857 he went to Geneva, New York, where he took up work on
harbor improvements. The following year he came to the Sault
River on business for the firm which employed him. On the death
of the senior member of the firm, Mr. Williams bought the interest of the heirs in the business. John Upham was brought into
the business in 1870 and became an equal partner with Mr. Williams. They located in L'Anse where the~T operated six steam
dredges, and three tugs called the Eliza Williams, T. L. Danforth,
and J. H. Upham, Junior. The firm also maintained a full set of
diving apparatus and employed an average of seventy-five men.




Mr. Williams did not make L'Anse his home until 1873, when he
built a large, commodious house on an elevation in the northern
part of the village, on the eastern shore of Keweenaw Bay. Mr.
Williams and his partner were the first to make harbor improvements with steam power, west of the Sault River.
John Q. McKernan and T. W. Edwards were the members
of the firm of the L'Anse Brewing Company. The business was
established in 1873 by Mr. McKernan and Henry Steinbach. In
1870 Mr. McKernan was appointed by the Legislature as one of
three commissioners who were to survey and construct a road
from Fort Wilkins, Keweenaw County, to Ontonagon. On completion of the road the brewery was started in 1873 and this
marked the beginning of Mr. McKernan's residence in L'Anse.
Mr. McKernan served as chairman of the Board of Education of L'Anse township for eight years. In 1880 he was elected
justice of the peace and treasurer of the village.
Nothing has been said of those who taught in the L'Anse
school, but one whom we must not forget is N. Hayden, principal
of the school for the term 1879-1880. He received his early education in the schools of Springport, Jackson, County, Michigan,
and finished at the Michigan State Normal School in Ypsilanti.
Mr. Hayden taught one year at L'Anse and was transferred to the
Stonesville school for the following year. L'Anse must have had
an attraction for him, for he returned the next Fall (1881) and
remained several years. The school was graded and had an average of one hundred sixty pupils who were taught by Mr. Hayden
and three assistants.
Among the oldest living pioneers of L'Anse Township is
Herman J. Seifert was born in Germany, September 30, 1852. He
came to America in 1872. After spending a few months in Cleveland, Mr. Seifert came to the Lake Superior region where he located at M1arquette and made that his home until 1876, when he
came to L'Anse. Here he onerated a barber snop and notion
store. In March 1861. the Berlin Hotel was opened by Mr. Seifert
and Frank Sen-ebusch. The L'Anse fire of 1896 which rendered
so many homeless, ruined business places of a great many. Mr.
Seifert was among those whose establishments were destroyed.
C. P. Blankenhorn came to Lake Superior in 1870. After
learning the butcher's trade from his father, he came to L'Anse
in 1872. In May 1872, he formed a partnership with Louis Meissel in the butcherinp business, under the firm name of Blankenhorn and Meissel. The partnership continued until June 1878 when
Mr. Meissel retired. From that time Mr. Blankenhorn continued
the buqiness until his death.
Patrick Brennan was born in Ireland. March 2, 1845. He
came to America in May 1861, and made his home in Detroit where
he was engaeaed in the dry goods trade. In 1872 he came to
L'Anse and enpgaed in the same business. Mr. Brennan carried
an average stock of general merchandise worth eipht thousand
dollars. The orieinal business was established under the firm
name of Penberthy and Brenenan. In Anril 1880. Mr. Brennin
nurchased his partner's share, and from that time continued the
business alone.
E. L. Mason came to the Upper Peninsula in 1856, and was
in the employ of various mininp companies in the Copper Country. He came to L'Anse in 1871 and organized a bank which op



ened in October, 1871. Mr. Mason's partners were J. A. Hubbell
of Houghton, S. L. Smith of Lansing, William Harris and John
Chassel of Houghton.
J. G. Turner, M. D., was born near Baltimore, July 12, 1856.
The education he received was at the Baltimore City College. He
took a regular course at the University of Maryland, and graduated from the medical and law departments in 1877. He was appointed resident physician to the Mackinac Indian Agency which
had its headquarters in L'Anse, and included all of the Indians of
the Upper Peninsula. In 1898 he went to Houghton County to
the Arcadian mine where he acted as the mine company's resident physician. He remained there until 1900 when he moved to
Houghton and became physician at the Isle Royale mine. In
addition to his position at the time, Dr. Turner was engaged in
the practice of medicine in Houghton. About 1918 the doctor succeeded the late Dr. E. A. Abrams as a member of the State Board
of Health and later as a member of the State Advisory Council
of Health, when that body succeeded the former state board. Dr.
Turner at the time of his death, April 4, 1922, was vice-president
of the State Council.
Sylvester Kinney, editor and proprietor of the old Lake Superior Sentinel, was born May 30, 1850. In 1873 he went to Michigamme. He learned the printing trade and in 1880 opened a job
and newspaper printino' office. He published the "L'Anse and
Michig'amme Bee" at Michieamme about a year and then moved
his office to L'Anse. changing the title of the paper to the Lake
Superior Sentinel. In addition to his printing business, Mr. Kinney served as notary public and attended to all legal business,
such as collection, conveyances, and the conducting of suits in the
justice court.
John B'rady. merchant. established his business in Ontonagon County, Michigan. in 1851, and in L'Anse in 1871. He was
born in Ireland, March 17, 1828. His parents died when he was
a child and he was taken to England where he was brought up
and educated. He was married at Leeds. England, in 1848, to
Miss Catherine Boyne. Almost immediately after their marriage
they emigrated to America. Mr. and Mrs. Brady made their home
at St. Louis, Missouri. but in 1851 they moved to Greenland, Michioan. where Mr. Brady continued his business of merchandising.
In 1871 Mr. Bradv moved to L'Anse where he established a thriving business house.
One of the early pioneers of the Upper Peninsula was Oscar
J. Foote, who was born in New York State. June 3, 1822. He
went to Milwaukee in 1843 and three years later to Sault Ste.
Marie, where he resided until 1857. In that year he went to Ontonagon, where for three years, he had charge of the boarding
house for the mining company near L'Anse. IHe was elected judpe
of probate in Houghton County in 1864 and served four years. He
was supervisor of L'Anse Township eleven years. In 1875, when
Baraga County was organized, Mr. Foote was elected register of
deeds and clerk of the court.




BEGINNINGS OF L'ANSE
In early times, when missionaries were zealously selecting
the most favorable points for missions, the region about Keweenaw
Bay seemed to have attracted the attention of these men, but
although several of them remained for a while, no permanent mission was established until two hundred years after the first missionary came here.
Life about Keweenaw Bay prior to 1871 involves the work
of two missions and fur trading with the Indians. John Holliday
was the first to establish a post here, while Peter Crebassa also
was an early fur trader.
The first act toward organization of this part of the state
was by the Michigan Legislature, March 9, 1843, to divide the
Upper Peninsula into six counties. On May 8, 1846, Houghton
County was organized and divided into three townships, of which
L'Anse was one. The first election was held in 1848 at the home
of Mr. Knapp. William A. Pratt was elected first supervisor of
the township. He was also chosen chairman of the board of supervisors which met at Eagle River on January 20, 1849.
About the year 1870 attention was called to this point as
the best, safest, and most beautiful harbor on the bay and as a
good outlet by water for a portion of the vast lumber and mineral
wealth of the north end of this -eninsula.
In 1871 the Marquette, Houghton, and Ontonagon Railroad
was built and with this and the other advantages of the place,
the prospects were so promising that people rushed in here from




all parts of the county in anticipation of the future wealth that
would come of the investment. So intense became the excitement
that large houses were loaded on scows and floated thirty or forty
miles to this point; people could not wait to build.
In this year (1871) the railroad was completed and in July
a settlement was platted by S. L. Smith, Charles H. Palmer, and
Captain James Bendry. The town was divided into twenty-five
blocks; the original plat contained the names of twelve streets
designated as Front, Main, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Menard,
Bendry, Division, River, Broad, and Rrailroad. The average price
of a lot on Main street was from one thousand to two thousand
dollars, and all were sold. These outside parties platted a large
town and sold their property at high prices. Several hundred
inhabitants flocked in with the hope that this town would become
of considerable importance and possibly a rival of Marquette.
A large freight and ore dock was built by the railroad
company in 1872, which had eighty-three pockets with a capacity
of six thousand, six hundred tons. The iron ore was hauled by
rail from the mines of Ishpeming and Negaunee. The cars were
taken out on the dock, the ore dropped into the chutes and slid
into the holds of the big boats, which came to take the ore away.
The dock at Marquette was built because it was said that the ore
could be hauled cheaper and quicker to that point, with the result
that business began to decline at L'Anse and hard times began.
In 1884, twenty-five thousand sixty-seven tons of iron ore were
shipped from the iron district through the points of Marquette,
L'Anse, and Escanaba.
When copper was discovered in the north end of this peninsula the ore was hauled from the mines in wagons drawn by oxen
to L'Anse and shipped from here by rail or boat.
Boats often came here with provisions for the stores, which
consisted also of gasoline and kerosene, because there were no
electric lights and the people had to use lamps. One day in December a large freight was driven by a storm on the lake into the
bay. This boat was loaded with kerosene, gasoline, and iron pipes.
They tied up at the pier, planning to stay until the storm had
subsided. The crew was very mutinous and were continually quarreling. During the night the boat caught fire, making a great
blaze, and every little while a barrel of the gasoline or kerosene
would explode, causing a loud noise. A west wind was blowing
and the town was in great danger. The dock caught on fire but
the wind soon shifted to the east and the flames were driven in
the opposite direction. After the flames subsided the boat sank
and divers were hired to get the valuables. For some years afterwards barrels of kerosene were found in the water. The dock was
never repaired and the rest of the sunken freighter is still there.
The railroad company also built what is now known as the
Thomas Hotel, for the offices of its men. After Houghton became
the terminus of the railroad this building was operated as a hotel;
it is still owned by the railroad company.
Things moved along nicely and L'Anse progressed rapidly,
but the bright prospects which seemed to be in store for the village
were almost obliterated by the panic of 1873, when the speculative properties of the enterprise became apparent. Stern reality
took the place of fiction and L'Anse developed more slowly. Spec



ulation ceased and the growth of the village proceeded along sober
and rational lines.
For some unexplainable reason every effort to resurrect the
dead ambition has proven futile. Many abandoned all hopes and
left the earnings of a life time which had once seemed so full of
promises.
The location remained with every quality it ever had, so
far as a shipping point is concerned. The iron district was approached within five miles of L'Anse Township and it was expected that the metal would be shipped from this point. At one
time locations were laid out for one or more blast furnaces, but
due to the panic, the project was not pushed forward.
L'Anse still has the same advantages of a manufacturing
point as it had then. Those who lived here at that time were indifferent to every proposed project to revive the town. Beautiful
sites for residences were then unoccupied, splendid water power
went to waste, and a heavy gloom settled over the future that
was once so bright.
Those men who remained here thoroughly understood the
situation and remained to make the best of it. They were wide
awake, energetic, and conducted the business of the town in a
manner that was a credit to them. They recognized the difficulties
under which they worked but still hoped for better things. Those
who were engaged in trade had a large business derived from the
town and surrounding country.
The first hotel to be established in L'Anse was the L'Anse
House, in 1871, by Samuel Lloyd. A stone foundation fronting
Main street was built and the house placed upon it. The Lake
Linden House was moved here from Lake Linden in 1872 by Prosper Roberts. Like the L'Anse House, a stone foundation was built
for it on the same street just north of Meadow Creek (now called
Linden Creek). Later the Coles, Berlin, Ottawa, and Voetsch
Houses were built and operated as hotels.
It 1875 it was decided that Houghton County should be divided and thus on April 13, 1875, it was separated and Baraga
County was organized with L'Anse as the county seat. The first
election of county officers was held in 1876. The first meeting of
these officers was represented by the following men: E. L. Mason
of L'Anse Township as chairman, James Bendrv of Baraga Township, Walfred Been of Arvon Township, and W. H. Morrison of
Spurr Township.
The question of erecting a county court house was brought
before the people in the summer of 1882, and the vote was taken
to raise ten thousand dollars to build it. The project was sustained by a vote of one hundred fifty-eight against ninety-five.
As there was a sufficient sum in the county treasury to meet this
expenditure the question of issuing bonds was not tacken up, as it
had been decided before. The court house was completed in 1884,
costing eleven thousand. nine hundred forty-five dollars. The old
county jail was built in 1883 and soon this became too small, so a
new jail was started which was completed in 1912.




INDUSTRIES AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT
Among the earlier industries of L'Anse township were fishing, trading, farming, quarrying, brick manufacturing, and brewing. Those of the present are lumbering, agriculture, and fishing.
About the year 1870 attention was first called to this point
as an outlet by water for a portion of the vast lumber and mineral
wealth of this end of the peninsula. It was thought at that time
that nothing could prevent a city frcm being built here which would
be a rival of Marquette as a manufacturing city.
TRADING
As early as the year 1828 trading was carried on with the
Indians by the Astor and American Fur Companies, and a profitOne of Our Beautiful Streams
able business flourished. In 1836 the Hudson Bay Fur Company
established a post near Zeba and built up a profitable trade with
the Indians and trappers. This post remained here for about
fifteen years, and practically ended the fur trading business with
the Indians in this locality.
LUMBERING
Nothing helped to build up our community so much as the
lumbering industry. A great variety of trees abound in this section of the country, which are used in the manufacture of lumber. Among these the most important and abundant are maple
(both hard and soft), hemlock, basswood, birch (red and white),
elm, ash, and spruce. Other woods which are not so abundant but
are used in making lumber are pine. balsam, oak, and cedar.
The first sawmill erected at L'Anse was in 1838 by Charles




Childs. This mill operated for twelve years but was destroyed
by fire in 1850. At this time the chief wood used for lumber was
pine. There was a great demand for this highly valuable wood,
of which there was also an abundant supply near L'Anse, at a
place now called the Pinery, where buckleberries and blueberries
grow in abundance. The very best timber was taken out and much
which we of today would call fair timber was discarded as poor
material. The hardwoods such as maple, birch, and elm were not
taken at all, only the softwoods being used.
In 1893 the J. B. Smith Lumber Company built a sawmill
at L'Anse, near the site of the present mill. It operated for three
years and was destroyed in the great L'Anse Fire of 1896 when
half of the town burned.
Ground was broken September 16, 1912 for a sawmill at
L'Anse by the Marshall Butters Lumber Company. The mill was
completed on June 15, 1913 and began operations at once. It was
operated steadily until the strike in the summer of 1920 when it
was shut down two months. It was also closed down from August
to January 15, 1922 because of the low timber market. Today it
is in full operation, being one of-the largest mills in the Upper
Peninsula.
In connection with the lumbering industry we may include
the pole industry also. In 1900 the Worcester Pole Company established a yard here, but after a few years of operations they
sold out to the National Pole Company who are operating the yard
to the present day.
FISHING
The fishing industry is also worth mentioning. Fishing has
been carried on since the first white settlement and probably before. Among the fish which abound in the bay and rivers are
trout, whitefish, herring, suckers, and some pike and bass. Fishing as a business has been mostly carried on by individuals. The
industry is very profitable and there is a large area for operation on the bay. At the present time there are several fishermen
who follow this trade and make a profitable and comfortable living
by it.
AGRICULTURE
In early years it was thought that on account of the height
and latitude of the country on the southern shore of Lake Superfor, it would never be a good farming country. But the country is covered with immense tracts of rich land, timbered mostly
with maple and birch. and the soil is adapted to the growth of
most of the crops of ordinary farming. The season is very short
but the vegetation matures very rapidly. The principal crops of
this section are oats, hay, potatoes, and corn.
Farming as an industry has developed along with the lumbering industry from  the time of the first settlement. Many
French Canadians came to this part of the country and began
farming. The Homestead Act also encouraged farmers to settle
around L'Anse, clearing land, raising crops, and making necessary roads, schools, and other agencies which go to help advance
a community.
An idea of the extent of farming in L'Anse township of
today may be gained by observing the following facts.
In 1919 there was harvested on two thousand one hundred




thirty acres of land, sixty-eight thousand, seven hundred fifty four bushels of oats; eight thousand ninety bushels of wheat on
six hundred sixty acres; twelve thousand, one hundred seventyfour tons of hay on eight thousand, three hundred ninety-eight
acres; and sixty-seven thousand, seven hundred fifty-four bushels
of potatoes on six hundred one acres of land.
Today the farmers are rapidly increasing in L'Anse township, and owing to modern methods, machinery, government bulletins, and help, the farmer is greatly aided in getting better
results from the land.
QUARRYING
Very early geologists pronounced that all Baraga County
was rich in iron and other minerals; yet this offered no encouragement to explorers. The Farm, Beaufort, and Webster mines were
started, but we hear nothing of them now, so there is little faith
to be placed in these geological evidences.
The Clinton and Huron Bay quarries, northeast of L'Anse
were begun in 1872 by Brown and Whitmore, superintended by J.
J. Williams, under whom the quarries were opened. These quarries were gradually increasing their facilities for getting out roofing slate to meet the growing demand of that article at Detroit
and Chicago, and although these mines were situated in Arvon
township they had become a great source of revenue to this township. Slate was first used for the Methodist church at L'Anse
when the church was built in 1873. The works closed down in
1881 when the name was changed to the Michigan Slate Company.
This company operated the quarry for several years, but as the
pit was getting so deep that it tock a great deal of work and capital to get the slate out, they ceased onerations.
The Lloyd and Roberts quarry was started in 1877. It was
located about two miles southwest of L'Anse and was supposed to
possess the most extensive slate strata in the county. This mine
is not working now but at that time the slate from this quarry
received high praise everywhere.
There were also two brownstone auarries near L'Anse on
the property now owned by Peter Crebassa. One of these quarries
was owned by Mr. Harley. Later they discontinued their work
because the stone became too soft to handle. There is a monument at Belle Isle Park in Detroit made of the brownstone from
th's quarry.
The other quarry which was owned by Mr. Shields has never
been worked although about fifteen thousand dollars were expended on it.
Within the township there are also several deposits of
graphite which have been frequently worked even up to the present day. One of these deposits is near section sixteen; it was
worked during the winters of 1912 and 1914 and during the summer and winter of 1919. The graphite is of good quality and the
ore was shipned by rail to Detroit.
In 190( the graphite mill was begun in the old round house;
it was run by water power furnishedby the Falls River, and ran
intermittently for four years, and then closed down.
BRICK MAKING
Another old industry of L'Anse township was brick making. The site of the old mill is on the Fequaming road about half




a mile from town. It was first operated by Mr. Bendry, and the
first brick made was used in the construction of the present Brennan's store. After running for a number of years it closed down.
In 1896 it started again under the proprietorship of John Campbell, Phil McKernan, and two other men from Marquette, and operated for about three years. The brick which they manufactured
was dry pressed. The Wolf Brothers then obtained control of the
mill and it was operated two years. The brick made by them was
mud brick; Since then the mill has never been operated; the
building has decayed and the remains of the structure can still
be seen. The raw material which was red clay was obtained from
near-by clay beds, and a prosperous business flourished while it
lasted.
BREWING
As for the old brewery which was located in L'Anse on
Broad street, much need not be said since the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution has gone into effect.
It was first operated by Meissler quite a number of years.
It then closed down permanently and another industry of L'Anse
township nerished as so many like it have in the last few years.
During the time of its operation however the industry enjoyed a
very flourishing trade.
The fine water power running to waste within a short distance of MVain street is of sufficient capacity to operate a factory
of medium size. Why some industry does not select this point to
engage in manufacturing of some kind is a mystery that can only
be explained by the fact that those who have tried in the past have
been unsuccessful, thus discouraging others from making an attempt. Perhaps a handle factory or chemical plant would be
very suitable for such a place where the power and raw materials
can be obtained near at hand.
Within the last few years several projects have been circulated about in regard to some new industry here, but so far
these have failed to materialize. The probability of Ford beginning lumbering operations in L'Anse township produced quite a
sensation in the year 1921. The latest project in view is the probable establishment of a cheese factory, which is being strongly
promoted by Mr. E. J. Westphal a farmer of L'Anse township.




SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES
Looking upon the landscape from either shore one does not
wonder that the natural beauty attracted, the early Indians with a
lake in front of them full of the best variety of fish, but one can
not but marvel what this country must have been in its original
state. From time immemorial these sons of the forest must have
made Keweenaw Bay, if not a permanent dwelling place, at least
a resting place during the warmer portion of the year. Indeed

Orphanage and Convent, Assinins
Father Menard found in the Fall of 1660 on the east side of the
bay, a band of Ottawas wintering there. That any other white
man ever before visited the place is not known, and not until the
fore part of the last century was any attempt made by the whites
to settle there.
Of Father Rene Menard's visit there is an authentic record
left. Driven by the desire of imparting the Christian faith to
the Indians who were scattered throughout Northern Michigan
and Wisconsin, he joined at Three Rivers on the twenty-eighth of
August, 1660, a flotilla of Ottawas on their way to Lake Superior.
Of their voyage he virote:
"Our journey has been very fortunate, thanks be to God.
inasmuch as our Frenchmen all arrived in good health, about the
middle of October. But to accomplish that, we had to suffer much




and avoid great risks from the lakes, which were very stormy;
from the torrents and water falls fearful to behold, which we had to
cross in a frail shell; from hunger which was our almost constant companion, and from the Iroquois, who made war upon us.
"Between Three Rivers and Montreal, we luckily met Monseigneur, The Bishop of Petraeu. He uttered to me the following
words, which entered deep into my heart, and will be to me a
great source of consolation amid the vexations which shall befall
me: 'My father, every reason seems to retain you here; but God,
more powerful than aught else, requires you yonder.' Oh, how I
have blessed God since that fortunate interview, and how sweetly
those words from the lips of so holy a prelate have entered my
soul at the height of our hardships, sufferings and desolations'God requires me yonder.' How often have I repeated those words
to myself amid the noise of our torrents and in the solitude of
our great forests.
"The savages who had taken me on board with the assurance that they would assist me because of my age and infirmities,
did not however, spare me, but obliged me to carry very heavy
burdens on my shoulders at all or nearly all of the waterfalls
which we passed; and although my paddle did not greatly hasten
their progress, being plied by arms so feeble as mine, yet they
could not be satisfied that I should be idle. Accordingly, not knowing when I should find the time to say my Breviary, I was forced
to have resource whenever I could. I formed an advantage at the
meeting of other canoes, for then our savages stopped for some
time to smoke and talk. After all, they saw me with my books in
my hands oftener than they wished. They found means to take
them from my bag and throw them into the water. This was a
great affliction to me to see myself deprived of this precious chattel, until I hit another parcel in which, by good luck, I had put
a second Breviary in small volumes; thus they did not profit by
their impiety.
"They compelled me on one occasion, to disembark in a very
bad place where I had to pass over rocks and frightful precipices
in order to rejoin them. The places through which I had to go
were so cut up with abysses and steep mountains that I did not
think I could extricate myself from them, and as it was necessary
to hasten, if I did not wish myself to be left behind on the way, I
wounded myself in the arm and in one foot. The latter became
swollen and gave me much trouble all the rest of the journey,
especially when the water began to be cold, since it was necessary
to remain barefooted all the time so as to be ready to jump into
the water when the savages judged it fitting, in order to lighten
the canoe. Add to this, they are people having no regular meals;
they eat up everything at once, keeping nothing for the morrow.
"Our Frenchmen and myself have scarcely caught sight of
one another during the course of our journeys; so we have not
been able to give one another assistance. Perhaps God gave more
patience to them than to me; but I can say, nevertheless, that I
have never though day or night, of this Outoouah expedition except with a sweetness and neace of spirit and a feeling of God's
grace towards me, such as I would have difficulty in explaining to
you.
"We all fasted, and very vigorously, contenting ourselves
with some small fruits which were found rather seldom. But




matters became much worse when, arriving at last at Lake Superior, our canoe was shattered by a fall of a tree; nor could we
hope to repair it, so much was it damaged. We remained in this
condition for six days, without provisions and without canoe, living on some small offal which we were obliged, in order not to die
from hunger, to scrape up with our finger nails around a hut which
had been abandoned in this place some time ago, and we found
the bones to make soup of. All of us were always on watch at
the waterside, to implore pity of passersby, from whom we obtained some dried flesh which kept us from dying, until at last
some men came and took pity on us and took us aboard. We
landed on a large bay on the south side of Lake Superior. Arriving on Saint Theresa's Day, one of the Frenchmen named it 'St.
Theresa's Bay.' "
Father Menard landed on the east shore of the bay, where
he found some Indians encamped. The chief, called the "Pike,"
refused him and his com'panions hospitality, and even bade them
live away from his settlement. Not daunted by this inhuman
treatment, Father Menard retreated some miles into the thickest
woods towards the point, the present Pequaming, and prepared
to winter there.
While his companions provided for the necessaries of life,
Father Menard made excursions into the forbidden village in hope
of getting some poor soul for Christ and his church. The fruit
of his labor was scant indeed, so he decided to push his way to
other powerful tribes, who lived some two or three hundred
leagues away. Some HIurons who had come to traffic with the
Ottawas on Keweenaw Bay encouraged him in his purpose by
offering to act as guides. Taking Jean Guerin for his companion
he started out. He wrote his last letter from L'Anse Bay July
2, 1661. On the way the Indians abandoned him under pretext.
He tried to find the settlement with the helo of his companions.
In a canoe found accidentally in the bushes, he started down
Black River. At some rapids where portaging was necessary he
became separated from his guide and was never heard of again.
Whether he died forsaken and exhausted or a victim of the tomahawk, God only knows. Thus perished the first apostle of L'Anse
Bay.
Not until 1843 after one hundred eighty-two years came
another priest to L'Anse with the intention of establishing a Catholic mission. During this long period of time circumstances had
changed. The savage character of the Indian had been subdued
somewhat; he was a vanquished hero. willing to accept the terms
of his conqueror. The trading post had been established and was
the first approach to civili7atirn. Such a post was established by
the American Fur Company on the west shore near where the
Catholic mission stands. and was known after the first agent, as
Dube's place. Peter Crebassa. who succeeded Mr. Dube, moved
the agency in 1838 to the east shore, east of the Methodist mission.
A practical Catholic himself, he was asked by Indians if he could
not get a priest to come to stay with them. The only priest in
the closest neighborhood was Father Baraga at LaPoint, Wisconsin. He wrote to him several times, and Father Baraca finally consented to pay them a visit in the Sprine of 1845. He arrived on the twenty-fourth of May. During his stay of twenty




days he was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Crebassa who set aside a
chamber where he could say Mass. After necessary instructions,
twenty-two were baptized and many more promised to accept the
Catholic faith if he would come and stay with them,. It was a
great prospect for a riissionary. Father Baraga easily decided
for what was more precious in his sight than the comforts of a
well furnished mission. On the twenty-fourth of October of the
same year he returned to L'Anse in order to establish himself
there permanently. He again made his home at Crebassa's and
a chamber was given him for the exclusive use as a chapel. There
he read Mass, gave instruction, and baptized. On Christmas Day
(1843) he baptized thirty of his red neophites. The first baptism
conferred and recorded by Father Baraga is that of Louis Osagi,
six years of age, on the twenty-seventh of May 1843, and singularly
enough he was the first one Father Baraga buried two days after
the baptism.
The attendance at all exercises was so regular that Father
Baraga began to plan the building of a new church. He did not
like to build in the neighborhood of the Methodist mission in
order to avoid all sectarian feeling between the followers of the
two other missions. So he decided to build on the west shore almost directly opposite the MIethodist mission.
Father Baraga spent much of his leisure time in writing,
and being well versed in the Indian language, he wrote an Indian
grammar and dictionary, one of the first attempts to modernize
an Indian language.
The Catholic church at L'Anse was built in 1872. The
church lots were secured when L'Anse was booming and everything
was at a high point of excitement. Lots eight, nine, ten, and
eleven of Block twenty-one were purchased from Samuel L. Smith
for five hundred dollars, but not paid for until 1875. hence the deed
was not executed until May first of that year. Father Terhorst
built a frame church, eighteen feet by thirty and completed it in
the winter of 1872, dedicating it to St. Joseph. He came from the
Mission every Sunday to say Mass until the Fall of 1886, when
Rev. Antole O. Pelisson was appointed as first resident pastor.
Father Terhorst built a three-room house for his occasional
accommodations, and the additions and alterations serve yet as rectory. The first church which was burned was replaced by one
made of stone. It was erected by Father Joisten at a cost of
$10,500. Great sacrifices were made by the people and their pastors for this church. When completed it was still encumbered for
$6,000. Father Henn reduced this to a few hundred dollars.
The congregation at that time was only eighty-five families.
They were French, Irish, Indian, German and Polish. Pequaming
with its thirteen families was attached as a mission, the pastor
of the L'Anse church officiating there every other Sunday.
Half of the village cemetery has been set aside for the
burial of Catholics and was deeded on August 1, 1877 to the
rectory.
In 1912 the church was partly burned and when it was rebuilt it was enlarged considerably and improvements made. The
present pastor is Rev. George Dingfelder.
When John H. Fitezel came here in 1844 he writes:
"This mission is situated near the head of Keweenaw Bay
which is one of the finest in the world, on a sightly spot, about




.,l|..

N \NN\

11
1\

\\Bishop Frederick Baraga
forty rods back from the water. Near the house bursts forth
from the side of a hill, a living spring, an invaluable treasure anywhere. The cabins which had been built by order of John Clark
bore evident marks of age and decay. The mission house was of
hewed logs, about twenty-our feet by sixteen, and was covered
with cedar bark. It had a shanty attached to it, which some of
the missionaries used as a study. We had on one side of us near
by, the Government blacksmith, and on the other side, the carpenter, and off some distance in another direction was a farmer's




dwelling. These constituted our white neighbors. Across the
bay directly opposite, was the Catholic mission, three miles distant.
The missionaries kept a school for the Indians that they
might learn to read and write. In the day school there were from
thirty to forty pupils when the Indians were all at the mission.
The school was generally well attended but in the hunting and
sugar-making season, the children usually would accompany their
parents to the woods.
The Indians were not fond of confinement and have restless
and unsettled habits. They did not take to learning very quickly
and preferred like every one else, their mother tongue to any other.
There was also a Sabbath school; in this were men and
women as well as children. These people were taught to read
the hymn book and the Bible in Ojibwa (the language of this
Chippewa tribe), as well as in the English.
METHODIST MISSION
In 1834, John Sunday, a native preacher of the Westleyan
denomination, came to Kewawenon. The same year Rev. John
Clark visited Fort Brady, and subsequently made a stay at Kewawenon where he continued the mission work that was begun
there by John Sunday. To him is due the credit of erecting the
log mission house, schoolhouse, and many of the Indian houses
which lined the shore at Keweenaw Bay.
In 1837, D. M. Chandler, the first regularly appointed
Methodist preacher to the Sault and Kewawnon Miissions arrived.
In 1838, W. H. Brockway was appointed M[ethodist minister at Sault Ste. Marie, and in 1839 he became superintendent of
the missions.
The Indians named him Fewahbic, the "Iron Man." At this
time, the Methodist Indian mission at the Sault received annually
from the government the sum of two hundred fifty dollars for
school purposes and care of children for each of the missions at
Fond du Lac and Sardy Lac.
The log schoolhouse which had been used and rendered
tolerably comfortable by frenuent repairs was old and the members of the church were increasing. In 1848 they felt they needed
a new church. The few white people and some of the Indians
pledged to build one. They had a very hard time in getting out,
drawing on the ice, and boating the lumber from the saw mill at
L'Anse. Some of the timber was brought from the Pinery, three
miles distant, and before a blow was struck the little company
knelt down upon the snow and sent a prayer to God asking his
guidance and aid. This church was completed during the winter
of the same year. After this the mission prospered, the crops
were becoming larger, and the people were adding to the comforts of their homes. At this time there were forty-three members
in the church and none on trial.
By 1852 the mission had been very prosperous and during
this year several heathen Indians had been converted. The Indians continued to improve in civilization and were being elevated
far above what they once were, physically and intellectually, and
in their moral and social conditions. This year the church numbered fifty-three members.
Rev. John H. Pitezel, in his references gives an interesting
account of Father Baraga: "While at L'Anse, Bishop Lefevre of




Detroit, with Father Baraga, came and dined with us, and I was
glad afterward to return his friendly call at Detroit. Rev. Baraga was the resident priest at L'Anse at our arrival. He was
then probably fifty years, descending from a family of distinction
in Europe, well educated, speaking readily six or seven languages,
including German, French, English, and Ojebwa.
"He traveled extensively on foot and by all other methods
in use. Temperate in his habits, devout and dignified in his private and ministerial bearing, he was universally respected by the
Indians and the people of the mining community. He was affectionately loved by those of closer fellowship. At a more recent
date, in consideration of his sacrifices and meritorious services,
the Pope honored him with the miter of Bishop. Years since he
has passed beyond the vicissitudes of earth, transmitting his
name to the county where the missions named above are located."
The following letter was written by Father Baraga:
Rev. John Pitezel, and the whole community of
the Methodist Mission, L'Anse:
Dear Friends:
I have been requested by some of you to let
you have the bell, which is hanging in our steeple
here, as soon as another one, which is now at the
Sault, shall be brought to this place. But this
bell does not belong to me; it was lent to my
chapel by the deceased Mrs. Cotti, to whom it belonged.
As Mrs. Cotti is now no more, I requested
her afflicted husband to let you have the said bell,
in regard of the kind services which you bestowed
upon his lamented wife, in her last days, and he
cheerfully consented to give you the bell for the
use in your chapel as soon as mine shall be
brought from the Sault.
Respectfully your sincere friend,
Frederick Baraga.
L'Anse, April 7th, 1845.
Previous to the donation of the bell, the Methodists of the
mission were called to prayer and school by a large conch shell,
which could be heard at a great distance. After its presentation
to the mission, it was hung on two posts and remained in that position until the mission church was built.
The Methodist church was built in 1873, Reverend Van
Avery being the first pastor while David Curtis, a Methodist missionary, made many visits here. This church with many improvements is still standing. The present pastor is Reverend Rule who
also conducts services at the Zeba and Pequaming churches.
The Lutheran church is still young and has not been established long enough to have a building erected. The meetings are
held in certain buildings which have been secured for the occasion. Reverend A. G. Dahle now has charge of this church. He
also holds services at McKernan and Pequaming.
SCHOOLS
The first schoolhouse in L'Anse was built on the lake shore
in 1858. The next one was built on the hill near Joseph O'Connor's dwelling. It was a small building and in a few years was




removed to the present site of the Sentinel office. A family lived
in it a few years and then the structure was destroyed by fire.
L'Anse School District Number One in 1881 claimed two
hundred ninety children, of whom two hundred forty attended
school.  School District Number Two claimed one hundred ten
children of whom only thirty attended school.
On August 26, 1882, eight thousand dollars were appropriated to build a new schoolhouse. This building stood where the
high school now stands. The pupils going to school then, did not
have the conveniences that we now have. They had only two
teachers in the high school. The superintendent was also the
principal. The building soon became small, containing only five
small rooms, so it was decided to build a new one. The school
was moved a short distance to give room for the new high school.
The contract to excavate the basement was taken by the high
school boys who derived a great deal of pleasure out of their
work. It is now called the old schoolhouse and has been used as
a kindergarten for the last few years.
The L'Anse school of today was built in 1906. It has a sand
stone foundation and a brick superstructure. It is composed of
four grade rooms, a high school assembly, four recitation rooms,
and an office. The office is also used as a library. At present
there are nearly three hundred pupils attending school. Six high
school students from Pequaming and a number of grade students
from the Mason school are transported here by the b-us. There
are five grade teachers, and five high school teachers including the
superintendent and the principal. Mr. Mellencamp was the first
superintendent of this school. MVfr. Toothacker succeeded him and
now we have Superintendent A. E. Cross.     General and commercial courses are taught.




THE L'ANSE FIRE
An account of the L'Anse Fire, as taken from the L'Anse
Sentinel of May 16, 1896, reads:
"Saturday, was the most unfortunate day ever known in the
history of L'Anse, and the largest portion of what was once our
beautiful city, is now one mass of ruins.
"About four o'clock in the afternoon an alarm of fire was
sounded, and before people had time to realize what it was the
large sawmill of the L'Anse Lumber Company was one mass of
raging flames. Protection Hose Company quickly responded to the
call, and the boys worked like herces, but a strong wind was blowing and it was an utter impossibility for them to cope with such
a conflagration. It quickly took hold of the large railroad ore
dock, and proceeded to eat it up with lightning rapidity.
"Next in line was the large lumber piles containing several
million feet of lumber. It was then that the largest portion of
L'Anse was doomed, and the fear was soon realized, for in less
time than words can express it, the great mass of dry lumber
and shingles was entirely enveloped in flames. People then began
hurriedly removing books, etc., from the doomed buildings but
the flames advanced so rapidlly, that they were soon prevented
from saving much.
"J. B. Smith's large store and warehouses were next to
fall victims after the lumber piles, and were soon leveled to the
ground, as was also M.. Gitzen's saloon, the upper story of which




was occupied as a residence, Charles Cullnan's saloon and dwelling, 0. H. Sengebusch's barber shop, W. T. Menge's store and the
Menge block being occupied by two families, Charles Smith and
Peter Clyne, both families losing all their household furniture;
the bank building and the building on the corner owned by August
Menge, the upper story being occupied by R. R. McKernan as a
law office, and P. M. Coster's tailor shop.
"The fire jumped across Broad street, and licked up P.
Ruppe's large store building and contents, Frank Sengebusch's
building occupied by H. J. Seifert & Co., Samuel Boivin's two-story
building with saloon on the first floor and occupied as a dwelling
upstairs; the old Lloyd House, S. T. Haris's drug store, which
was completed but a few days before the fire, Samuel O'Connell's
saloon, N. Wallace's livery.
"As soon as it was discovered that the business blocks were
in danger, word was sent to Baraga, and her excellent hose company promptly responded, reaching here, a distance of over four
miles, in a remarkably short time. It can truthfully be said that
if we had not secured this help, the opposite side of Main street
and the dwelling houses for many blocks would also be laid in
ruins. Too much praise cannot be given to the brave firemen of
both L'Anse and Baraga who stayed by their posts during the
greater portion of the night, while the fire was still raging.
"During the fire those who could, endeavored to save a few
articles of clothing and other things, which were taken into vacant
lots, but what little was saved from fire was ruined in other ways.
"Saturday night the village presented a desolate appearance, being in total darkness, aside from the glare of the smoldering ruins. Yet many of the people walked the streets, or kept
guard over what articles were saved. Those who were fortunate
enough to have their home saved, gladly opened their doors and
provided shelter and food for the unfortunates.
"Sunday afternoon a meeting of the citizens of L'Anse and
Pequaming was held at the court house for the purpose of appointing committees for the relief of the fire sufferers.
"It is surprising and gratifying to announce the prompt
response to the call for aid from the various cities and towns.
Monday a carload of dry goods and provisions arrived from Marquette, and also substantial aid from Baraga and many other
towns, and arriving daily since the fire. Money had been raised
in the Conner Country, and over $800.00 from the citizens of Baraga, as well as many other cities and towns.
"Each member of the various committees worked hard and
faithful, and are entitled to the greatest praise. The D. S. S. &
A. railway cheerfully transported people and supplies to other
towns.
"The estimated loss by the fire was doubtless over $600,000,
and in many cases families lost all, having no insurance. The adjusters of the various insurance companies endeavored to give the
accurate loss of each, and amount of insurance.
"Several temporary buildings were erected, others going
up every day. Every business man owning lots rebuilt their homes.
"It is not known how the fire started."




L'ANSE AT PRESENT
L'Anse is the county seat of Baraga County. The county
officials have their offices in the courthouse. The sheriff's residence is connected with the jail.
The village is governed by a common council of eight members, namely, six trustees, a clerk, and a president. They control the finances and attend to all improvements of the village.
The other local officers are a marshal and four justices of the
peace.

Partial View of L'Anse
A farm is maintained by the county for the care of the
poor or aged people who are unable to work and have no support.
At present there are eleven stores in L'Anse, four of which
handle groceries and general merechandise: Paquette Brothers,
Johnston, Brennan, and Duguay. The Morrison Trading Company is a wholesale and retail flour and feed store. Ed. Sicotte
& Company and Cohl & Levitan are clothiers. There is a hardware store owned by L    Sanregret and the Superior Pharmacy
by F. J. Lyons. Deschaine and Sanregret are two confectioners.
Mr. Deschaine also owns the local telephone system, the central
office being in his store. Service is rendered from 7:30 in the
morning until about 11:00 at night. There are three barber shops,
namely, 0. Sengebusch, E. Cyr, and E. Myllymaa. Other bus



iness concerns are:  Menard & Sanregret's Livery, L'Anse Garage, and the Boyer and Selden blacksmith shops. Other stores
are the People's Meat Market, operated by M, O. Seavoy; Jacobsons' meat market, Anderson's jewelry store, Konola's tailor shop.
The lunch rooms are Kent's Restaurant, and the Grill and L'Anse
Cafes. Harold Nilsen operates a pool room. The hotels are four
in number, the largest being the Thomas Hotel. Mrs. Comee is the
proprietress.
The local institutions are the Baraga County National
Bank, which is a member of the Federal Reserve System; the
L'Anse Sentinel, a weekly newspaper; L'Anse High School, which
is on the University list of first class schools; and a newly erected
gymnasium.
The new gymnasium is to be used as a community center.
The _upper story_ contains a_ large dance hall.with a. stage_ and
balcony, also a reading room. The lower story contains rooms
for gym:nastics, shower baths, manual training, and domestic
science.
The opera house is used for shows, dances, and church
fairs. During the winter months the basketball games are played
there. With the completion of the new gymnasium those affairs
will take place there.
The churches are the Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopalian, and the Lutheran.
The Falls River is a stream of excellent water power.
There are numerous falls which are capable of turning a goodsized factory. One of these falls is used to operate the hydroelectric power plant which is situated about a mile up the stream
and is municipally owned. The power plant is of the standard
type producing 2,200 volts which is reduced by transformers to
110 volts for domestic use. Twenty-four hour service is furnished
except on Sunday.
Our water supply comes from, a dam about one-half mile
east of the village. At normal times this furnishes plenty of
water for the community, but sometimes water must be pumped
from the lake to the dam. From the dam, it is distributed to the
various houses. At each block of the town is a hydrant for fire
protection.
The township has a ten-ton caterpillar and a number of
road plows with which the roads are plowed in winter. The township also has an automobile truck and a steam roller. These are
used for repairing and keeping the roads in good condition in the
summer time.
L'Anse has a volunteer fire department. These men are
always ready and willing to put out a fire. No matter at what
time the alarm comes, they are always on the job. They are well
able to take care of any fire and have already proven their ability. The department has a large equipment to work with. It has
a fire engine, a number of hose carts, and the like. These are all
kept in the fire engine hall ready for instant use.
This locality has been selected as a health resort by some
of the well-known doctors in Chicago. The air is pure and free
from  all iniurious substances. A well-known medical man has
advocated this region as a cure for hay fever. In the summer
the heat is not so oppressive as in other localities because the
land is cooled off by the breezes from the lake. There are many




camping sites available as well as a vast expanse of woods for
those who wish to enjoy the solitude of the forest and the big
trees. The winters are not so pleasant as other seasons of the
year because a great deal of snow falls and the storms are frequent and severe, but for those who have a longing for winter
sports this is an ideal place to come to during that season.
We are proud to mention the fact that we have three first
class physicians and surgeons-Dr. F. F. Marshall, Dr. W. A. von
Zellen, and D(r. C. D. Hawkins; Dr. Marshall is our health officer.
Dr. Hawkins's residence is in Pequaming. We also have a good
dentist, Dr. E. A. Waara.
L'Anse is connected with the outside world by the Duluth
South Shore and Atltantic Railway, the depot being a quarter
of a mile from town. The post-office is of the third-class type.
The mails and passengers are given thirteen-hour service to Chicago and twenty-two hour service to Detroit. Bus lines run between L'Anse and Hancock during the summer months. For
travelers who come by train and wish to go to Pequaming or
Skanee an auto travels every day to these places. The township
roads are in good condition for touring by cars, and all points of
historical interest can be visited. A branch of the Standard Oil
Company is located here, supplying gasoline to all local dealers.
The garages have modern equipment for the repair of any automobile. The state trunk line, M15, through the county has been
completed and this assures the tourists of good roads.
L'Anse is an ideal place for hunters and fishermen. The
streams are clear and cold and the trout are hungry for the fishermen's bait. In the summer lake trout are taken with gill nets
in the lake and in the winter by fishing through the ice. October
is the season for partridge; many hunters also wait for the deer
season. Besides a deer and partridge season, there is a season of
four months for rabbits.
The spring is the time for making maple sugar and syrup.
While this is not done extensively in this locality, still a few do
it for the pleasure there is in it.
There are many opportunities for earning a living and
making a home in L'Anse. Some who have had only a small
capital have gone into the grocery business and have built up a
fine trade. Others by farming have earned a comfortable living
for themselves. Some rent houses or live in tents during the
summer. On the whole L'Anse is a good place for the average
working man, for during hard times, industries in other towns
were closed down while there was still plenty of work in L'Anse.




SPORTS AND AMUSEMENTS
Throughout all the seasons of the year L'Anse has many
amusements.
Summer brings a variety of these. The most important of
them are swimming, baseball, and picnicing.
Baseball takes a great stand during its season. This sport
arouses much enthusiasm among the people of the town. L'Anse

New School Gymnasium at L'Anse
always has a good team which excites the villagers in the midst
of a hot contest.
The old baseball field was sold for a hospital site and a
new field had to be made. Through the willingness of workers
it was soon completed. This new field is much larger than the
old one. It accommodates more spectators and at the same time
improves the town.
Although L'Anse has no bathing beach, many bathers gather around the shores to enjoy the healthful sport. The youngsters find this sport the best of all during their summer vacation.
Most of them go swimming three or four times a day. The Falls
River has many swimming holes and shady spots inducing this
sport.
There is hardly a place in the vicinity of L'Anse that has




not a beautiful spot for picnicers. Many people who own automobiles come from other towns to spend the Sundays here along the
picturesque bay.
L'Anse also has a fine Pastime Theatre to amuse the people.
This theatre accommodates two hundred forty spectators and
always has a good program of pictures. It is open four nights
every week.
The winter sports are basketball, hockey, skating, coasting,
and skiing.  The most important of these are basketball and
hockey.
The basketball games attract eager spectators to the L'Anse
Opera House. Here they witness them with yelling and shouting. Many exciting games are seen here. The high school and
village both have teams to bring on these games.
For a number of years L'Anse has had no skating rink. To
encourage this sport a large community rink was built. The
grand opening was held the week before Christmas, in the year
nineteen hundred twenty-one. To liven up the winter many hockey
games were played on this rink. They were witnessed by hundreds of spectators. Many of the best teams in the Copper Country played here. In the evenings skating was indulged in by the
general public. The rink was beautifully lit up and here the
merry skaters spent many happy hours.
On the hills coasting is enjoyed. Here the young folks
spend their evenings when not at the skating rink. Along with
this sport skiing takes its turn on the surrounding hills.




PEQUAMING
INTRODUCTION
Pequaming is situated seven miles north of L'Anse, on the
east side of Keweenaw Bay. It is a little sawmill town with a
population of five hundred. Charles Hebard & Sons, Inc., being
the sole prorietor. This company owns the mill, store, offices,
The Pequaming Sawmill
houses, and all the land. Some have called this town the lumberman's "Utopia" since no house rent in charged, water accommodations are free, and wood is cbtained from the mill for a very
small sum per load. There is perfect harmony between the employer and employees.
Pequaming point is six hundred feet above sea level and is
believed to have been an island hundreds of years ago. Many
tourists visit the historical points annually and are impressed
by many of the picturesque scenes.
FOUNDING OF PEQUAMING
In 1877 Charles Hebard, a banker and business man from
the east, came to Michigan to speculate on the northern pine lands.
He located at the place now known as Pequaming. The Hebard
and Thurber Lumber Company was organized in 1879, operating
upder the laws of Michigan, with a capital of $200,000. It was
organized as a stock company but most of the stock was held
in the hands of the two families. The mill site was leased from
David King, chief of the Chippewas, and after his death was sold
by his heirs to Mr. Hebard. The town site was purchased from
Mrs. Eliza Bennett in 1877.
A large steam sawmill and shingle mill were erected in
1878. The former was equipped with double circular and gang




saws; later a band mill was installed on the long side. The sawmill cut about twenty million feet of lumber annually.    The
shingle mill was equipped with two double blocks, a single block,
and a hand machine. It cut about twenty-five million shingles
annually. In the short space of four years the proprietors developed a magnificent business. By good taste and proper regard
for comfort and pleasure, a beautiful village was built about the
mills. The proprietors were in the prime of life and happy in
the possession of a flattering business. Their whole lives were
spent in this industry in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Telephone communication was obtained in 1878.
A public school of one hundred ten pupils, a Sunday school
of sixty members, and a church were established by Joseph Whitcomb, the Methodist minister in 1880. All meetings were held in
the schoolhouse. This building still stands and is now used as a
private dwelling.
In 1881 the Weston electric system was installed. A general store and postoffice were established with Mr. Holsey as manager of the store and Edward Hebard as postmaster.
Water works were installed throughout the town in 1885.
The water supply comes from Lake Superior. The pipes extend
far out into the lake and the water is pure and cool the year
around.
The present hotel was put up by the company in 1880 for
the purpose of giving board to the employees who did not live
in town. The first proprietor was Mr. Johnston from Houghton.
The town hall was built in 1887. Here all social gatherings,
dances, and entertainments are held.
The cemetery was built in 1896 by Mr. Lofquist and Mr.
Hedman. The steel fence which surrounds it was made by hand
in the local machine shop.
INDIAN    LEGENDS
Pequaming, the original home of the Chippewa tribes, was
their favorite camping place. The Indian name "Pequa quaming"
means a narrow neck of land almost surrounded by water. This
point is in the shape of a bear. The head is what is called Picnic
point, the tail, the lumber yard; the legs are the two sand beaches;
the back is the shore line.
About four or five hundred years ago, this point was under cultivation. There was only one tree and that a pine standing near the place where the mill is nowlocated. Under this tree
was the medicine man's wigwam. Traces of the old Indian cultivation can still be seen in some places.
Flat-Rock was the name of the old Indian chief, so named
from a large flat rock on the shore near Mr. Hebard's residence.
This rock is one hundred forty feet long. It was used as a dock
and watching station by the chief. Flat-Rock was also a medicine man and when in need of more medicine, he would sit on this
rock and mutter a prayer. A large fish would swim up to the
rock. This fish is suposed to have had two horns in which the
medicine was stored. The chief would cut off the tips of the horns
and take his supply; then the fish would dissappear into the water.
Pequaming was the scene of many fierce conflicts and wars
on account of its good position. Flat-Rock was never beaten. He




ruled for eighty years. For protection in these wars, the Indians
built the stone ridge from Mr. Iebard's residence to the mill on
the east side of the point.
An underground house was built about a quarter of a mile
back from the water, where the women and children gathered in
time of war or danger. In time of peace, the weapons were kept
there. This rude house was seen at the time of Mr. Hebard's
coming but is now invisible.
About three hundred years ago, a Catholic priest, the first
white man, came into these parts. A party of braves or warriors
when they returned, brought the priest with them. He was almost
starved and had to be fed on broth a whole day before he was
able to eat meat. The Indians brought him across the bay. He
soon after started the Catholic Mission. In the Spring he wished
to attend a meeting at Green Bay and three Indians were sent
with him as guides. They went as far as Michigamme by an old
trail and from there they followed the Menominee River in canoes.
At the falls the Indians told the priest to sit down while they
carried the luggage around the falls. When they returned he was
gone. It was impossible to trail him on account of the dry season. It is supposed he died of starvation in September, when the
berries and vegetation die.
In the Indian language there are no profane words. The
Indian was purer than the white man. He did not drink or swear
until the whites came and taught him these habits.
CAMP MEETING
When the early missionaries came to this region they established several missions and every year a meeting was called
at Pequa-quaming point, where all the Indians from around here
would gather for their sacred meetings. This was the origin of
the annual Indian Camp Meeting. The custom has prevailed to
the present time. The 1922 meeting will be held sometime in
August or September.
The first meetings were held on the site of the village.
After Mr. Hebard came, the place of gathering was changed to
another point, about a mile north, which is known as Picnic
Point, one of the most picturesque and beautiful spots in the Upper
Peninsula. In early times these meetings were held for a much
longer time (two or three weeks) than now and were considered
more sacred; the younger generations are gradually dropping the
custom. Usually for each day a speaker is obtained and from
them many new ideas are derived.
OPERATION AND TRANSPORTATION
The Charles Hebard and Sons, Incorporated, employ a force
of two hundred men in the mill and three hundred in the woods.
It has a stumpage of a hundred thousand acres of timber lands
located in Marquette, Baraga, Houghton. and Keweenaw counties.
In 1884 the partnership with Thurber was dissolved, Mr.
Hebard purchasing his partner's stock. The company now operated under the name of Charles Hebard and Sons, Incorporated,
under the laws of the state of New York.
For the transportation of their- logs, supplies and lumber
the company purchased two steamers, "Shrigly" and "Charles




Iebard"; two schooners, "Allowa" and "Annabel Wilson"; a sailing vessel, "Annie M,. Peterson"; two tugs, "J. C. Morse" and "D.
L. Hebard". Later they purchased another tug named "Allington". The old steamer "Alpena" was chartered to carry lumber.
The lumber boats each had a carrying capacity of a million feet.
Logging was carried on at Tobacco River, on Keweenaw
Point. Charles Heughens was one of the greatest loggers of the
time. He alone cut as much as ten million feet per year. This
work was carried on in winter, at camps which usually employed
a hundred men or more. The logs were decked on the banks of a
river or on a lake shore and in the spring were rolled into the
water, collected into rafts, and towed to the mill by the tugs. At
times the bay was literally filled with these large white-pine logs.
In later years the difficulty in rafting logs and the danger in towing them with tugs during bad weather were partially done away
with when railroads were built for the purpose of hauling them
to the mill.
The sawmill had been successfully operated for ten years
when it burned down, the cause of the fire still being unknown.
The fireman and watchman were not on duty. By the time the
alarm was given the fire had such a start that it could not be
checked; the men struggled hard to prevent it from, spreading into
the lumber yard. But from the ruins grew up a new mill,
equipped with more modern machinery and containing two band
mills. Within sixty days after the fire the new mill was cutting
lumber on a larger scale than ever. It turned out the best lumber from the Michigan pineries. The giant pines averaged about
four feet in diameter and scaled about sixteen hundred feet per
log. This lumber had a very ready market in the east. At the
World's Exposition in Chicago, two planks, forty-two inches, wide,
three inches thick, and twenty feet long were exhibited, winning
first prize. These planks today would have a value of thirty dollars each.
This abundance of pine did not last very long for the supply was almost exhausted in 1905. At this time there was a very
poor market for hemlock and hardwood and the company faced
hard times. After a while a market gradually opened for these.
The old shinele mill remained idle for a year after the pine was
exhausted. Then cedar was used. In 1908 this mill was dismantled
and the machinery installed into a new one.
COMMUNICATIONS
The L'Anse-Pequaming road was constructed by the township and a poll tax was collected annually for its maintenance.
At first the road was narrow and muddy. A wagon could scarcely
pass between the trees. Now since the road has been surfaced
with rock and stampsand, it is one of the best nighways in the
county.
In early years before the road was repaired, a steam yacht
"Allington" carried on daily communication with L'Anse. Captain Frank Wild was the proprietor.
A freight company from Duluth carried freight and foodstuffs to all towns situated in Keweenaw Bay and the Lake Superior region. The. steamer "Peerless" came in twice per month with
flour and groceries.
Very few people had newspapers in town at this early date,




due to the fact that they were mostly foreigners and could not
read English. All ships coming in brought news as well as people
to visit the town.
Now automobiles are used and a daily stage and livery is
operated by Mr. Robinson, between Pequaming and L'Ansce.
HOMESTEADERS AND SQUATTERS
In 1890 the state opened up land for the homesteaders on
Point Abbey for the purpose of encouraging settlers into this
region. Many foreigners, mostly Scandinavians, established their
homes in this way. Among the oldest are Messrs. Soli, Lofquist,
and Robinson.
Mr. Robinson was also a squatter, and said to be the first
settler on the point.  He laid claim to the whole point by squatters' rights, but in some unknown way his claims were not recognized by the state. He came to these parts in 1860, during the
Civil WVar. He gained a living for himself and his family by hunting, fishing, and trapping.
LATER DEVELOPMENTS
A new school was built in 1904. The new principal was Mr.
Van Landegan.
The Union church was built and dedicated in 1905. Rev.
Aldrich was pastor. This is a small but very beautiful church.
In 1906, the new company store was built, with Mr. Tracy as
manager.
A bowling alley, gymnasium, and library were built by the
company for the entertainment of the young people. Mr. Nelsen
was appointed director. He was a young and well trained athlete.
Partly through the lack of leadership and enthusiasm of the
townspeople, it was closed for two years. Later it was opened up
as an ice cream parlor.
A new postoffice was built by the government in 1916. Before this it was located in the store. Mrs. Proctor was now appointed postmistress.
In 1906, the company hired Dr. Anderson as town doctor.
This was the first resident doctor here. Before this, Dr. von Zellen from L'Anse took care of the practice.
We now have Dr. C. D. Hawkins, a good physician whose
residence is in Pequaming.
A Finnish athletic club was organized by Armose Thure in
1912. This club had the championship of the Upper Peninsula for
three successive years. Its individual members won many prizes
and medals.
In 1920, the large machine shop burned to the ground and
a new one was built in its place. This shop is so fitted that it can
do all kinds of repair work. Mr. Lofquist for many years was
head of the repair department.
OLD SETTLERS
William Haviland was one of the most noted men in the
early days of Pequaming.   He served as Major in the Civil War
with the Union forces. Mr. Haviland became connected with the
Hebards in the east and came here in 1887 as prosecuting attorney
of Baraga County for several years. When deaths occurred and
no minister could be obtained, he officiated. In speculating in west



ern lands he was successful. He moved to Oregon with his family
in 1890, and died there in 1907.
Benjamin Brink came to Pequaming as filer in the mill.
Later he was promoted to the superintendency. He retained this
position until his death in 1914. Mr. Brink was greatly admired
by all the workmen as he was equally just to all.
Among the oldest settlers living today are Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Hedman, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew
Latondress, Theodore Soli, Carl Anderson, Sr., Paul Almli, Matt
Kalio, August Koppana, James Nipert, Mrs Davis, Matt Saari,
Mrs. Culver, Mrs. Thoresen, and Mrs. Gail.
PEQUAMING IN THE WAR
During the World War, Pequaming played a very active
part. It furnished about thirty boys for the Army and Navy. In
the Liberty and Victory Loans Peguaming always oversubscribed
its quota by thousands of dollars. It bought more bonds for its size
than any other town in Baraga County.
The local Red Cross Chapter did good work during the war.
Miss Harsden was at the head and proved herself very energetic
in this line of work. They gave complete kits to the home boys
before they left for the training camps, and turned in large
amounts of money and supplies to headquarters for distribution
and use.




OUTLYING DISTRICTS
AURA
Aura is a new farming settlement four miles east of Pequaming and twelve northeast of L'Anse, its nearest railway town.
It is situated on the southern shore of Keweenaw Bay and embraces a territory of about fifteen square miles. A part of this
region is in Arvon township. The soil is a rich clay loam, especially suitable for the production of potatoes, hay, wheat, oats, and
other grains. Because of the long distance to a railroad, shipping
is difficult. As yet the farmers have not produced anything for
the market, so there has been no need of discussing that question
seriously, but when the time does come, the easiest ways to haul
produce to market would be with trucks to L'Anse or with a gasoline yacht across the bay to the Copper Country.
When Charles Hebard came to Pequaming in 1878, he started lumbering on Point Abbey. The first camp was built on the
point, two miles from Pequaming. To the present time there have
been sixteen of them of which three are in operation.
In 1914 Hebard put these lands on sale at three hundred
dollars a forty. Many people in the Copper Country were hard
up because of the recent strike and decided to try farming for a
change. By giving a small sum in cash, they could lay claim to
the piece of land they liked and settle. The first seven families
came in 1914. Now there are thirty-seven farmers.
As before mentioned, farming is not carried on there on a
large scale. Most farmers have forty or eighty acres and a few
own one hundred twenty. During the first years many of them
tilled the soil with rude hand implements. It is true that life was
not always very pleasant then for they had to endure many hardships. But Aura is altogether different now from what it was
eight years ago.
The question of threshing grain was for years a serious
problem. Finally a small company was organized in 1919 which
purchased a thresher and a tractor. The organization of a cooperative association was also attempted, but because of insufficient capital and the half-heartedness of many, it failed.
The people are very badly in need of a store, for getting
food from Pequaming is very difficult and troublesome.
For seven years the people had to use old railroad beds for
roads or such as they themselves had built. Finally in the summer of 1921 the township expended a couple thousand dollars
on the building of roads there.
The new schoolhouse was built in 1917, up to which time
the children attended school at an old lumber camp which had
been altered and repaired. Forty-eight children attend school
there now. The building is used for all farmers' meetings, parties,
and church meetings.
An acre of land was set off for a cemetery in the summer
of 1921.
The postoffice was established in January 1922, but the car



rying of mail was not begun until March of the same year.
Though a farming country, it is not without its amusements,
especially in the summer time, when swimming is the best sport.
Second Sand Beach is one of Nature's most beautiful and coziest
nests in summer. In August when the blueberries are ripe, the
people often go there with boats on Sundays, pick berries, swim,
and enjoy themselves in a general way.
SUMMIT AND HERMAN
These are two farming districts about two miles apart and
connected with the greater outer world by the Duluth, South
Shore and Atlantic Railway. The entire distance from L'Anse to
Summit is up-hill, and there, one is on the highest place in L'Anse
township, hence its name. The scenery at both places is very picturesque and is rendered more beautiful by the rugged hills that
rise on every hand. The soil is a rich, fertile loam, but the almost
bluff-like hills make farming difficult.
Much is not known of the early history of Summit. Some
time between 1880 and 1890, lumber camps were built there and
much of the timber was cut away.
It was while working at one of these camps in 1900 that
Herman Keranen, the first settler in Herman, conceived the idea
of starting in the lumbering business himself. He bought several
forties of land, built a rude log cabin, and settled down to work
with a few of his companions. At that time forty acres of land,
including the right to the timber, cost only two hundred dollars.
He utilized every bit of the wood by cutting the best grades into
logs and those of inferior quality into poles or cordwood. These
were shipped to the Copper Country or Michigamme. For the
first years farming was greatly neglected as it would have been
impossible with the forest still there. Moreover, it was more
profitable to lumber than farm. With the money derived from
this lumbering enterprise Mr. Keranen laid the foundation of the
biggest and most productive farm in Herman. The place was
named after him,.
Others followed Mr. Keranen and after clearing away the
greenwood settled to farming. But comfort does not attend one
into the wilderness and undoubtedly they all suffered hardships
the first few years. As the population increased a school and
postoffice were needed. The school which still stands was built
in 1903 and fifteen children attended it. The postoffice was establishd in 1904.
The Herman Athletic Association was organized in 1912
and the hall which is used for its meetings and dances was built
a few months later. All farmers' meetings are held at the school.
John T. Keranen was appointed secretary-treasurer of that
district for the Farmers' Loan Association in June 1917. It has
been beneficial to several.
A Farmers' Co-operative Association was organized in 1919,
which has built a store and bought a tractor. Messrs. Bronson
and Oakley were the first ones to build a store there, while later
Mr. Keranen and Charles Dantes also engaged in the mercantile
business. After the co-operative store was founded Keranen gave
up the business.
The present population of Herman amounts to about two




hundred fifty. Each farmer owns about forty cr eighty acres.
Mr. Keranen owns the only thresher and does the threshing for
everyone.
The school children number about sixty.
Summit has not as many inhabitants as Herman. It has
only six families with fifteen children of school age. A new
schoolhouse was built recently. The section house is still situated there.
It may be said that both Summit and Herman are yet in
their infancy being such newly settled regions, and though they
may never boom, they do promise a comfortable living for their
inhabitants.
ZEBA
This small settlement which lies halfway between L'Anse
and Pequaming is situated on the southern shore of Keweenaw
The L'Anse Indian Band
Bay, within six miles of Pequaming Point. It was named Zeba
(meaning river) after a little stream which runs southeast of it.
The history of Zeba is very closely connected with that of
L'Anse, for the same missionaries, or their assistants, established
churches here, and the same men traded with the Indians. It is
here that the American Fur Trading Company was located and
this became a shipping point for furs, hides, and sandstone. Remains of the old sandstone pit can still be seen, where the Indians
used to bury their chiefs. Their bodies were later removed to the
cemetery.
One of the oldest settlers is Peter Marksman, Sr. With
some companions he acted as an agent for the fur trading posts.
The government supplied them with food, clothing, traps, and
all necessary supplies.  Living so far from  civilization, they
sought diversion by making an annual trip by canoes to the camp




meetings at the Soo. After the railroad was built in 1874 they
found the trains more convenient. During the rest of the year
(for it often took them two months for the trip) they made their
living by hunting and fishing. The same trading post where he
was employed later became the home of Peter Hall and finally
the property of his heirs until the year 1920, when it was destroyed by fire.
Two other leading pioneers were William Bass and Benjamin George. The former made his home in Zeba until 1879 and
engaged in farming. He owned quite a large farm and many cattle, but as there were few farms in those days, there often was
a scarcity of stock food. He hauled his hay with oxen from a
meadow which was later known as "Bass's Meadow."
Benjamin George came here in 1889 and was a hunter, fisher, and trapper. He finally met his death by trapping. The story
of his death is much like a hero tale among the residents of Zeba.
One night as he lay in his hunting camp watching his bread in
the oven, by the open fire, he noticed that his camp had caught on
fire. As there was only one door, and this already was aflame, he
was compelled to push out the side of his hut in order to save himself. Because of a short delay in doing this, he was overtaken by
the fire and severely burned. Suffering intensely from lack of food
and burns, he crawled on his hands and knees until he reached
Sam White's farm, seven miles away, where he was found on the
following day and taken home. He lingered between life and
death for many days and then passed quietly away.
Zeba now is the capital of the Indian reservation which is
located near L'Anse. The people lead very simple lives, and the
place has the appearance of any similar country settlement. There
are two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and the Seventh Day
Adventist. The former is situated on the site of the old mission
and has a much larger congregation than the latter.
The postoffice is in the same buildine as William Tollefson's
store. There is also another store called the Zeba Cash Store.
Both deal in groceries and general merchandise.
The schoolhouse was built in 1912 and has an enrollment of
thirty-five children. The grades taught range from the first to
the seventh, one teacher having supervision.
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