[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 92 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE TOWN OF MICHIGAMME, MI, CELEBRATES ITS 125TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the attention of the U.S. House 
of Representatives and the American public the 125th birthday of a 
proud historic town in the First Congressional District of Michigan, 
the town of Michigamme. This town, with a population of just over 300 
residents, may be considered small by conventional standards, but it 
holds a big place in the history of the central Upper Peninsula of 
Michigan and in the hearts of the people who have known it.
  Michigamme was founded in 1872 by Jacob Houghton, the brother of the 
famous Dr. Douglas Houghton, after he discovered iron ore deposits 
there. Mr. Houghton became the owner and operator of both the iron ore 
mine and the sawmill of Michigamme. Iron ore mining and timber industry 
jobs brought hundreds to Michigamme, but the economic panic of 1873 and 
a forest fire soon reduced the number of available jobs. Michigamme 
exhibited its resilience as a community by reopening the sawmill and 
resuming mining. The town bounced back and the population swelled to 
1,800 by 1882, a record that has stood intact since that time. In 1881, 
F.W. Read bought the Michigamme sawmill, and the mines of the area were 
purchased by the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., and the Ford Motor Co. near 
the turn of the century. Through the early 20th century, Michigamme's 
rich veins of iron ore and statuesque first-growth timber provided the 
town with solid industrial economic base.
  Michigamme's industrial base was not the only reason that people 
settled there. Michigamme's location on the shores of beautiful Lake 
Michigamme have also contributed to its growth and history. The 
residents of Michigamme have added to the beauty of the town by 
encouraging a community for the arts and crafts, with several operating 
gift shops and an annual Christmas Market, widely attended by the 
surrounding communities. Michigamme has been called the Renaissance 
Village, because of the artistic community it fosters. The residents of 
Michigamme know that this is a special place that they can call home.
  Mr. Speaker, the residents of Michigamme exemplify the small-town 
character and spirit which we hear our colleagues speak about with 
nostalgia in today's fast-paced and impersonal culture. The people of 
Michigamme, MI, are proud of where they came from and of who they are. 
They are the type of people who honor their history and look forward to 
creating a future for their town. They are the type of people who know 
their neighbor and who call him or her a friend. I would like to extend 
my congratulations to the people of Michigamme on the 125th birthday of 
their town, and I am here today to ask my colleagues to join me in 
wishing them the best for many years to come.

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