Iron Mountain Research Paper

Like any formal writing, the beginning is equally important as the end. In order to appreciate the present, the past needs to be understood. Knowing the journey of where I grew up from the beginning to present day is amazing. It’s hard to believe there was a time in my hometown, Iron Mountain, Michigan, where electricity didn’t exist nor did the everyday tools we now take for granted. I often wonder what the city looked like to my grandparents and their family before them.
Iron Mountain was founded in 1878 by John Friedricks. He and his crew discovered Millie Mine, located near the bluff named Iron Mountain; therefore, the village created by the miners was named Iron Mountain. The next mine discovered was the old Ludington Mine in 1878. Iron
Frank Ayers sold furnishings in his building located on the corner of Stephenson Avenue and Ludington Street. Shortly after, he started a restaurant and expanded his sales in his building. According to ("History of Iron Mountain…” top of four), “Charles E. Parent, Sr., should have the credit of having been the first general merchant in the town.” He established a building on Stephenson Avenue which sold all of the general merchandise of that time. R. Philbrook built a general merchandise store and was the first postmaster. The Boyington family came to Iron Mountain at the beginning of 1880, bringing the first white woman to Iron Mountain. Shortly after, the Hayes family arrived. They had the first birth in the town: William P. Hayes on July 27,
According to ("History of Iron Mountain…” page 10 also for sentence before) after this incident, “the council proposed and passed an ordinance establishing a fire limit and a building ordinance.” Also during this time, the cleanliness of the town wasn't under consideration; therefore, a typhoid epidemic broke out. Citizens wanted improvements on the sanitation and the water works. Thus, an ordinance was passed banning roaming pigs through the streets of Iron Mountain. Also, a contract was bought from the Water Works Company to pump water to the city. However, they failed to keep clean water dispersed, so typhoid was still a problem. Along with the improvements to the city, more business were built and improved. The mines were still being used to their full advantage, so another railroad was built in 1891 for one million dollars. Hamilton & Merryman Company extended Carpenter Avenue twenty acres towards the river. Hamlin and Fordyce bought land and boomed the north side of Iron Mountain. They were set out to build a hundred and fifty houses and a