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Effort to Restore Alberta Mill Continues

The effort continues to preserve the historic Ford sawmill at Alberta in Baraga County.

The mill, the surrounding town, and forest acreage were donated to Michigan Tech after Ford shut down operations in 1954. Tech offered tours of the mill for many years, but discontinued them as the building fell into disrepair.

The university recently indicated that it did not have resources to restore the sawmill, and hinted that it might be torn down.

In response, the Baraga County Historical Society established a subcommittee to investigate ways to save the structure. Subcommittee member Judy Bozicevich said an initial meeting drew a significant response…

We had 140 people there, so there is interest in keeping that.

Bozicevich says Tech has been a willing partner in the effort…

Their students can help us out with videos, and, when we need a grant writer, we know we can go there and they want to make sure they are there and helping us every step of the way.

If you’d like to peek inside, the group will be offering tours tomorrow between 1:00 and 3:00. You can see the machinery, and learn how you might help in the preservation effort.

The Alberta mill and the company town around it were built by Ford in 1936. Ford also operated sawmills in L’Anse and Pequaming, to provide lumber for automobile construction.

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