Some of the most enjoyable conversations take place through open driver side windows on a country road. These encounters are the antithesis of what you see in YouTube videos of traffic stops. The other night my neighbor and I exchanged greetings, gossip, and grumbles. Weather, bugs, and area news. A most pleasant interlude.
One of the topics was the effort by the combined forces of Ely Heritage Preservation Commission, Ely Area Tourism Bureau, Ely Chamber of Commerce, Ely-Winton Historical Society, and the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation to promote Ely as a cool place to visit. That’s “cool” in the Boomer Slang sense, not in the meteorological sense.
Their fine brochure, Tour Ely, emphasizes Ely’s history of mining, logging, and tourism. The cover shows the historic cylindrical water tower with the bold “ELY”that announced to eastbound travelers that they were about to enter this interesting town. One side has a dandy map of Ely from the shore of Shagawa Lake to Beacon Hill Road, and from the North American Bear Center to County 88 Grant Mc-Mahon Boulevard. Marked are about 70 points of interest.
Number one is the Community Center. Those of us who grew up here may get a wistful wash knowing that this building hosted so many joyful events -- wedding receptions and pancake breakfasts in the cafeteria, library visits and sneaking peeks at the old guys playing cards in the south end meeting rooms, dances to the Electras and BopCats in the auditorium. Out of town visitors will not feel those pangs, but can enjoy the historic architecture and bas-relief carvings on the buildings faces where the city band once played outdoor summer concerts. There are plans to restore the building and convert it into a hospitality spot. We oldtimers hope so.
Number two is Ely’s Historic State Theater. This old timer remember seeing The Wizard of Oz there in about 1955. Actually I saw only part of it -- the part up to where the Flying Monkeys chased me out onto Sheridan Street.
Number four is the Pioneer Mine Site where a group of dedicated volunteers entertain and educate visitors about that mine’s history. Readers of the E-version of the Echo may wish to follow this link for a music video honoring the workers of that and other Ely underground iron mines --> https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-PbE4ZAc-Cwo&t=107s&pp=ygUaZWx-5IG1pbmVycyBtZW1vcmlhbCBzdGFpbnM% 3D If you’re reading the hard copy, you could search Google for “Ely Miners Memorial.”
At number 35 is a photo of the Ely Train Station through which hundreds of immigrants entered Ely in the early 1900s. Less known is the delivery of cases and cases of California grapes which were unloaded, hauled to scores of basements in town and converted into homemade wine. Most of the amateur vintners dutifully paid the federal alcohol tax on every bottle. Right.
And over there beyond the second fold is Number 51, (no not Area 51, that’s in Nevada or somewhere) The Longbranch was, well, possibly the most fun gathering spot in the area. Parties, dances, banquets. And one poignant celebration of life. I hear it, too, will be restored and converted into something fun again. Here’s hoping.
If you’re a visitor and have stumbled upon this nostalgic column, pick up a copy of this brochure and see what Ely is and was. If you’re an oldtimer like me, admire the work these groups are doing to preserve the old times and places while promoting Ely as a cool place to visit.
Doug Luthanen grew up in Ely and graduated from Memorial High School in 1967. He wrote a weekly viewpoint column for the Northwest Arkansas Times for four years and is an occasional contributor to The Ely Echo.
