Company started in Marquette in 1858.
Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
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CASPIAN --
A longtime business in the U.P. is being honored for their innovation in the world of industry. An open house was held at the Iron County Museum in Caspian Sunday to highlight the works of the Oldenburg Group. It was formed back in 1858 by Charles T. Harvey as the Lake Superior Foundry Company in Marquette.
It changed names and locations through the years, but it has continued to make new and lasting contributions to industry.
"It is so special because they've been ingenious and so creative,” said Museum Director Marcia Bernhardt. “Not only have they developed things for the iron ore industry, but for example in the 1890s, they manufactured the first outboard (boat) motor."
But besides being a leader in the production of mining and defense equipment, the business, which has locations in Iron River and Kingsford, has provided jobs for U.P. residents over the years. Chalmers McGreaham worked as engineer for the company in the early 1960s.
"The system I worked on was called the fast system, which was used to transfer rocketry from one boat to another out in the open water in the ocean," said McGreaham.
The exhibit will run for two more weeks. Admission is $7 for adults and $2.50 for children.
