Bouquet: An ugly incident occurred in Iron Mountain on Aug. 25, 1924. At about 10:30 p.m., the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan burned a 15-foot-high cross on the top of Millie Hill, in full view of the twin cities below. It was reported that the Klan members were in full regalia at the event. It was also reported that 150 men joined the Klan that night, bringing the number of Klan members in the area to 800.

A local group called Christians for Racial Understanding, or CRU, is planning “A Day of Remembrance and Healing” on the 100th anniversary of the incident. Two events are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

First, there will be a talk from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. at the main Dickinson County Library, 401 Iron Mountain St. in Iron Mountain. Noted regional historian William Cummings will give a presentation on “Iron Mountain and the Ku Klux Klan.” He will not only describe what happened that night, but also what led up to the incident and the aftermath of the Klan in the area. Mr. Cummings will also give some historical background on the KKK in America. The public is cordially invited to attend this free event.

In a separate but related event, CRU will host a “Service of Community Healing” from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 25. It will be held outdoors next to the parking lot at the Millie Hill Bat Viewing site. The site is on Millie Hill Bat Cave Road just off Park Avenue in Iron Mountain, about 0.2 miles north of the intersection of East A Street and Park Avenue. Again, the public is warmly invited to attend.

The service will include readings and prayers that focus on lament, thanksgiving and commitment: Lament for what was done in 1924 and the legacy of racism it left behind; thanksgiving for those who stood up against racial hatred in 1924 and have done so in the one hundred years since; commitment to be a community that welcomes people of all races, nationalities, and creeds. Statements by the City Councils of both Iron Mountain and Kingsford will be read at the service.

Ed Laarman, coordinator of CRU, notes that, “Our human tendency is to deny, ignore or minimize disgraceful things that we or our forebears have done. But faith and experience tell us that such an approach does not bring healing and reconciliation. Our goal with the Day of Remembrance and Healing is to get this old skeleton out of our community closet and give it a proper burial. That will help us move on to a better future of racial harmony.”

For more information about the two planned events or about Christians for Racial Understanding, contact CRU at northwoodscru@yahoo.com, or see their Facebook page at CRU:Christiansforracialunderstanding.