IRON MOUNTAIN — A plaque will be installed on Millie Hill in Iron Mountain to summarize a painful chapter in the region’s history — a Ku Klux Klan cross burning that took place at the site in 1924.

The plaque, funded by Christians for Racial Understanding: Community for All, follows up on a healing service that took place last summer near the 100th anniversary of the event. A “Tree of Hope for Racial Harmony” was planted then.

As approved by the city council, the plaque will be at the top of Millie Hill, on or near an observation platform that overlooks the city. CRU:CA members Edward Laarman of Niagara, Wis., coordinator, and Virginia Feleppa of Iron Mountain attended Monday’s council meeting to gain permission.

“The plaque will include a QR code that will take people to the Dickinson County Library and historian Bill Cummings’ longer summary and his PowerPoint program that he offered at the library last August,” Laarman said. The library has agreed to manage the QR code, he added.

The plaque will state:

“On the night of Saturday, Aug. 23, 1924, the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan burned a 15-foot tall cross near this site on Millie Hill. The burning followed a ceremony at which it was claimed that 150 candidates were initiated into the Klan.

“It was noted in The Iron Mountain News on August 25 that ‘while the burning of the cross was visible from many sections of the downtown district, those who ventured to the top of the hill saw no white robed figures. It was declared that after the initiation sufficient time was allowed for the Klansmen to take off their robes and disperse before the torch was applied to the cross. It was ‘thought that the burning of the cross was intended to add impetus the growth of the organization here.’ In later months, two additional crosses were burned in the city.

“KKK activity in the area was fueled by a colonization scheme of William J. Smith, a Black realtor from Chicago. In the fall of 1923, he began advertising in predominantly Black newspapers across the country. Smith offered lots in “Wisconsin Heights,” a large tract of land just across the Menominee River from the Ford Motor Company plant. He claimed that Ford would employ Black labor exclusively in the new chemical plant which was being built. Smith failed to make payment on the land, but continued to sell lots.

“When word of the scheme got out, local opposition quickly mounted. Edward G. Kingsford, Ford Plant general manager, stated that there were no plans to hire ‘negro help’ at Iron Mountain. The scam fell apart, but the KKK apparently fed on the racial fears of many white residents.

“On August 25, 2024, the local group Christians for Racial Understanding sponsored ‘A Day of Remembrance and Healing.’ The Iron Mountain City Council offered a resolution that states, ‘In recognition of this regretful time in the history of our community the City of Iron Mountain hereby proclaims that it remains committed to diversity and to fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness that respects the dignity and worth of every person without regard to race, color, ancestry, or national origin.’

“For more information about the events of 1924, click the QR code.

“Placed in 2025 by Christians for Racial Understanding: Community for All.”