I too was bummed when the consolidation took effect. However, I don’t feel that I lost my identity as a resident of Stambaugh.

Stambaugh (it will always be Stambaugh to me!) still is a close knit community. The same people live on my street and the town itself, albeit somewhat empty, still exists too. Washington Avenue is still there although the names of the adjoining streets have been changed (1st Street is now Amber Street, 2nd is now Blossom ect.)

I was never a “Hilltopper” or a “Redskin” so I can see why many feel the loss of their identity. The schools were consolidated when I started kindergarten back in the early 70s. I identify “Wykon” with the entire west side of Iron County.

Some of my neighbors are retired and have recently moved here. Some have never went to school here and have no ties whatsoever to the area. They love it here for the most part although I’ve heard complaints about the weather from them more than once.

Some of them never heard of Stambaugh. I’m always happy to give them the history of the area and inform them that Stambaugh was indeed a town at one time. They appreciate this little history lesson and have incredible respect for our knowledge. I tell them about the museum in Caspian where they can find out more. I’ve gotten many “thank yous” and “such a great experience” from these folks.

It was great growing up here. I have so many great memories of riding my bicycle around town, attending the various festivities during the Centennial celebration, going to Wykon football and basketball games (which I still do with my young sons) and generally growing up in a small town.

I still get nostalgic, and yes, a little weepy whenever I think of times past. Iron River and Stambaugh were “shakin’ places” at one time. I remember riding my bike through town on a warm summer night and there would be people and things to do everywhere. Everybody that I wanted to see would be hanging around town either shopping at the various shops that stayed open late on Friday nights or just cruising around (or “lapping the gap” as we called it)

It’s a great area. I know that I could be making a heck of a lot more money working somewhere else but I’ll probably never move.

I still have hope for this area. The stores may be closed and the streets may be empty on the weekends but I know we’ll be discovered again.

Kevin

I remember the Schinella Store in Gaastra, I think maybe Bob Lundquist worked there delivering groceries to people’s homes? I had to laugh about your memory of getting bored bringing in carts and then charging candy for all your friends! We had a great growing up time and place, didn’t we! And wasn’t the Centennial fun! Your float driven by your neighbor on a riding lawn mower is just precious!
Thanks for sharing!
Coralie

My Mother was Betty Peterson (Schinella) and my Father Ralph Schinella. Mom was from Mineral Hills and graduated from Iron River High School ( class of 50). Dad, a Gaastra Resident, graduated from Stambaugh (Class of 48). We lived in Gaastra for 3 years and my brothers and I went to St. Agnes from 63 to 65 ! Later Dad’s job moved us to New York and then to Indiana. We spent every summer with Grandparents in Mineral Hills and Gaastra. Rode our bikes as teenagers from one Grandparent to the other. Long rides. I remember and have pictures of the Centennial in Mineral Hills. Pictures when we participated in a parade. I remember the excitement (fear) of “going down Stambaugh Hill.” My brother was a clown on a bike ! My 2 brothers and I were Indians an a T-Pee Float that we desinged and made. It was driven by our neighbor and his riding lawn mower ! My Grandparent owned the little hometown Grocery Store in Gaastra. Fun times ! I got to work there and whenever I got bored bringing in Carts and Stamping prices on cans, I “charged” candy for everybody! My Mom and Dad moved back to Iron River in 2003 and my Dad 79 years old remains active in Iron River…lives on Strawberry Hill!

My Mother sadly passed suddenly this June 1, 2007. She loved her childhood… and teenage years. That is why she went back. She was a very strong-minded smart woman and lived a very fullfilled life. She said she did and got everything out of life she could have ever wanted. My Mom and her cousin Ruthie sat together throughout the years and told many stories about there childhood and high school years. It amazed me that the stories were always new and different. I was happy to come across this in her email. Thank you I will surely read the Books.