Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Antonia Burich discusses the placing of a plaque at Daniell Park to inform park visitors who Joshua Daniell was.

LAURIUM — Antonia Burich spoke to the Village Council Tuesday on the possibility of a plaque being placed at Daniell Park, honoring the man who donated the land to the village on which the park is located.

The reason for this is because, the Daniell family was deeply involved in the history of the village, she said. Among generous donations to the village, Joshua Daniell donated three lots of land, which ultimately became Daniell Park in 1937.

Daniell also donated thousands of dollars to the public hospital, as well as to the schools.

“As you are aware, this is not just a sign,” said Burich, “it is also to find out who Daniell was in order to have information for a more elaborate, historic sign.”

Burich said she has been looking into just who Daniell was, along with personnel from the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Collections, located in the basement of the MTU Library.

She told the council that while conducting her study, she discovered that the village of Laurium is on the National Register of Historic Places in Houghton County. This, she said, opens huge possibilities for the village, history-wise.

There is a historical marker application available, Burich said, and she would like to work with, if possible, someone from the village who is already involved with the Daniell Park music series, to fill in information needed and to verify her findings that she put together. She said if that is out of the question, she will do it herself and return to the council with a layout during the next regular council meeting.

“Once we have a round-about dollar amount for a sign, people are more willing to give,” said Burich, “and also I’d like to assure those who do donate (that) any moneys above what is needed will go back into the Daniell Park.”

Burich is hoping to have the sign dedicated before the start of the Music Thursdays, which usually starts in July. She said she hopes the village will use the dedication as a kick-off to the 130th anniversary of the village.