50 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald

Over the weekend, the Wisconsin Historical Society hosted events in Superior to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

 The Edmund Fitzgerald was one of the largest freighters of its time to sail the Great Lakes, measuring 729 feet long with a 75-foot beam. It sank on Nov. 10, 1975 with 29 crew members aboard after encountering treacherous weather. 

As a part of its statewide History Makers Tour, the Wisconsin Historical Society partnered with UW-Superior and the Douglas County Historical Society to host a program featuring acclaimed shipwreck historian Ric Mixter.

Mixter presented investigations into the wreck including exclusive footage, survival interviews, and insights from his personal dive to the site. Mixter mentioned other tragedies that happened that day, and urged that there should be recognition for other heroic acts that may be lesser-known.

“It’s been 50 years, we’ll always remember the Fitzgerald people. I think that it’s special that we do that, it’s special that SplitRock gets lit up, but I also want to see that go a little bit further than that,” says Mixter. 

On Sunday, a new historical marker was unveiled to honor the Edmund Fitzgerald at Barkers Island in Superior by local group Friends of the Fitz and Mayor Jim Payne. Wisconsin Rep. Angela Stroud also presented new legislation recognizing Nov. 10, 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the crew of SS Edmund Fitzgerald. 

There is also a new documentary that premiered throughout Wisconsin on Monday called “50 Years Later: The Edmund Fitzgerald.”