This turn-of-the-century photograph shows guests arriving by ferryboat at a dock leading to the Islington Hotel on Melchers’ Point in Cedarville. The former Islington was a graceful resort hotel built in 1895 by Rose Stroh Melchers and her husband, Milo. Mrs. Melchers ran the bustling resort herself from 1905 through 1942, when it was closed during World War II because gas rationing prevented tourists from venturing north. The hotel was reopened in 1946 and operated by Mrs. Melchers’ descendants for another 12 years. It was finally torn down in 1959. The Islington was one of several large resort hotels in the Les Cheneaux Islands that persisted through the 1950s, when they were replaced by the housekeeping cabin resorts that were emerging as the preferred lodging for sportsmen and families. (Photograph courtesy of the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum) 115 Years Ago

Saturday, October 8, 1890

The steamers Eagle and Ionia collided in the Straits last night, during the heavy fog. The Ionia made for Mackinaw City and Diver Dodd is working on her today. No particulars could be learned at hour of going to press.

Wm. P. Preston, of Mackinac, threatens to commence suit in the superior court against G.A. Wolf and A. Amberg of Grand Rapids, for $5,000 damages for false imprisonment.

The Michigan Central has an entire “black train” running between this city and Jackson. The coaches in their new colors present a handsome appearance. It is the intention of the Michigan Central to repaint all coaches this color as fast as possible. –– Bay City Times.

50 Years Ago

Thursday, October 6, 1955

Justin Coveyou, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Coveyou of South State Street, has received a letter of thanks from President Eisenhower for a portrait he had made of the president and sent to Washington. The boy is a 5th grade student at the Ursuline Academy.

Four hours in the cold, rough waters of the Straits of Mackinac on Sunday defeated the hopes of William H. Handley, 44, Boston marine engineer, to traverse the three and a half mile stretch between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Water temperature as Handley entered the Straits was 51, by the time he reached deep water the current was 47 degrees and strong. Wind was varying about 15 to 18 miles per hour from the north.

The Mackinac County Safety committee has moved to back proposed state legislation installing a speed limit on highways. The committee recommends 60 miles in daylight and 55 miles at night.

Ronald Bloch, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Bloch, has completed his tour of duty with the army and has enrolled at Northern Michigan, Marquette.

Cedarville column –– B.K. Patrick reported seeing a moose swimming between Stevenson’s Pte. and LaSalle Island and the mainland east of the mill site one day last week. It was a drizzly day with poor visibility and the animal was nearly to shore before he was sighted, so not many were fortunate enough to see him.

35 Years Ago

Thursday, October 8, 1970

St. Ignace is facing a serious revenue problem for which new revenues must be found or City services greatly curtailed, City Manager Steven L. Walters told the City Council Monday evening in a meeting that was notable for serious consideration of the problem. The cause, according to Walters, is the 1969 property re-appraisal which reduced the city’s tax potential by eight percent, and a 13 percent drop in state-returned revenues for 1971.

September crossing on Mackinac Bridge were up 17.9 percent from 185,099 to 218,204. Revenues were up 16.9 percent from $320,852 to $375,223.

Births –– Oct. 2 - To Mr. and Mrs. Leon Westover of St. Ignace, a boy, 7 pounds; Oct. 3 - To Mr. and Mrs. Richard McFarlane, St. Ignace, a boy, 8 pounds, 4 ounces.

15 Years Ago

Thursday, October 4, 1990

One man was killed and three men, including a St. Ignace man, were rescued when a tug boat from Ryba’s Marine, Cheboygan, sank Monday, October 1 about 14 miles north of Huron City, near the tip of Michigan’s thumb. Dead is Joseph Ross, 41, from Cheboygan. The other crew members were James Ryerse, of St. Ignace, Paul Darga, of Posen, and Jeff Armstrong, of Cheboygan.

A scrapbook of Fort Mackinac memorabilia, recently donated to Mackinac State Historic Parks by the granddaughter of an officer who served at the Mackinac Island fort, has put a gleam in the eyes of park historians. The scrapbook covers the late 1800s period and contains photographs of fort officers and building interiors park officials say they have never seen before. The donor is Violet Bowling of St. Louis, Missouri, a granddaughter of Lieutenant Edward Pratt, who was stationed at the fort from 1884 through 1889.