Standing next to a newly built Mackinaw boat are Ignace Cheginer (middle), and, on the far left, Jimmy Pond, at Mr. Cheginer's shop. Mackinaw boats are a strong, flat-bottomed boat used by fur traders and had evolved into a type of sail boat for open water. Just behind the barn is the Grondin family log home, which would be on what is now called Grondin Street in St. Ignace, near the Mackinac County airport. According to the writing on the back of the photograph, it was torn down in the 1960s. At the far left is the home of Thomas Cheginer, which was destroyed by fire in 1941. The building in the middle is unidentified. The lumber in the barn and shed, according to an inscription on the back, was used to build the Mosier home, near the present day Mackinac County Road Commission building. The photograph was taken in the 1880s. (Photograph courtesy of Paul Grondin) 115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, June 13, 1891

As this is to be the last term of court which Judge Steere will hold in Mackinac County, a number of our citizens considered that in view of his uniform courtesy and kindness both to members of the bar and the public generally, a banquet ought to be given to commemorate his retirement from the bench of this county. The idea was no sooner conceived than it commenced to take active shape, and on Tuesday evening a number of our citizens assembled at the Sherwood House and sat down to a supper prepared in Sherwood's best style, with the addition of buttonhole bouquets, music, and speeches befitting the occasion.

"Millie, The Quadron, or Out of Bondage," is the title of the beautiful five-act drama soon to be presented to the public at Orth's Opera House by local talent, under the auspice of the St. Ignace Society Band.

75 take you to Les Cheneaux and back tomorrow on the steamer Chas. West.

A report comes from Cedarville that a little unpleasantness occurred there last week between Frank Peck and Amos H. Beech. It appears that Beech owes Peck money, for which the latter made a demand. From words, they came to blows, and Beech received a black eye. It is said, however, that Peck would have got the worst of it but for the interference of a couple of contractors who pulled Beech off just as he was beginning to get warmed up.

Dan Kenter will be pleased to do your draying or delivering of baggage and parcels to any part of the city at very reasonable figures. Careful handling and prompt dispatch assured. See adv.

At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon an alarm of fire had occurred at the Snyder House, which was quickly subdued by the house hose and the services of the fire department were not needed.

M. Jamieson goes to Les Cheneaux on Monday to arrange for the opening of the Muscalongo hotel on the 20th.

The elegant home, corner of Portage and Mary streets, opp. Mr. C.S. Carr's, only $1,050. Six hundred down, balance one year's time at 7 per cent. For further particulars call on M.F. Stellwagen.

Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Railroad Show, consisting of 36 cars, is headed this way and will give two exhibitions in St. Ignace on July 8.

H.B. Smith, Sault Ste. Marie's noted boniface [innkeeper], who for 37 seasons has opened the Chippewa House to the public, dropped dead at the Soo on Tuesday morning. He was known throughout the country, and "Chippewa" Smith's whitefish had a fame unsurpassed.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 15, 1916

Steamer Charles Price, which was lost in the great storm of November 8-11, 1913, and is on the bottom of 11 miles above Port Huron, was in a collision, according to reports made by the divers who have examined the wrecked boat. The examination was not thorough, but the divers are satisfied that the Price was rammed by another steamer. That probably means that there is another wreck close to where the Price went down.

Notwithstanding the objectionable weather that has been prevalent throughout the country, the old timers who make it a point to spend their summers in the lake region are getting the fever and a number have already arrived at the resorts. Mackinac Island reports quite a few of these now on the ground, as does also Brevort Lake, while St. Ignace is getting her share. With favorable weather conditions the predictions of many that this will be the banner summer for the great lakes resorts promises to come true.

Gould City column A fire of mysterious origin caused the blacksmith shop of Wm. Lyman to be burned to the ground. There had been no fire in the building for three weeks and the conclusion is that it was purposely fired, as the blaze started in the second story and it was found that the back door had been broken in.

Les Cheneaux column Mrs. R.S. Melchers and daughter Miss Hermeone are again at Hotel Islington, preparing for summer guests. The Elliott House is scheduled to open for the season on June 26th. Mrs. E.D. McBain writes that she will leave Grand Rapids on June 15th for Hotel Lakeside. It is expected that someone will be here to open Cedar Inn about the 15th. This heralds the appearance of the tourist, who has learned the comfort of our Les Cheneaux hostelries.

50 Years Ago The Republican-News & St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 14, 1956

Sheriff Leslie McDonald, state police, bridge worker volunteers, and U.S. Coast Guard this week redoubled efforts to recover the body of the second victim of the fall from the Mackinac Straits bridge.

A gigantic parade of festival marching units supplemented by detachments from Camp Lucas at the Soo and Kinross Air Force base as well as a riding hillbilly band from Newberry, was enjoyed by thousands who lined State Street during Saturday evening's annul U.P. Association of American Legion Convention.

St. Ignace has a budget for operating expenses over the ensuing year amounting to $142,001.86. The figure is $24,936.86 over the past year.

Patrons of The Wagon Wheel restaurant, operated by Maude and Edward LaMotte, about four miles west of St. Ignace, are often surprised when they see a big black bear appear at the side of the restaurant. "Pete," as he has been dubbed, makes an excursion out of the forest twice daily. The bear can be seen from the highway when he feeds at the restaurant and has become a tourist attraction.

If you wait until you've got enough money to do something you've always wanted to do, you'll never do it. That's the slogan of Kenneth King and his wife, Joanne, who passed through St. Ignace Saturday on a 500-mile detour in their 3,000-mile horseback trip to Pendleton, Oregon. They started in Temperance, Michigan.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News & St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 17, 1971

Following several weeks of interviews with prospective coaches from throughout Michigan, Warren Luttmann, superintendent of Petoskey Public Schools, announced on Friday morning, June 11, that Gene Shank, of LaSalle High School, had contracted late Thursday night as the new basketball coach for the Petoskey Northmen. He has spent the past seven years with St. Ignace, compiling an overall record of 95-25 record, one of the best in the state.

Downtown St. Ignace welcomed another new business to Main Street when Louie and Pat Leveille opened their Annex Ice Cream Parlor adjoining LaRocques Drug Store.

Robert "Bob" Robinson of St. Ignace was awarded the U.S. Department of the Navy's Naval Flight Officer of the Year.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into its archives and for the Looking Back column. Photographs to be loaned or donated to the Michilimackinac Historical Society can also be dropped off at The St. Ignace News.