At the end of the hill on Truckey Street in St. Ignace, where Ace Hardware is now, was Ray's Home and Auto Supply. The store predated World War II and continued through the early 1950s. The Firestone dealership, owned by Ray McLaughlan, displayed a gigantic Chevrolet emblem on top of the building. It also had gasoline pumps on the road side until the city widened the streets in the late 1940s or early 1950s, said John Ruegg, who eventually purchased the business and made it an Ace Hardware. Mr. Ruegg's son, Phillip, now owns and operates the business. (Photograph courtesy of Ollie Boynton) 115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, December 10, 1892

A large number of the business men and citizens of the city gathered together at the club rooms Monday evening, to consider the matter of pushing along the new hotel project.

Advertisement - Lumbermen's rubbers, best kind, at 94¢, at Winkelman's.

Dr. Young has purchased the horse formerly owned by W.J. Ross. Consideration $125.

The doleful sound of the fog whistle has been pealing forth its caution signals for the past few days.

Frank Chambers and his brother brought the Island mail through the gale that swept across the straits Wednesday. The boys encountered a rough voyage, but arrived safely.

The St. Ignace Gym Club gave a hop at their hall in the Mulcrone block last evening.

The Soo canal is closed for the season.

Jay Gould, the great railroad magnate, is dead.

The youngsters had several days of good skating on Crain's Lake.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, December 13, 1917

Not for forty years has the country been in such a tight grip of King Winter at this season of the year as the present time.

Yesterday the forward engine on the Chief was placed in commission, the earliest date for so doing in the history of the Mackinac Transportation Company, according to records in possession of Purser Wenzel.

Jerusalem, the Holy City, has been surrendered by the Turks to British arms, ending more than 1,200 years of possession of the seat of the Christian religion by the Mohammedans.

The kill of deer was considerably less than for any past season covering a period of many years. It is estimated that about 15,000 hunters were in the woods of the northern peninsula, and the great majority returned home without venison.

The school of Brevort is preparing a Christmas night of music, song, and recitation.

Sunday's severe storm prevented Fr. Kerfs of St. Ignace from saying his usual monthly mass in Gros Cap.

There was quite a turnout in Gould City Friday and Saturday from Newberry, Lakefield, Engadine, and Germfask with a bunch of horses for sale. The buyers failed to show up, however.

A large wolf is reported to have been seen crossing Whitefish lake the other day. Believe it or not.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, December 12, 1957

Growth of the St. Ignace area in keeping with the increased traffic induced by the Mackinac Bridge has been keeping the Mackinac Chamber of Commerce busy during the past few weeks. Problems of "growing pains" are posed before the chamber, which is forming study committees to undertake the solutions required.

The calendar to the contrary, winter arrived at the Straits this week. A cold Sunday night built a skim of ice in the bay here on Monday morning. Snow came with irregularity for a couple of days, but in earnest on Tuesday when a couple of inches fell.

Speaking at last Wednesday's meeting of the Michilimackinac Historical Society, Prentiss M. Brown Jr. stated that we have every hope of having the original French fort, de Buade, reconstructed in the St. Ignace area. It has been made part of the program of the state park commission, which is asking for the restoration of sites at Mackinac Island as well as the fort in Mackinaw City.

After setting a new fleet record of tons hauled in a single season, the nine self-unloaders of the Bradley Transportation Line went into winter lay-up last week at Cedarville and Rogers City. A total of 2,500,000 tons of dolomite limestone were shipped from Cedarville, 35 miles northeast of St. Ignace.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, December 14, 1972

The LaSalle Music Department, under the direction of Wayne LeGreve and assistant William Becker, will present its annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 19, at 8 p.m. in the school gym.

The St. Ignace Saints basketball team made it four in a row here Tuesday evening, as they held off an early threat by the Cheboygan Chiefs and then opened up in the second half to register a 78-57 win.

Harry Ryba and Victor Callewaert of Detroit spent two days on the Island this past week looking over the addition to the Island House Hotel.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, December 10, 1992

Walter North, 59, announced last week that he will retire as Mackinac Bridge Authority's executive director at the end of the year, after serving 10 years at the position. He has worked with the Authority for 26 years, counting the 16 years he served as comptroller for the Bridge before he became executive director.

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 the 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.