Looking Back
Compiled by Ryan Schlehuber

Above: This Duluth, South Shore, & Atlantic train was derailed at a brickyard three miles north of St. Ignace in the winter of 1925. The accident was caused by a defective siding switch. At right: One steel rail on the track was ripped from the bed by the wreck. The brickyard took advantage of a clay deposit near the railroad tracks outside St. Ignace. The clay was mined with teams of horses and a scoop drag. (Photographs courtesy of Ralph Dolsen)

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, June 4, 1892

The mill was shut down part of Monday last on account of the bursting of a steam pipe.

Ronald Rankin has built a plank walk between Rankin's harness shop and the Clark building, leading to his boat house and workshop.

Right now is the time to complete the work of making a street out of Goudreau alley. The longer the job is delayed, the more expense. "Taxpayers'" article in this issue on the subject worth reading.

Jacob Snyder is doing the best plowing ever seen in the township of Portage, and is getting in a fine crop of peas and oats. Mrs. Snyder was a caller at H. Burrow's a few days ago.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 7, 1917

War brings with it a call to national service for women as well as men. There are two very important ways in which women can help the nation in war, thereby releasing men for the front, 1) by working in industry, and 2) by joining the American Red Cross.

There is little consolation for Germany over the results of Tuesday's registration. Over 10 million men between ages 21 and 30 answered to their country's call as eligible for enlistment.

Dr. W.E. Chapman of Cheboygan, deputy state health officer, was in Mackinaw City this week and pronounced the disease prevalent among the children around town, scarlet fever, and the home of R. Wheeler on DePeyster street was quarantined, and the school closed for the remainder of the week. If no further cases develop, school will open Monday.

Edward S. Hudson is again running his auto livery business in Les Cheneaux and as heretofore will make his headquarters at the Bon-Air.

The members of the Moran band have offered their services to play in the Army.

50 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 6, 1957

Doctors at Mackinac Straits Hospital described the condition of Elijah Hood as grave this week following an accident in which Hood, working more than 500 feet above the Straits water, fell on the Mackinac Bridge. Preliminary diagnosis of the injuries disclosed four fractured ribs, a deflated lung, and internal bleeding. He required three transfusions.

St. Ignace has a budget for operating expenses over the ensuing year amounting to $146,192.

Last week, at the Clark Township community hall, a justice court was held for four minors and two adults, one a 19-year-old girl, charged with possession of alcoholic beverages. The girl paid a $25 fine and the boys took five days in jail.

Plans for the new addition to the Gros Cap school have been placed on display by the Moran Township Board of Education in the office windows of St. Ignace Fuel Company. The proposed addition will provide four classrooms, a multi-purpose room, and required facilities.

An army sergeant stabbed in the arm with a penknife and an innocent white mule shot in the dark were the only casualties in the bloodless Toledo War, but it resulted in giving Michigan a vast, dark, wild, and fabulously rich empire called the Upper Peninsula. So says Lewis C. Reiman, author and summer camp consultant, in "Upper Peninsula Sketches," an article in the current issue of The Michigan Alumnus Quarterly Review, published at the University of Michigan.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 8, 1972

State Representative Charles Varnum (R-Manistique) today pointed out that St. Ignace is listed for additional funding ($10,000) of their new swimming pool facility following initial approval by the Department of Natural Resources.

The St. Ignace City Council unanimously approved allocating $1,500 of the summer recreation program with the stipulation that girls be wholeheartedly included and the suggestion that such things as hiking, bicycling, etc. become a part of the program which might have more appeal to girls.

As the St. Ignatius Loyola School closes and the Ursuline Convent ceases to operate in St. Ignace, the sisters who have been associated with these time-honored hallowed halls in the most recent years will be here through the sad task of packing up, shutting off heat, water, etc., moving furnishings, and personal belongings, and boarding up the buildings. Sisters include Sister Michaela, Sister Marguerite, Sister Maria Claire, Sister Mary Clare, Sister Matthais, Sister Ann Raphael, and Sister Madeline. The Ursuline Academy was started in 1897.

15 Years Ago The St. Ignace News Thursday, June 4, 1992

Mackinac Straits Hospital and Burns Clinic have reached an agreement in principle to develop a rural health clinic at the St. Ignace hospital - considered a key step toward keeping the hospital running.

DeTour Area School's Teacher of the Year was awarded to Barbara Schmitigal. She is commemorating her 20th year at the school.

LaSalle High School athletes of the year were Toni and April Lorente, and Curtis Brown.

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.