Ferries Historian To Sign Books July 25

A newly published photograph collection of the Michigan State ferries by author and historian Les Bagley will be the subject of a free program at the St. Ignace Public Library Wednesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Bagley, who has written a series of articles entitled "Autos Across Mackinac" published in weekly installments in The St. Ignace News this year, will visit St. Ignace during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge. He will speak about his historical research on the Michigan state ferry fleet, and Kim Nowak of the Mackinac Bridge staff will present a program about the building of the bridge.

"Michigan State Ferries," a collection of vintage photographs, has been published by Arcadia Publishing in its "Images of America" series. More than 225 photographs will be presented about the history of the ferry fleet, including rare images of what became of the ships after they were no longer needed at the Straits of Mackinac.

Mr. Bagley will sign copies of his photograph book at the library, and copies will be available for sale.

The pictorial history volume does not include Mr. Bagley's historical articles about the ferry service. Installments of this manuscript will continue to be printed in The St. Ignace News weekly through 2007.