This rare and early postcard of the grounds of the Islington Hotel in the Les Cheneaux Islands, near Melchers' Point, is more than 11 inches in length. The Islington Hotel, built in 1895, was razed in 1959. It was one of several large resort hotels in the Les Cheneaux Islands that catered to resorters traveling by steamer. They were replaced by the housekeeping cabin resorts that accommodated automobile travelers. (Postcard courtesy of David Brobst) 90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, August 1, 1918

There was a tentative agreement between the present county officials to let the election go by default that there would be no opposition to those now holding offices, but someone spilled the beans and the outlook now is for a contest rivaling in political intensity any county election of recent years. Running for sheriff are - Michael McGrath (Democrat), R.H. Benjamin (Rep.), and A.R. Highstone (Rep).

The Enterprise last week called attention to one of the benefits of opening the county road by the location of a butter tub hoop factory by the Nemode Bros. in the vicinity of Nunn's creek.

Residents of the city with hard coal heating apparatus are considerably alarmed over the recent city's allotment of 123 tons for the town. The amount is but one-eighth of the normal consumption. Mackinac Island is particularly fortunate, as it happens that a big order was placed by Mr. Arnold in 1916 and this year's allotment for the Island has been placed at 850 tons.

The Soo, in a special election held last week, granted an extension of 22 years to the franchise of the street railway company. We note by the published statement that the company contemplates an extension of its lines to Pickford as a means for both freight and passenger traffic, although this improvement may not be made until the conclusion of the war, owing to the present high cost of equipment and labor.

None of the hotels [in Les Cheneaux] have done much business so far, but all are expecting a good August business.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 31, 1958

It is considered poor form to open a story with a negation, but who ever heard of a strip of uninhabited rocky shoreline becoming a tourist attraction? It just doesn't happen. Yet, at the north end and just to the left of the Mackinac Bridge is a spit of land, soaked in history, which is getting an uncommon amount of attention from the Michigan traveler. This is the site where Fort de Buade will be reconstructed.

Barring unseen difficulties, St. Ignace's Athletic Park will be lighted for night sports events by September 1.

A joint agreement between the highway department of Michigan and the Province of Ontario to finance preliminary designs of a proposed international toll bridge across the St. Marys River between the American and Canadian Saults was announced by State Highway Commissioner John. C. Mackie.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 2, 1973

Edison Sault Electric Company customers are among the lowest rate payers in the United States. Figures released by American Electric Power Service Corporation on the average revenue for each kilowatt hour of electric service in 1972 show Edison Sault customers paid 1.94 cents for each kilowatt hour of service. This figure of 1.94 cents was 15th from the lowest in the country that ranged from 1.19 cents to 3.04 cents for each hour of electric energy.

Laura Gann, 12-year-old stepdaughter of Burton Krause of Fresno, Calif., and Gerry Brown, son of Mrs. Claude Brown Sr., of St. Ignace, this past week were the recipients of the heartfelt thanks and a gift of appreciation from Mr. Harvey Walker of Saginaw, whose life they are credited with saving from near drowning on July 7.

Grant Berggren Jr., new superintendent of the St. Ignace City Schools, is due in St. Ignace to assume his duties here early next week. He was born and raised in Menominee.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, July 29, 1993 A revised "dangerous buildings" ordinance that take effect August 9 will tighten procedures for dealing with complaints about deteriorating buildings in St. Ignace.

A new record time was set by the Holland, Michigan-based yacht Windquest in the 69th running of the Bayview to Mackinac race, a 298- mile sailing classic.

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 sent or dropped off at The St. Ignace News.