The 101-foot steel-hulled lightship LV-98 was anchored at Lansing Shoal from 1920 to 1928, replacing the wooden LV-55, which had been stationed there since 1901. Lightships were used over treacherous reefs or at dangerous narrows and other places where lighthouses could not easily be built, and they were moored at shore during the winters. The lightship, seen here at a St. Ignace dock, was replaced by a permanent light in 1928, extending the shipping season for the larger freighters that could plow through winter ice. Lansing Shoal is 12 miles north of Beaver Island, west of the Mackinac Bridge. (Photograph courtesy of ViewsofthePast.com) 90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, December 12, 1918

The annual bazaar of the Ursaline Academy was an unqualified success from every viewpoint, notwithstanding the inclement weather, which kept many from Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island from attending. There were large crowds present both evenings, something like $400 being realized from the sales and raffles.

Gus Michalka, stepson of Chas. Litzner of Moran, was decorated for bravery in action in France.

The wind storm of Monday night and Tuesday was one of the most severe experienced here this season. So strong was the gale that it was impossible for the big ferry Chief Wawatam to make a landing at Mackinaw City, and in consequence, there were no trains from below the straits until Wednesday morning. Some damage was done to small boats and launches anchored near the beach.

It is predicted that there will be a post-belum revival of the lumber business and that it will boom as never before. St. Ignace should profit by the revival. There is today a demand for boxes, crating, and all kinds of wooden products that cannot be met. The St. Ignace Box & Float Co. is preparing for the boom and expect to greatly enlarge their plant.

The Edwin Bell Cooperage Co. have taken advantage of the early fall of snow and started their log haul.

O.A. Walstad, cashier of Mackinac cattle, [traveled] to the Chicago market Friday.

The Trout Lake hotel, one of the finest and most modern in the upper peninsula, was destroyed by fire at three p.m. Sunday. The building and furnishings are practically wiped out, although some of the contents were saved. Mr. and Mrs. Ollie W. Smith are the proprietors.

Round Island lighthouse closed Dec. 10.

Sixteen breweries, representing buildings of value of $20,000,000 and representing business investments of $100,000,000, closed at St. Louis in accordance with the government's order that beer must not be manufactured after that date. When the last beer was brewed, there was on hand 10,000,000 barrels, enough to last the nominal retail trade of the city four months.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, December 11, 195

Members of the Citizens' Advisory committee in St. Ignace have been busy these past four weeks investigating advantages and disadvantages concerning several sites for the proposed new high school. At the November meeting, Joseph Vairo, former president of the school board, discussed property in the Third ward located on the west side of the So. Airport road.

"The city owns 25 acres and 25 more are available there," explained Mr. Vairo.

In a new advertising folder featuring "Fun in the Snow in Michigan, Winter Wonderland," Bryce's Hill near St. Ignace is listed among 69 ski areas in the state.

Two hundred and twelve deer were killed on Bois Blanc island during the 16-day firearm season in November, Conservation Officer Al Smith reported.

Trustees of the Michilimackinac Historical Society and representatives of the St. Ignace council, Knights of Columbus, along with other interested citizens, will form a committee to make long-range plans for the development of Mackinac county's historical resources.

The Barrett Lumber Co. mill at Newberry burned Tuesday evening with a loss of about $75,000, and throwing more than 25 men out of work. The company's St. Ignace mill burned out several years ago with a greater loss, after which operations were removed to Newberry.

Coldest morning of the month so far seems to have been Tuesday of this week. Thermometers from 5 to 15 below zero in various sections here.

Wallace Edlund, supervisor of Soo townships schools, [was] the guest speaker at the last regular meeting of the Les Cheneaux Lions. Edlund, being a science teacher, gave an interesting speech on the Atomic Age.

Already, ice fishing is underway in Les Cheneaux for this year.

Mr. and Mrs. Rich Gosciniak and family have left for Detroit to spend the winter. They operate the popular Shores Restaurant at Evergreen Shores.

Stella King, R.N., returned Monday from her month's vacation in Detroit, Algonac, Ann Arbor, and Monroe.

35 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, December 13, 1973

Despite the bone chilling cold, a group of Christmas carolers, under the direction of Mrs. Gloria Davenport, gathered together to warm and fill the hearts of those present with the joys and expectations of the Christmas season. With the lighting of the magnificent tree, Mayor Sarah H. Tamlyn expressed the sentiments of the Christmas spirit.

The Mackinac Island Fire Department received delivery of their new Pierce Fire Truck on Friday from Appleton, Wisconsin. On hand to accept the new vehicle from Ed Baker was Fire Chief Armand Horn, and Robert LaPine, assistant chief, Captain Bill Squires, and firemen George Wellington, Bill Smith, and Elmer Bradley. The new Ford diesel pumper priced out at $31,183, and is equipped with a 750-gallon high pressure water tank.

Juan Sterk, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sterk of St. Ignace, returned recently from an allexpense paid one-week vacation trip to Disney World and Daytona Beach, Florida.

Juan won the trip by signing up 148 new subscribers from the surrounding area to the Detroit Free Press.

Greg LaTour had another fine night, with 27 points and eight assists, as he led the Saints basketball team to a 81-54 trouncing of the Newberry Indians. Louie Grondin collected 16 rebounds and Terry Gillespie had 11 boards and 11 points.

15 YEARS AGO The St. Ignace News

Thursday,

December 9, 1993

In a classic case of good newsbad news, bids on the first phase of St. Ignace's water project are nearly $1 million higher than expected, but still may not drive up water rates very much.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians probably will alter its gill net fishing practices by the start of the next season to reduce the risk for boaters.

Brevort Township could have a sewer system, ending a key source of contamination of Brevort Lake, by fall 1995, township residents were told at a public meeting last week.

Brad Ledy earned the Art Huskey Memorial Award for most valuable player this year for the Saints football team, during the 29th annual Saints Football Bust. For the girls basketball team, Michelle LeCount was named most valuable player.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to e 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.