The Jones-Kerry lumber mill near the Mill Slip in St. Ignace serves as the backdrop for this photograph of Ruby and Elmer Lawson and an unidentified mill watchman in a boat. This photograph is thought to have been taken the season before the mill burned to the ground in January 1919. The mill was closed for the season at the time of the fire. It was built in 1907 for $63,000 and included band and re-saws, lath machines, and "everything up-tothe minute for the successful and economical manufacture of lumber," according to an article published in The St. Ignace News January 16, 1919. The paper touted the mill as one of the best equipped plants in the north country. (Photograph courtesy of Lois and David Movalson of Brevort) 90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 3, 1919

If the Legislature rushes through a law to permit trout fishing in the Upper Peninsula May 1st, instead of commencing May 15th as in the past, then the right to spear suckers and pike will end May 1st. The trout season opening would be changed 15 days earlier if efforts on the part of fishermen in the Upper Peninsula swing the Legislature to their issue.

The steamer Renown was the first freighter to pass through the straits this season, passing down bound Detroit from Whiting, Indiana, Saturday, March 27. She was followed by a sister ship, the D.P. Cowan, going through Sunday. The Renown was also the first trip up, getting from Detroit through the straits Sunday. A quick trip demonstrating that she was not hindered by ice.

H.E. Gulpin, president; Capt. Thos. Johnson, vice-president, and Capt. Alex Cunning, wrecking master of the Great Lakes Towing & Wrecking Co., were in the city Monday looking over dock sites for the new wrecker Favorite, now in Detroit. They consulted with city attorney Brown and members of the Business Men's Association, and while they gave no definite decision whether they would make this a permanent home for the Favorite, or go to Cheboygan, where the company has an offer, they were evidently in favor of this port, providing the proper dock privileges, etc., could be obtained. President Gulpin announced that a definite decision would be arrived at during the week.

Wm. Derusha of Charles has been notified by the U.S. Lighthouse department that he has been appointed district lighthouse keeper and to report for duty April 4. Mr. Derusha expects to serve for a time as substitute at different stations but hopes to soon be permanently located.

Maple syrup is coming in from the camps, the first to arrive with a "cargo" being Alex Lozon, who is usually the first.

The forward engine of the Chief, used during the ice periods, was disconnected last Saturday. Although there have been early openings of navigation through the straits in former years, this was the earliest the engine has ever been disconnected on the car ferry.

Mr. Dean of Chicago was here Saturday and Sunday looking after the interior decorating of the Grand Hotel.

All hotels and business places are getting ready for an early opening this summer [Mackinac Island].

[Les Cheneaux] As there was no ice near the Lakeside hotel this winter, which could be stored, ice was cut and stored on Hill's island and a shed built over it.

C.H. Hopkins is preparing to build a couple of small houses on his Wayside place as soon as the weather conditions permit work to commence. The indications for a good resort season are multiplying [at Les Cheneaux].

The [St. Ignace] band has changed its name from City to the Marine band. E.G. Clark is the leader.

Chas. Spung and Jess Fisher have been arrested by Sheriff Monteith on the charge of plundering a Finlander at Hunts Spur February 1st.

Signs have been posted by Marshall Therrien informing cattle owners of the ordinance prohibiting cattle running at large after April 1st. If you miss your cow, your first trip should be to the pound.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 2, 1959

Marilyn Movalson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Movalson of Brevort, will be featured on the program for Our Heritage Day May 22, during Michigan week. Miss Movalson, who has been engaged by the U.P. Development Bureau as a model to emphasize winter sports in publicity programs, is a student at Northern Michigan college, Marquette.

As of the week ending March 26, there were 525 persons drawing unemployment benefits through the St. Ignace office. Ninety of this number were from the Cedarville-Hessel area, and 50 were from Mackinac Island.

Fire resulted in the death of George Pond, 65, early Saturday morning. The blaze was discovered about 12:45 a.m. by Ray Dennis, Bernard Paquin, and Allen Lester, who ran to the Third ward home of Pond, broke open the door and found the interior smoke-filled and blazing. According to Fire Chief Leonard St. Louis, they found Pond fully clothed, partially sitting on the edge of his bed.

The Moran township board of education and Gros Cap Parent- Teacher members are extending an invitation to the public to attend open house and dedication ceremonies at the new Gros Cap elementary school on Sunday, April 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.

A fast-moving suspense mystery entitled "Hobglobin House" is the selection of the Les Cheneaux high school juniors and seniors for their class play. The play, with a cast of twelve is now in rehearsal, under the direction of Mrs. Ruth Visnaw, a member of the high school faculty.

A large number of people were present at the open house at the spacious new parsonage of the Bethel Lutheran church of Cedarville. Pastor R. Howard Fehr and Mrs. Fehr greeted friends from the Soo, Allenville, Brevort, and St. Ignace.

Sam McIntire arrived Wednesday from St. Clair Shores. Mr. McIntire will start the addition to the Iroquois Hotel, a cocktail lounge and snack bar. This will be built on the back of the hotel.

The motor sleigh is still making ice crossings on Saturday; several trips were made and according to Vance-Bloswick- O'Brien, the crossing is better at this time than it has been all winter, the trip being made in 10 minutes.

35 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 4, 1974

State Police Lt. William R. France, 55, commander of the St. Ignace Post, is retiring Friday, April 6, after more than 33 years of service, Col. John R. Plants, department director, has reported. France was born in Cheboygan, where he graduated from high school.

Last Monday, 345 electors turned out to re-elect all incumbents and approved the Edison Sault Electric Company franchise in Mackinac Island's general election. Clemens E. Gunn, unopposed, was re-elected to his second term as mayor with a complimentary vote of 227.

Navigation opened at the Straits of Mackinac for the 1974 shipping season Tuesday night, March 26. The Frank A. Sherman, Montreal, and Canadian Leader, all Canadianowned ships, were escorted through the Straits by the Coast Guard icebreaker South Wind. They passed under the Mackinac Bridge, westbound, around midnight.

The Michigan Power Gas Company, who will be bringing natural gas to St. Ignace, expects to get some activity rolling within the next two to three weeks.

An early Tuesday morning fire of an undetermined origin completely destroyed the residence and contents of the Michael Glashaw family, claiming the life of his brother, Randolph Joseph Glashaw, who perished in the blaze.

The St. Ignace post office will have a new 20-car paved parking lot located on the south side of the post office, Postmaster Ollie Boynton has revealed.

15 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 7, 1994

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Biscayne Bay put an end to the ice bridge between Mackinac Island and St. Ignace last week. Arnold Transit General Manager Bob Brown said he does not foresee any ferry runs before the week of April 18.

Clark Township again will be asked to support a Nature Conservancy decision to buy and preserve 2.5 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, a request rejected last month by the Township Board.

With new water main breaks showing up each week, St. Ignace was nearly at a standstill in thawing out residents' freezing water services.

The continual debate regarding gill net fishing and marine safety next week moves to Sault Ste. Marie, as state and tribal officials meet to discuss a possible compromise.

Proposal A's whopping victory last month apparently has further fueled momentum to reform spending on schools.

Jim Lamoreaux and Barry Pierson of St. Ignace will be among 10 individuals inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, April 23, in Marquette.

Kara Scherer, a 1993 graduate of Cedarville High School, is a member of the Central Michigan University track and field team this year.

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.