This photograph shows the construction of what was known as Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brevort. The church was dedicated in 1921. The congregation was organized in 1910 by Swedish immigrants from the Aland Islands, between Sweden and Finland. Since then, it has been renamed Trinity Lutheran Church. The inset photograph (top, at left) is how it looks today. The organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in summer 2010. (Photographs courtesy of Lois and Dave Movalson Sr. of Brevort) 90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 17, 1919

If a "county unit" bill which has been introduced in the legislature is passed, the county school systems may be organized on materially different lines than those now being followed. County school boards, similar to the township boards in their make-up and duties, may be named to assume general direction of the rural schools.

The closeness of the vote for changing the city charter as canvassed by the various election boards which gave the measure an adverse majority of 14 votes led some of the citizens most interested in its adoption to ask for a recount of the Third ward, where the proposition was buried [St. Ignace].

Frank D. Scott, representative in congress from this district, is making a trip to Europe for the express purpose of locating soldier boys who are "missing." The congressman has a list of some seventy-five soldiers reported by the government as being in this class, and of whom the officials have lost all trace.

The [St. Ignace] council's action was in effect the purchase of the Jamieson dock and selling it to the Great Lakes Co.

The City Orchestra, under the leadership of Chas. Simmons, is anticipating a large attendance at its ball to be given in Soucie's hall next Monday evening, and as nearly the entire town is making preparations to take in the function, it is not likely the boys will be disappointed.

Dan Fogelsonger and Chas. Madison are getting things in shape for a resumption of their road contract on the Meridian road between the Snows and Pickford.

The steamer Islander made her first trip to Les Cheneaux Monday.

The steamer Islander made a special trip to Mackinaw City Sunday morning, taking Mr. George T. Arnold and Park Supt. Frank Kenyon, both leaving on the noon train.

John Leach has bought the Thomas Hill farm and will put in part of his time working it [Les Cheneaux].

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 16, 1959

Approval of 32 new motel units at a reported cost of $40,000 was given by the city council Monday night [St. Ignace]. Largest construction is that by Mr. and Mrs. Emil Syversen, who propose a 25- unit motel on the former Michelson and Albright property near Marquette Park.

Council authorized removal of the dog pound from near the former Kolbe plant to the new city dump.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting, Mayor Phillips turned to Mayor-Elect Raymond J. France, who was in the audience, and said that at the next regular meeting of council he would "turn over the keys to the city."

Harold Dettman of St. Ignace was re-elected chairman of the Mackinac County Board of Supervisors at the board's organizational meeting on Monday.

R.J. McLachlan announced this week that Ray's Garage at 7 So. State street is now open.

The Sioux City Journal-Tribune of Iowa said April 2 that Harrison Weber reported in his I.D.P.A. column the other day that the name of Forest Evashevski, Iowa football coach, was being mentioned for U.S. senator if Gov. Loveless does not make the race.

Robert Mertaugh, Ronald Carr, and Lewis Landreville left last week to join their boats for the sailing season [Hessel].

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Arundel last week posted marine guard over Mackinac Island, which had been completely isolated for days during the spring break-up of the ice field landing strip in the Island bay.

Jack K. Barnhill of St. Ignace has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permission to construct a rock-filled timber crib "L" shaped pier at his property known as the former Kolbe fish plant. The pier would extend 150 feet lakeward from the existing shoreline and have a 75-foot leg adjacent to the northerly outer end in East Moran Bay.

Two more motels are well under construction within the City of St. Ignace. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Yellen, who own Danny's Motel and Bar, have workmen erecting a prefabricated model which will considerably increase their accommodations. And nearby, Mr. and Mrs. Owen McFarlane are having a brand new motel built near their home.

35 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 18, 1974

Mayor Sarah Tamlyn and other city officials of St. Ignace and Moran Township joined with representatives of Michigan Power Company in a ground-breaking ceremony at the corner of State and Marquette streets on April 16, heralding the commencement of construction activities to bring natural gas to St. Ignace.

For the first time in almost two years, Kincheloe AFB is planning an open house. The event will be held in observance of Armed Forces Day on May 18, and is open to the public.

State Senator Robert W. Davis is pleased to announce that payment of $275,677 is being processed by the State of Michigan to the Mackinac County Board of Public Works for the sewage treatment works to project to serve the City of Mackinac Island, following receipt by the State of an interim Federal reimbursement check in the amount of $291,300.

The Luther B's lost a close one in the last inning of the last game of the season to break a tie and proclaim the Firemen 1974 Dartball champions.

Mackinac Bridge traffic and revenues during March were down for the fourth successive month compared with a year ago, according to Charles T. Fisher III, chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, in his monthly report of bridge statistics.

15 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 21, 1994

The usual rites of spring were observed in St. Ignace last week as the Coast Guard cutter Biscayne Bay opened Dock 1 on Friday, April 15, and the first ferry from Mackinac Island, the Huron, arrived the next day.

The severity of a heating fuel leak, discovered at the Clark Township Community Center March 24, should be known shortly, said Township Clerk Marion Farero.

Testimony in the Pluhar lawsuit resumed last week in Mt. Clemens, as lawyers wrangled about the 1989 death of a woman whose car plunged off the Mackinac Bridge. Former Bridge officials were questioned by lawyers representing the estate of Leslie Ann Pluhar, of Clawson. Pluhar's 1987 Yugo plummeted into the Straits of Mackinac on a rainy September 22, touching off widespread speculation about bridge safety.

St. Ignace is seeking three state and federal grants that could reduce the $4.4 million cost of its marina expansion by about $1 million.

Susan Trevarrow of Cedarville signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday, April 15, to attend Michigan Technological University in Houghton. Trevarrow, who played basketball and volleyball for the Trojans for four years, has chosen basketball as the sport she will play at Michigan Tech.

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.