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Looking Back

This photograph, taken by Ronald Wilson of St. Ignace in 1959, won him $1,000, as it was chosen first place by Mackinac Bridge designer David B. Steinman, who held a photograph contest for best picture of the Mackinac Bridge. (Photograph courtesy of Michilimackinac Historical Society) The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 3, 1919

City Engineer Mulcrone, under orders from the board of works, began Monday in shutting off both water and light service to all delinquents [St. Ignace].

Speculation is rife in marine circles over the proposed consolidation of the United States Coast Guard Service with the Navy.

Elmer L. Crull of Trout Lake, who has just been named as deputy state fire warden for the district comprising Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties, has perfected an organization in this district for fighting forest fires this year, which he believes will tend to decrease the district's annual rate of fire losses.

Forest fires are raging in nearly every portion of the wooded section of Mackinac and other peninsula counties, and unless soon checked by rains, the damage will run up into the millions. A number of lumber camps have been wiped out and many operators have their entire crews engaged in fighting the flames.

The big scrap between Willard and Dempsey for the heavyweight championship takes place in Toledo tomorrow afternoon.

C. Brake, former superintendent of the Mackinac Island schools and for the past year instructor and director of laboratories in the science department of the Iron Mountain schools, is now at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he writes he has a fine position and intends staying there for the coming year at least.

Judge and Mrs. Ignatius Reagan are this week enjoying a reunion with their children and families, the first in a number of years.

The Massey House at Brevort Lake is pretty well filled up - more guests there at this season than for a long, long time.

The state of war existing between the United States and Germany came to an end Saturday at 3:45 p.m. when the German delegates signed the treaty of peace as dictated by the allies. The surrender was complete and no changes were made in the document.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 2, 1959

Mayor Raymond J. France and all eight of his councilmen sat in three sessions Monday night as the result of a special meeting called to review the budget, which had been vetoed by the mayor, and to consider parking problems.

Charges that the City of St. Ignace has competed with taxpaying parking lots to the detriment of the taxpayers were heard by the common council in session Monday night [St. Ignace].

According to Keith Wilson, director of the Michigan Waterways Commission, a five-year plan for a million dollar harbor development program at Mackinac Island is being considered.

Winner of the $1,000 Mackinac Bridge contest is Ronald J. Wilson of St. Ignace, it was announced Thursday by Dr. David. B. Steinman, famed designer of the Mackinac Bridge and donor of the prizes.

The chairman of the Michigan Turnpike Authority has said that the state stands to gain $195 million if a resolution now being considered by the United States House of Representatives passes.

The Cedarville Business Men's association again have put into operation the information booth located at the intersection of M-134 and M-129 in Cedarville.

Prentiss M. Brown, Jr. and his committee designed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the new tourist association in the upper peninsula will meet at the bridge offices here [St. Ignace] today.

35 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 4, 1974

St. Ignace, the Upper Peninsula's gateway city, is highlighted as a top Michigan vacation and travel destination in Automobile Club of Michigan's June Motor News magazine, an issued devoted exclusively to the Upper Peninsula and its wide variety of tourist attractions.

August 1 is the tentative date scheduled for the completion of the new drive-in branch of the St. Ignace First National Bank located on North State Street near Fr. Marquette Park.

Sally North of St. Ignace has accepted appointment as Bob Davis' chairman in Mackinac County for the upcoming 37th District State Senate election.

William H. Kelly, St. Ignace, a highway equipment operator who spent 28 years sailing the Great Lakes, will retire July 12 after 36 years with the Department of State Highways and Transportation.

Rev. Fr. William Graham is leaving St. Ignace after four years as pastor of the St. Ignace Area Episcopal mission, which included the Church of the Good Sheperd, Kincheloe AFB, and DeTour.

Monday, July 1, the City Council meeting in regular session moved to introduce the resolution to consider the abandonment of the public alley which runs behind Pemble Bros. Warehouse.

Ushering in the Independence Day holiday here will be the Firemen's Ball to be staged in the Veterans' Hall in Hessel with Clark O'Brian general chairman.

15 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, July 7, 1994

It may have rained on St. Ignace's parade, but the old cliche proved false; monstrous thundershowers did nothing to quell the usual outpouring of patriotism on Independence Day.

Mackinac County's frost disaster aid checks arrived July 5, despite another weather problem that prevented them from being delivered directly to the county seat. Fog grounded the airplane that was to carry Col. Michael Robinson from Traverse City to St. Ignace for a public check passing in the St. Ignace City Council chambers. Instead, County Emergency Services Director Ben Thompson and County Commissioner Ray McGrath drove to Charlevoix that afternoon to collect the checks.

Dawn Blair, 19, was crowned Miss St. Ignace during St. Ignace's Sunday street dance. Kayley Lasley and Michael Della-Moretta, both 8, were named princess and prince.

The long-awaited repair of St. Ignace Road, also referred to as "old M-134," is underway at the road's west end and it looks as though repairs to Clark Township's portion of the road may soon begin.

During July 4th festivities in St. Ignace, winners of the beautiful

baby contest were Jessica Bentley, Landon Oliver, Saje Kateri Pernie, Curtis Gustin, Jessica Doud, and Bryant Danielson. Sara Jo Warren, 13, was named Junior Miss St. Ignace. Eleanor and Warren Christianson were named Senior Citizen Queen and King of St. Ignace.

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.