Looking Back
Compiled by Lisa Zyble

114 YEARS AGO

April 25, 1891

The steamer Gazelle broke the ice up to Jamieson's dock on Wednesday.

About 75 horses arrived in the city last Saturday, from different camps in this vicinity.

The question of an electric light plant for St. Ignace is one that should be agitated by every man, woman, and child in the city, and keep right at it until we get there.

May 9, 1891

The steamer City of Grand Rapids is expected here tomorrow to start on the Traverse City route. It will start Monday morning and make a round trip every two days, as in former seasons.

A little snow fell Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. On those days the weather was quite cold, causing many who had taken down their coal stoves to re-light them.

May 16, 1891

Mr. and Mrs. E. McAdam returned to the city this week. They will soon open up their store on the Island.

Michigan State Items: The recent heavy rains in New Brunswick have started the logs down the St. John River, and the lumbermen are happy. Alpena businessmen are going to build a railroad from their city to Hillman, and have formed a company with approximately $50,000 to do it.

Saginaw people are happy because the legislature has appropriated $50,000 for the Genesee avenue bridge. This gives the ex-twin $200,000 to build bridges with this year.

90 YEARS AGO

April 22, 1915

The Lotus made her first trip to Hessel on Tuesday.

James McCarty was last week notified by the post office department of his appointment as postmaster of the Island to succeed Postmaster Benjamin.

Mr. and Mrs. George T. Arnold arrived Tuesday.

April 29, 1915

The steamers Islander , Mackinac , and Chippewa , arrived Sunday from Cheboygan, where they were in winter quarters.

The residence of City Assessor W.A. Smith at Harrisonville was destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. So fierce were the flames that it was impossible to do anything from the second floor. Mr. Smith was in St. Ignace attending a meeting of the supervisors when the fire took place.

Joseph Leggett left Wednesday for a short business trip to Detroit. He is expected home Saturday.

May 6, 1915

The work of cleaning, grading, and graveling the streets commenced Monday, under the supervision of City Marshall John LaPine.

Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Lachance are again with us, returning Saturday from St. Ignace, where they spent the winter.

Walter Pfeiffelman returned from Detroit Sunday.

May 13, 1915

Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Herold arrived on the Island last week from Detroit, where they spent the greater portion of the winter and are getting things in shape for the opening of their restaurant and amusement parlors.

Frank Dufina, instructor at the Wawashkamo Golf Club, has been busy during the past few weeks in getting the links ready for the opening of the season. He says they will be in better shape than ever.

Mrs. John Chambers and children of Minneapolis, Minnesota, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Metevier.

50 YEARS AGO

April 21, 1955

Mrs. Selma Dufina arrived Saturday from Florida and Detroit and will reopen the famous Selma's Candy Store.

Robert Gillespie arrived Sunday from Detroit and will remain here for the summer.

Mrs. Clarence Metevier and daughter, Mrs. Ackley, arrived Tuesday from Flint to spend the summer.

April 28, 1955

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shama arrived from New York last week, among the first of the curio store operators to arrive here.

Mr. and Mrs. Alan F. Sawyer and children enjoyed smelt fishing Thursday night in the vicinity of St. Ignace.

Grandma's Kitchen will sponsor the monthly bake sale at the community hall April 30. This is for the benefit of the building fund for the proposed new health center.

May 12, 1955

Mr. and Mrs. Orville Steele have reopened their summer home, having spent the winter in PawPaw.

Mr. and Mrs. James Dunnigan of West Branch arrived Saturday and have the honor of being the first cottagers here. They are in their home on the East Bluff.

Eugene Arbib arrived Friday from Hollywood, Florida, and will spend the summer here, opening his gift shop later in May.