Looking Back
Compiled by Ryan Schlehuber

The Horn family is one the oldest on Mackinac Island. Here, Edward Horn (center), who, at one time, owned Horn’s Gaslight Bar and the former Ty’s Restaurant (where Sinclair’s Irish Pub is now), is holding one of his two sons, Archie. His other son was Amos. In the back is Mr. Horn’s wife, Violet. Mr. Horn served in the Life Saving Service on the Island, which later would be called the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard station was transferred off the Island to St. Ignace in 1969. (Photograph courtesy of Candy Smith)

115 Years Ago

Saturday, August 16, 1890

The game of ball at the Island last Monday between the Cheboygan Diamonds and the Fort club resulted in a crushing defeat to visitors. Score, 22 to 11.

The entertainment, to be given at the Casino of the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, under the auspices of the St. Ignace local W.C.T.U., with Cora Leona, the child elocutionist, as the central attraction, has been postponed until some night next week.

90 Years Ago

Thursday, August 19, 1915

City Treasurer’s Statement –– Cash on hand August 1, 1915, $4,281.08.

The Misses Dunn, daughters of Governor Dunn, are guests of Colonel and Mrs. Henry Davis at their beautiful summer home at the Annex.

The exercises in connection with the unveiling of the Cass memorial will be held Saturday, August 28. Governor Ferris will surely be present and other noted speakers will be in attendance.

50 Years Ago

Thursday, August 18, 1955

No opening date for Thomas Ferry school at Mackinac Island was listed, but County Superintendent of Schools Norman Wixson said the following staff has been obtained: Leo Pintal, superintendent; C.P. Wellington, principal; Phyllis Kaempher, Patricia Squire, and John Dunn.

Earle C. Anthony, owner of radio station KFI, Los Angeles, California, enjoyed three days on vacation at Grand Hotel last week. Mr. Anthony returned here to enjoy reviewing the scenes of his youth, when he spent many summers here.

The Anthonys first owned the Windermere Hotel as a summer home, selling it to Patrick Doud. They moved around Lake Shore road to the home now owned by W.S. Woodfill.

Mr. Anthony is 75 years old and his arrival here brought back old memories of days gone by. While here he donated wreaths for the Catholic and Protestant cemeteries in memory of old and departed friends. The Island was happy to welcome Mr. Anthony back “home.”

35 Years Ago

Thursday, August 20, 1970

Crew members of the Chippewa rescued a family of four persons Sunday afternoon after their 17-foot outboard started taking water and floundered in the four foot seas a mile west of Mackinac Island. Capt. Jim Brown reported he sighted the family waving in distress when he was making his “1630 run to St. Ignace.” He immediately called the Coast Guard in St. Ignace and then took the Chippewa the half mile over to the sinking outboard. Alert crew members making the dramatic rescue were Joe Matelski, Tim Harrington, and Norm Casey, the ship’s engineer.

Mary Ravenscroft left Thursday for Guam, where she has accepted a two-year teaching contract. Mary spent the past 10 years teaching in the Mackinac Island Public school, and her host of friends wish her good luck in her new assignment.

10 Years Ago

August 12 - August 18, 1995

Mackinac Island Planning Commission voted 5-3-1 before a standing-room-only audience to recommend that the minimum rental period for residences be set at 30 days. The action will force home and apartment owners to quit daily and weekly rentals to tourists.

One hundred bottles of beer off the wall later, Stacy Jankowski recently became the first member of the Dockside Bar & Grill’s Beer Club. The 23-year-old line cook’s slow but steady, summer-long quaffing of porters, ales, and stouts underscores a trend among 21- to 30-year-olds. John Armstrong, manager of the Dockside, has capitalized on the fad. Business, he said, is up 60 percent over the last year because of the restaurant’s new beer program, which offers 136 varieties.

Doud column –– We have a mounted police officer in town. He is Michigan State Trooper Mike Powell, who can be seen policing the Island astride his horse, “Lucky.”