Looking Back
Compiled by Ryan Schlehuber

A mid-20th century scene at the head of Union Terminal Piers on Mackinac Island. Coal is piled high on the coal dock to the right. (Photograph courtesy of Greg Main)

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

April 4 to April 25, 1891

Captain McCarty of the Island left for Cheboygan Tuesday night, to fit out the steamer Faxton. He took with him a large crew of men, and intends making extensive repairs to the boat.

Good prospects of the Straits being open very soon.

The steamer Atlantic will leave Detroit on her first trip to Mackinac and way ports, Saturday, April 11, and the Flora the following Tuesday, April 14.

The ferry boats and tugs are all being ready for business. It sounds good to hear their whistles.

During the last two weeks S. Vilgeant sold $1,175 worth of pianos and organs to St. Ignace and Mackinac Island parties. He started out determined to do a $20,000 business this year, and his sales already aggregate in the neighborhood of $4,000, without any special effort, he will get there sure.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

April 6 to April 27, 1916

The first Chicago boat to arrive at this port last spring was the steamer Illinois, which reached here April 26. The D&C opened her season here with the steamer City of Mackinac, which arrived two days later, April 28.

Isn't it about time that Manager Dennis was calling for recruits and getting his ball team in shape for the season? St.

Ignace should get the county championship this year but in order to do so it will have to get a move-on as word comes from the Snows, Charles, Brevort, and Mackinac Island that strong teams are to be organized in all those places.

Robert Bailey returned from the Ferris Institute, Big Rapids, Saturday, where he completed a course in pharmacy.

Contractor Pat Doud has started work on the David Hogg residence on the West Bluff. The porch and roof are to have some much needed repairs together with several interior changes, installing of new baths, etc.

According to our genial townsman, Michael Doud, who is now in Cuba, we are to expect a banner season at the Island.

The election resulted in the election of Robert Benjamin for mayor; Andrew Chapman, clerk; Clarence Lachance, treasurer; Peter Early, supervisor; W.W. Smith, assessor; George Chambers and Frank Couchois, aldermen; Benoni Lachance, justice of the peace; and Clement Belonga and Theodore Hammond, constables.

A crew of men under the supervision of George Lapine have commenced work on the Arnold coal dock. They have been engaged in driving pilings and other needed repairs.

The work on the Mackinac Island golf course was resumed again on Monday. They were obliged to stop work, however, owing to the fact of the ground being frozen too much to accomplish anything as yet.

The Michigan historical commission has announced its intention of copying for public use the fur trade papers, which are now prescribed at Mackinac Island in the Astor house, headquarters of the Astor fur trading company, in the days when Mackinac Island was the center of the fur trade in this section. These records consist of two volumes of letter-books, five volumes of ledgers, and other account books.

50 Years Ago The Republican News and St.

Ignace Enterprise

April 5 to April 26, 1956

Three vessels of the Michigan state ferry fleet here are ready to relieve the lone winter ship, Vacationland, as soon as ice conditions permit, it was learned this week.

Mary G. Franks was elected a member of the city council in Monday's election to become the first lady to sit with the aldermen in Island history.

As far as transportation is concerned, spring came to Mackinac Island Friday afternoon, when the motor vessel Huron carried 85 passengers to St. Ignace at 5 p.m. She docked at State Dock No. 1 in St. Ignace, where a coast guard ship had cut away heavy ice.

State police and Mackinac Island officials, under the direction of Commander Mixson of the Coast Guard, were conducting a search for the body of a 53year-old Mackinac Island man yesterday. He was believed drowned after his light outboard motor-powered boat sank when cut by skim ice Wednesday morning. The body was recovered Thursday morning, with the assistance of the helicopter from Kinross Air Force Base.

The long dream of construction of a heavy duty water line for fire protection and sanitation at Harrisonville is now a certainty. Information to the effect that the Michigan legislature has appropriated state funds for the extension of the water main was received by August Fisher this week from W.F. Doyle, former park commissioner at Mackinac Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Myron Bloomfield have arrived from Weatherford, Texas, where they spent the past winter and have Mary's Pantry open for the season.

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Shayne and Mrs. Mary Zimmer arrived Friday from Scottsdale, Arizona, and are busy preparing the Chippewa Hotel for the opening.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

April 1 to April 29, 1971

Mrs. Anna "Grandma" Rodin, born March 24, 1871 in Varmland, Sweden, turned 100 years old and was an honored guest at an open house marking her special day. The open house was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Doud.

Over 100 people attended the most recent community-school event, a hot lunch benefit held at the Great Hall of Mackinac College. Featured on the evening of the first day of spring was the outstanding piano "duologue" of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hadden in "To Arch Rock and Bach." The Haddens donated their talents to the school benefit. They have since left their Island home for a concert tour of cities in the Midwest.

The Cathedral of Tomorrow has purchased Mackinac College, a $17 million educational facility on Mackinac Island, and will operate it as the Rex Humbard Center for Christian Development. Purchase price was undisclosed. The school, with its 32-acre campus along the shore of Lake Huron, is said to be one of the most beautiful and best equipped small colleges in the country.

The Grand Hotel have a work crew in and their spring Twilight Inn has opened to house the Grand crew. Mrs. Irene King came on from Miami, Florida and opened the Twilight so Mackinac is awakening and soon our tourist season will be upon us.

10 Years Ago

Mackinac Island Town Crier

April 4 to April May 17, 1996

Cloghaun owner Kitty Bond, a former Detroit teacher, passed away Monday, March 25 at age 81.

Mackinac Island's old Astor Warehouse, headquarters for

John Jacob's fur trading business on Market Street, is being restored. The old landmark, built by the American Fur Company in 1810, was stripped of all but is hand-hewn timber frame. The building will be restored more closely to its original appearance.

Bill Smith, a resident of Mackinac Island who had a passion for flying, died April 19 when the Cessna plane he was flying crashed into the waters of Lake Huron during the foggy morning.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Mackinac Island Town Crier is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into its 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 Mackinac Island Town Crier.