Looking Back

A postcard, dated 1911, of Fort Mackinac's Post Cemetery. In 1907, after the state took control of the fort, the cemetery was refurbished and a cannon from Fort Sumter was mounted there. The last known burials in the Post Cemetery were in 1892. The stillborn daughter of Private Walter Wash of Fort Mackinac was interred in February and John Dunn, the son of Private Michael Dunn, was buried in September. His headstone is mismarked as an "unknown soldier," according to park records.

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, May 30, 1891

The Faxton gave a moonlight excursion from Mackinac Island Monday night, going as far as St. Helena. On her return trip she stopped in St. Ignace, and the Islanders, one and all, took in the dance at Mulcrone's hall. A pleasant evening was spent.

There is no excuse in these days of newspapers for any sane person of adult age getting victimized by green goods men, or pocket-book droppers, or sweaters, or card sharps, or sham beggars, or bogus reformers, or any other such frauds. Not to know of them is to be convicted of gross lack of information, for which there is no excuse.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 1, 1916

New machinery is knocking out the longshoremen which is proving local in effect. For instance, 2,400 tons is being shipped here from the Newberry furnace to be transferred to the steamer Cicoa for water shipment to its destination. The Cicoa was purchased last year by the Charcoal & Iron Co. and is equipped with three electric cranes. Each of these cranes has a powerful magnet with a lifting power of 1,500 pounds. The cranes are operated by the regular boat engineer from a dynamo in the engine room and the rest of the work is done by the deck hands. It is said that the ore can be loaded by this arrangement for one and three-quarters of a cent per ton.

Joe Smith, who has the Star route mail contract between St. Ignace and Epoufette, will use an auto on the route, for a portion of the time at least. The first trip with the auto was on Monday last, the time required to reach Epoufette being three hours, which included a number of stops and considerable time was consumed with business along the way. The return trip Tuesday morning was made in the same time. When horses are used, eight and nine hours is required to make the trip each way.

The season of navigation between Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island opens today. The steamer Algomah passed inspection at the Soo but has not arrived yet, and in the meantime, the steamer Islander of the Arnold line will make the Mackinac run.

Walter P. Hill, manager of the Island House, arrived Friday and is getting the hotel in readiness for summer business.

Captain J.M. Drake of Cleveland and The Isle of Pines arrived Thursday and has been the guest of Mr. George T. Arnold, returning to Cleveland on Monday.

The labor market on the Island is causing much worriment to contractors, every able-bodied man who so desires being employed, and more are wanted. Quite a large number could be used on the Hert job all summer. $2 a day is paid.

50 Years Ago The Republican News and St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, May 31, 1956

Reports from the Michigan state ferries yesterday noon indicated that Memorial Day traffic was very light and no line-ups had occurred as yet.

Dan Kostrezwa, St. Ignace state police trooper, was the principal speaker at the commencement exercises at Thomas W. Ferry school, Mackinac Island, last Sunday afternoon.

Appearing on the programs were C.P. Wellington, Lulubelle Bunker, Lawrence Parel, Pamela Pero, the 10th grade chorus, Leo. J. Pintal, Robert V. Doud, and the 5th and 6th grade chorus. Accompanist was Marilyn Pearson. The Rev. Father Joseph Ling pronounced the invocation and benediction.

Several hundred school children have visited the Island this spring, the North and South Americans bringing large crowds of youth cruisers. Several other schools in Michigan have visited the Island. Our weather has been far below normal. In fact, this past week we had below freezing temperatures, but we have hopes that warmer weather will be with us soon.

Opening of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island annually signals the formal opening of the summer season. The Grand is scheduled to open Friday, June 1, to entertain the first convention of the year at the Island, that of the National Electrical Contractors. The Grand will remain open until next September 25.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 3, 1971

Following the tradition of the seas variously observed by U.S. Flag ships since the founding of Memorial Day, the Mackinac Island Garden Club - for the 20th year under the direction of Miss Stella King, R.N. - and Arnold Line has been entrusted with the honor of depositing a memorial wreath upon the waters of the Straits of Mackinac in memory of the Great Lakes sailors and fishermen who have lost their lives while engaged in the pursuit of their duties.

Miss King's particular interest emanates from the fact that her father, Captain Frank King, spent a lifetime as a Great Lakes commercial fisherman (the last to make Mackinac Island a headquarter), and variously engaging on the Gloucester Banks during the winter seasons when ice prevented commercial fishing in the Straits waters.

10 Years Ago Mackinac Island Town Crier

June 1 to June 7, 1996

After spending the night isolated from civilization, members of Boy Scout Troop 323 were working busily Saturday morning, May 25, finishing preparations for the 100th birthday celebration of the Round Island Lighthouse.

Mackinac Island Public School planted a Flowering Crab Apple tree in remembrance of the late Bill Smith, who died in an airplane crash April 19.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The 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 Town Crier or The St. Ignace News offices.