Looking Back

Mackinac Island Fire Department's steam engine, pulled by a team of horses, has traditionally been one of the many features in the annul Lilac Festival Parade. It was restored by Jack Wellington of Sault Ste. Marie and it is now owned by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. It is on display at the company's Surrey Hills Museum. Until the mid-19th century, most fire engines were manoeuvred by men, but the introduction of horse-drawn fire engines considerably improved the response time to incidents. The first self-propelled steam engine was built in New York in 1841. (Photograph courtesy of Greg Main)

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, June 13, 1891

R.P. Foley of Mackinac was in St. Ignace yesterday.

Born At Mackinac Island, Mich., June 2, 1891, to R.P. Foley and wife, a 9.5-pound daughter. Congratulations.

John Dickinson, of Mackinac, gave an excursion to the Snows on Thursday per steamer Chas. West to a number of his friends.

Foley Bros. are reaching out for a big trade at Mackinac Island this season and we hope they will not be disappointed. In addition to their old stand at the corner of Fort and Main streets, they will open stores at the corner of Main and Market streets and the Grand Hotel. All three stores will be stocked with the finest goods to be found and sold at reasonable prices. Their art gallery will also be in full blast, as in former years. We wish them success.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 15, 1916

Steamer Charles Price, which was lost in the great storm of November 8-11, 1913, and is on the bottom11 miles north of Port Huron, was in a collision, according to reports made by the divers who have examined the wrecked boat. The examination was not thorough, but the divers are satisfied that the Price was rammed by another steamer. That probably means that there is another wreck close to where the Price went down.

Notwithstanding the objectionable weather that has been prevalent throughout the country, the old timers who make it a point to spend their summers in the lake region are getting the fever and a number have already arrived at the resorts. Mackinac Island reports quite a few of these now on the ground, as does also Brevort Lake, while St. Ignace is getting her share. With favorable weather conditions the predictions of many that this will be the banner summer for the great lakes resorts promises to come true.

The Enterprise extends its congratulations to Postmaster McCarty of Mackinac Island, who will become a presidential postmaster July 1st with an increase in salary.

Taylor's orchestra furnished the music for a dancing party given at the Astor House, Mackinac Island, Monday night, the music being pronounced fine by the attendants. The orchestra was assisted by Mr. Shomin and a trap drummer from Chicago.

Wm. Moody and a crew of men from Cheboygan are making extensive repairs to the Grand Hotel.

The Newronic arrived Tuesday afternoon with six hundred and fifty automobile engineers from all parts of the world.

The splendid collection of Indian and pioneer relics which Honorable Edwin O. Wood has been gathering for many years, reputed as the largest and most complete private collection in America, has been donated to the Museum at Mackinac Island Park, and will hereafter be treasured by the state under the title of "The Edwin O. Wood Collection." Superintendent Kenyon of Mackinac Island personally supervised at the home of Mr. Wood in Flint the packing and shipping of this great gift.

The addition to the Museum on this fairy isle will be greatly enjoyed by the numerous summer pilgrims each year. The collection is so valuable that no price can be set upon it. It cannot be duplicated. Mr. Wood has ever been noted for his public benefactors. This generous offering to the state will be prized more and more as time goes on, and remain a monument to one of Michigan's first citizens.

50 Years Ago The Republican News and

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 14, 1956

Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. Abbey and son arrived from East Lansing to spend the summer operating the Abbey's Sport Shop.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chambers arrived Friday from Hollywood, Florida. The Chambers will reopen the Orpheum theatre in the near future.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 17, 1971

Mrs. John Bur of Cheboygan and Mrs. Cecelia Flanagan of Mackinac Island were delegated to the Daughters of Isabella Convention at Grand Hotel.

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.