Looking Back

Workers begin tearing down Ste. Anne's Catholic Church, built in the 1820s, to clear the way for a new church. The first Ste. Anne's was moved by the British with Fort Michilimackinac when they transferred the garrison from the mainland to Mackinac during the American Revolution. The third and present church was completed in 1875.

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, June 20, 1891

The local fish bill has been shorn of its local option features and has passed the house. The bill now absolutely prohibits the catching of fish in the inland lakes in any manner except with a hook and line.

America has the reputation of being the country most eager to make money, most ready to spend it - judiciously or otherwise. America is young yet and has the faults of youth, chief among which is that of prodigality. Rich in luxuries and rich in opportunities, it remains to be seen whether she will have the wisdom to command and control them, or whether she will become the victim of her own unparalleled advantages.

The people of this country use three times as much writing paper as those of any other nation, in proportion to their number.

Commencing with the new schedule of the Chicago & West Michigan and Detroit, Lansing & Northern in effect June 21st, the line of steamers between Traverse City and Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island, and St. Ignace will commence operations. The steamers on this line this season will be the well and favorably known City of Grand Rapids and Gazelle. They will leave Traverse City at 7 a.m. every day except Sunday, upon arrival of the C. & W. M. passenger train, which leaves Grand

Rapids at 11:30 p.m., landing passengers immediately at the boat dock. Northport is reached at 9:20 a.m., Charlevoix at 11:30 a.m., Petoskey at 1:30 p.m., Harbor Springs at 2 p.m., Mackinac Island at 7:15 p.m., and St. Ignace at 8 p.m., in time for connection with the D.S.S. & A. Ry. for Marquette and points beyond. - Geo. DeHaven, General Passenger Agent.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 22, 1916

The national guard in every state in the union has been called out in anticipation of war with Mexico. The Michigan state troops will mobilize at Grayling and are expected to arrive there Friday. General Funston has asked that 65,000 members of the guard be rushed to him at once for patrol duty on the border and these will be sent. Mexican troops are said to have been mobilized and are already moving toward the border. The situation is tense but the government is prepared for all emergencies.

Colonel William P. Preston, one of Mackinac Island's most prominent and most beloved and honored citizens, passed away at 10 o'clock Monday morning of liver trouble after a long illness. He served four years in the Fourth Delaware Volunteers, taking part in most of the great battles of the Army of the Potomac. He was at Appomattox when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General U.S. Grant. At the close of the war he enlisted in the Regular Army and served as 1st Sergeant of Company B, 43rd U.S. Infantry, and was mustered out at Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, where he resided until called by death. He was president of the village of Mackinac, and mayor of the City of Mackinac Island for 17 years. In 1894-95, Col. Preston was

appointed an Aide de Camp upon the staff of the National Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The funeral was held from the family home Wednesday afternoon and was one of the largest ever held on the Island. People from all over the state came to pay their respects to the dead.

The South Shore is doing a big passenger business these days, due to so many laboring men traveling, it is said. During May there was an increase of 1,665 passengers crossing the straits in comparison with May, 1915.

50 Years Ago The Republican News and

St. Ignace Enterprise Thursday, June 21, 1956 Mrs. G. Mennen Williams and children arrived Thursday from Lansing and are at the Governor's home at Fort Mackinac for the summer.

Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Sommer and son arrived Saturday from Ann Arbor. Dr. Sommer will open his dental offices in the Alford Drug Store building in the near future.

Local building has been in progress these past two weeks. The C.J. Alfords are having a Cape Cod home built on their lot on Lake Shore drive. Building of the new Mackinac Island Health Center will start this week. The city's bulldozer has excavated for the basement in the medical center and Mackinac's long looked and hoped for dream will soon be a reality.

Interest was high pitched when announcement was made that Judy Dufina had been selected as Lilac Queen. The queen's attendants were Pat Francis, Anna Joyce Andress, Judy St. Onge, and Kay Francis.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, June 24, 1971

Mr. Michael Early of Mackinac Island generously offered his property at British Landing to the Boy Scout Troop 127 and Scout Committeeman.

10 Years Ago

Mackinac Island

Town Crier

June 15 to June 21, 1996 Erica passed the Lilac

Queen's honor to Peggy Bynoe by crowning her during the Lilac Festival opening ceremony at Marquette Park Friday, June 7.

A little refurbishing here, some paint there, and the $3 million-plus renovation of the Chippewa Hotel will finally be completed.

A 28-year-old Sheperd man was arrested Tuesday, June 11, on Mackinac Island for driving under the influence of alcohol in a golf cart and driving a vehicle without a permit.

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 Town Crier or The St. Ignace News.