Lookiing Baacck

Damage can be seen on the port side of the Michigan State Ferry City of Saint Ignace, caused by a collision with another state ferry, City of Cheboygan, during a foggy day in 1939. The City of Saint Ignace was purchased by the State Highway Department in 1924. It was 180 feet in length and could carry up to 40 cars. (Photographs courtesy of Ralph Dolsen)

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, July 4, 1891

Rev. E.B. Moody of Detroit, who is spending a few weeks in St. Ignace, will preach in Fenton's Hall, Mackinac Island next Sunday morning and evening at the usual hours. Quite a number of resorters are already at the Island.

The steamer North Star, Capt. James McCarty master, commenced running on the Island route last Wednesday and carries the U.S. mail. She is a handsome and very comfortable craft and will no doubt become very popular with citizens in first class style, has two cozy cabins, and everything about her is as bright and clean as a new pin. She will make four round trips daily and solicits public patronage. Give her a trial.

State ferry City of Cheboygan's bow was punctured when it hit the City of Saint Ignace broadside. The City of Cheboygan was introduced to the Michigan State Ferry fleet in 1937. It had a capacity of 85 vehicles.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 6, 1916

From present indications, northern Michigan resorts will enjoy a banner season this year. For the past ten days the passenger traffic this way has been increasing by leaps and bounds, and every train and boat headed north has been bringing big crowds.

Mrs. Hetty Green, wealthiest woman in the world, died Monday in New York at the age of 80 years. Her wealth is estimated at between $20,000,000 and $100,000,000.

That no teacher's certificate may be granted to any person who is without experience unless he, or she, has had at least six weeks work in professional training in a state normal school is one of the principal provisions of a law which went into effect last Saturday.

Dr. H.S. Bailey of Ann Arbor arrived at the Island Monday and has reopened his dental parlors over Bailey's drug store.

James Doud Jr. has accepted a position as watchman on the steamer Chippewa, which made its first trip to the Soo Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. James Turner and family of Detroit arrived Saturday and are again occupying their beautiful cottage at the Fort.

Among the hotels which opened July 1st are the Grand, the New Mackinac, the Chippewa, and the Island House. The popular hotel, the New Murray, has been opened for some time. All of the cottages are open and many summer guests have already arrived.

50 Years Ago The Republican News and St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 5, 1956

Dr. and Mrs. J. Davidson and daughters arrived Thursday from Brown City. Dr. Davidson is the local veterinarian for the summer and they are at home at Fort Mackinac.

Mrs. Hugh Rudolph of Mackinac Island will be the flying partner of Mrs. Phil Hart in the "Powder Puff" airplane derby this weekend.

Erection of the cable spinning equipment on the anchorages of the world's largest suspension bridge, the Mackinac Bridge, is being rushed during daylight hours so that spinning of the two giant main cables can be started early in July. The two suspension cables will have a finished diameter of approximately 24.5 inches.

The steel strike "will have no immediate effect" on construction of the $100 million Mackinac Bridge, according to the Mackinac Bridge Authority. It was learned, however, that some work on the bridge might be halted if the steel strike continues longer than six weeks.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News & St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, July 8, 1971

The G. Mennen Williams of Grosse Pointe Farms spent the weekend at their summer home on the West Bluff.

The Richard Haddens have returned to their Cedar Point home from a two-week concert tour of Kentucky and Arkansas, which included a special duopiano concert for the 150th anniversary of the City of Little Rock, and a guest appearance on Mary Connell's "Eye on Arkansas" Show over CBSKTHV TV.

The Rex Humbard's Center opened July 3. The center will be used for a vacation center for the summer with groups remaining for a week at intervals from July 3 to September 9.

Mackinac Island's Fourth of July tourist traffic was one of the largest the Island has experienced. The weather dawned beautifully with plenty of sun and all transportation accommodations were put to the full usage.

10 Years Ago Mackinac Island Town Crier

June 29 to July 5, 1996

To get 9-1-1 service, Mackinac Island will have to accept a change that it has been resisting for years - name streets and number houses.

It took 45 years, but the name "John St. Onge" was finally added to the war memorial outside the Mackinac County Courthouse on Wednesday, June 19. St. Onge, who was born on Mackinac Island, was a U.S. Air Force Airborne Ranger killed in the Korean conflict on October 28, 1951. St. Onge enlisted in Detroit, and for unknown reasons Air Force records did not list his home address. Family

members tried unsuccessfully for many years to have him identified as a Mackinac County native. It was not [accomplished] until a letter was found by Francis St. Onge, confirming St. Onge's origins.