Looking Back

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, August 20, 1892

Bridge building, a grand old art, has been revolutionized, as have so many other industries, and no doubt, in a general sense, to its betterment. But the first consideration in all such work must be safety to human life. Assurance in this regard must be doubly sure. The penalty exacted is heavy, and is sometimes paid by those who plan as well as those who execute.

The force bill hangs about the neck of the Republican Presidential candidate like a millstone.

The nomination of Mr. Cleveland will have the effect of placing the tariff buzzards at bay.

An old time cake walk was given by the foreign staff of Mackinac Island, at Soldier's Hall last Thursday evening.

The strs. City of Alpena and City of Mackinac, which were sold recently to a Cleveland syndicate, will run between Buffalo and Cleveland after this season.

There is a report going around that there is a large hotel to be built at Graham's Point soon. It is a good site for hotel, commanding a fine view of the straits. St. Ignace will soon be up with Mackinac as a summer resort.

Capt. Boynton and James Keightley, who purchased the steamer Riverside for Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace route, are under a four-year contract with the M.C., G.R.&I., and D.S.S.&A. railroad. - Cheboygan News

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 23, 1917

Patrol boat No. S.P. 382 anchored in the harbor this week.

Miss Jane Allard of Chicago is the guest of Mrs. Patrick Doud.

A bridge party will be given Saturday evening at the Island House casino for a benefit to be used in painting the Episcopal church. Mrs. J. Lewis Cochran will have charge.

Frank Kenyon of Mackinac Island was in town Tuesday. Mr. Kenyon is State Park Commissioner, and while here, let the contract to Wm. Van Helen for building new tables and for other work to improve the State Park at this place - Levering Local

50 Years Ago The Republican-News & St.

Ignace Enterprise Thursday, August 22, 1957

Since August, Michigan's state ferry fleet at the Straits of Mackinac has been heavily taxed to afford passage for the thousands of tourists flocking to and from the upper peninsula. Last Saturday, the fleet carried 9,279 motor vehicles with heavy traffic both ways. The line at Mackinaw City was two miles long off the docks, while at St. Ignace the back-up reached to the far end of the golf course on West US-2 for hours at a time.

Another successful benefit was the Bronze King and Queen ball at the Community hall, for the medical center and public health. Lucille Loundes of the cottage employees and Chris Roberts, also of the cottage employees, were named queen and king.

David Andress, son of Mrs. Gladys Andress, has concluded a furlough with his folks, returning to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. David is with the paratroopers.

Deward Perault, son of Mrs. Isabelle Pero, left for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Saturday. Deward enjoyed a week's furlough with his mother. He is with the paratroopers.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News & St.

Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 24, 1972

Pete Fisher of Chicago is visiting his brother and family, the John Fishers.

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Rogers and family are vacationing in Escanaba.

Very interesting visitors to the Island this week were Clark Moses, and daughter, Katherine Gabay of Hessel. Mr. Morse is from Columbus, Ohio. They visited James Cable and attended the Historical Banquet at Grand Hotel Saturday evening.

School bells will ring again Monday, August for the Mackinac Island Public School. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday school will be in session for the full time.

Casino Night will be held Friday, August 25th at Community Hall from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The proceeds going toward paying for a new roof for Ste. Anne's, these preparing for Casino Night are Loretta Brodeur, Kay Hoppenrath, Mary Dufina, and Judy Bynoe. So let's all try and make this a gala night with fun and money from the proceeds for the roof.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, August 20, 1992

The Mackinac Bridge, stretching five miles across the Straits of Mackinac, was dubbed by its builders the world's greatest span when it opened in 1957 - a mastery of man over nature, a work of vision, courage, determination, and faith. Now, 34 years old, the bridge has, indeed, been properly maintained: no paint is left to peel, no rust is left to spread, and no crack is left unsealed.

The outer lanes will be resurfaced for the first time and will be completed by 1994. Connie Case of Florida, swimming instructor for Grand Hotel, swam nine miles around the Island in three hours, 59 minutes.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into the 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 St. Ignace News.