From the steps of the courthouse at the 100th anniversary celebration on September 21, County Commissioner Jim Johnson recalled memories of the building and grounds from his childhood growing up several blocks away.
A lot of official business has taken place at the Cook County Courthouse in the 100 years since it was built, but a lot of official fun took place there on September 21, 2012 to celebrate its 100th birthday.
Bubbles floated across the courthouse lawn while families challenged each other to potato sack races and kids picked up bandanas, finger flashlights, and pencils in red, white, and blue. The Grand Marais Lions, many who were former county officials or children of county officials, served hot dogs to visitors outside the courthouse while Girl Scouts served ice cream treats to visitors touring the inside of the building.
A brief ceremony was held in the afternoon, with several people speaking, including Judge Mike Cuzzo. He said his assignment at the Cook County Courthouse is the envy of his fellow northern Minnesota judges.
County Commissioner Jim Johnson recalled not being allowed to run around on the courthouse lawn as a kid because it was such a special place.
Former commissioner Gene Erickson applauded Cook County Historical Society Museum Director Carrie McHugh for her initiative in organizing this event. He said the longest serving county commissioner made it through many a meeting with the help of a bottle of his favorite liquor.
Several courthouse employees and community volunteers helped bury a metal time capsule, welded shut, in the grass beside the east corner of the courthouse steps. It contains many things donated by community members, including a Forever stamp, a Fisherman’s Picnic button, a cell phone, a menu from Blue Water Café, the September 15, 2012 edition of the Cook County News-Herald, a Cook County Courthouse 100th anniversary mug, predictions for the years 2062 and 2112 from Cook County 10th graders and 3rd graders, a Smokey Bear doll, and a rubber ducky, among many other treasures. It will be opened in 50 or 100 years – no one had quite decided yet.
Left: Violence Prevention Center board member Judy Siegle presents to Judge Mike Cuzzo a Peace Fibres scarf created earlier that day by a group of community members to promote the cause of peace. It was made with 100 strands of fibre in honor of the courthouse’s anniversary. Above: Cook County Historical Center Museum Director Carrie McHugh and Grand Marais Lion Gene Erickson, a former county commissioner, reflect on Cook County history.
A time capsule was buried after the anniversary ceremony on September 21. It holds a lot of documents, photos, and memorabilia that will hopefully give citizens 50 or 100 years down the road a taste of life in 2012.
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