10 Years Ago • May 28, 2001
The U.S. Forest Service conducted its first prescribed burn of the year in an area between the Gunflint Trail and Round Lake Road on May 16. Twenty-eight Forest Service personnel were assigned to the fire, which was started by hand and not helitorch, as are the largest planned burns. This is the first in what is hoped to be many prescribed burns in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area this year. It is expected to take five more years to complete the clean-up from the July 4, 1999 blowdown, some by mechanical means but most through planned burns.
The request was no surprise, even though not on the agenda for the May 21 school board meeting. The Birch Grove Foundation board wrote a letter to the Cook County School District board asking them to sponsor the West End school as the Birch Grove charter school. The district has 90 days in which to respond.
20 Years Ago • May 27, 1991
The Fraser Lake fire, which started and burned 150 acres on May 20, was reported to have died down and was only smoldering by the 22nd. Total burned area was about 155 acres.
The first show of local artists in the new Johnson Heritage Post art gallery, which opened a week ago, will continue through June 6. The show, in the east wing of the gallery, features the work of students at the county elementary schools, done under the supervision of a number of local artists. The west wing of the gallery contains a permanent collection of the work of Anna C. Johnson, for whom the building is named.
A few bear have been seen on the South Brule Road but to sight a moose has become a rarity. The ticks have taken their toll.
50 Years Ago • May 25, 1961
A “heat wave” hit Grand Marais and the rest of the county yesterday when temperatures reached 75 and 80 at some points. It was an unusually hot day for this time — or any time – of year. By evening the lake had gotten things back to normal.
As a buttress against future northeasters, a 400-foot retaining wall is being constructed on the east harbor front for the Wisconsin-Minnesota Timber Co. The former wall was destroyed in the storm that raged Nov. 28 of last year. At that time much pulpwood was washed into the lake, some of it pushed back into Grand Marais streets. (See Historical Reflections on page A7)
Meantime, pulploading activities have resumed at the local harbor. The first barge which left the harbor with a load of pulp last weekend was The Maitland I, loaded with spruce and balsam.
The second-grade pupils of Lutsen and Tofte enjoyed a trip to Duluth. They rode the escalator in the First American National Bank building, visited the fire station and zoo, and rode the train between Duluth and Superior.
90 Years Ago • May 26, 1921
The Grand Marais State Bank has a new clock. It is suspended in air and has no visible means of making it run. However, it keeps time, and its propelling power is a conundrum to the public. The clock is mentioned in their ad this week.
The ball game was called off last Sunday because so many of the players were out fighting fire.
Martin Jacobsen of Hovland is sawing wood with his wood-sawing machine for the people in his neighborhood.
Sam Bally, who has been laid up with a lame back for the past week due to a fall, is now able to be at work again.
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