Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane




10 Years Ago · Oc t. 29, 2001

Firefighters from Poplar Lake and Sea Gull Lake watched helplessly as a fire tore through the Gunflint Trail fire hall on Gunflint Lake Monday night. All of the gear that they needed to fight the fire with was stored inside the building. The fire started in or near the ambulance about 6:45 p.m. Lost in the blaze was a pumper truck, ambulance and all of the other equipment stored inside. The loss was estimated at $250,000 to $300,000.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners and the North Shore Hospital Board agreed last Tuesday to pursue special legislation that will allow the Grand Marais facility to continue its status as a district hospital. The North Shore Hospital has been operating as a district hospital since 1990, when voters approved a referendum creating the district. The problem arose earlier this year when state lawmakers, attempting to wipe a number of useless and outdated statutes off the books, deleted the one that governed the Cook County hospital. The North Shore Hospital was the only hospital left in the state that was operating under the statute, and as a result lost its status.

20 Years Ago · Oc t. 28, 1991

The board of commissioners decided not to support a proposal by the Lake County commissioners calling for the Department of Natural Resources to prohibit the artificial feeding of deer on the south side of Highway 61. The Lake County commissioners, citing the high number of deer-vehicle accidents on the highway and the resulting loss of wildlife and vehicles in the accidents, called for a feeding ban as a way of reducing the toll. In declining to support the ban, Cook County’s commissioners said there weren’t enough facts out there. The DNR does not have the authority to ban the feeding of deer on the south side of the highway; special action of the state Legislature would be required.

Justine Kerfoot of Gunflint Lodge has received the prestigious Pioneer Award from the Minnesota Resort Association at its annual fall conference in St. Cloud. Kerfoot, 84, is only the second resorter to receive the award, which honors people who have made a significant contribution toward the resorting industry. Kerfoot has spent 64 years in the resorting business.

50 Years Ago · Oc t. 26, 1961

This week Cook County School District completed the purchase of the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church building, now known as “South High,” which is located two blocks south of Cook County High School. The school had been renting this building for the past school year, and this year decided to purchase it. The total cost was $6,500, with the rent paid for the first year deducted. The building is needed for classroom space to take care of the overcrowding in the high school.

The unusually beautiful rainbow yesterday afternoon was mentioned by Mrs. Norman Howard. The complete semi-circle was visible for a short time at 4 o’clock as it arched the village. Did anyone have a camera ready?

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Connor of Little Marais mailed a card from Kansas City, where they took in the horse show. Mr. Connor writes: “This is some city, believe me!”

90 Years Ago · Nov. 3, 1921

Notice is hereby given that the old West School House, Colvill, will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash on Saturday, Nov. 5, 1921 at 2 p.m. at the West School House.

The steamer America ran on the rocks just outside of the Grand Marais harbor Monday night and was stuck for about four hours. The steamer Hazel came to the rescue at 1:30 and succeeded in pulling her clear.

Nels Hulten of Rosebush lost his home by fire Tuesday. After cooking some coffee in the afternoon, Mr. Hulten went to Peter Anderson’s place and was urged to spend the night. At 8 o’clock Ray Sjoberg and Vern Skoog came there and notified him that his house had burned. He lost all of his belongings, including 50 dollars in currency. His wallet was usually in his pocket, but this time he left it at home.

William Clinch, accompanied by Miss Clinch and Aug Lindskog, returned from Duluth Saturday where they attended the potato show.

Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with Cook County News-Herald readers? We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections. Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.



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