10 Years Ago
May 31, 2002
The Gunflint Trail Association, made up of 23 lodges and outfitters, has leased space in the former Almost Home Appliance and Sales building, and will establish a visitor information center in the space. Java Moose coffee shop will occupy half of the building, which will be open seven days a week.
Spring has finally arrived and although we got off to a slow start, tree planting is under way throughout the county. The Grand Marais area DNR Forestry staff had 130 acres of planting to do in Cook County this spring. Approximately 93,000 conifers were planted on three different sites. The predominant species are red pine, white pine and white spruce.
20 Years Ago
June 1, 1992
Plans for a $100,000 construction expansion project of the Voyageur’s Marina at Grand Portage were outlined for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet will be mandatory for the project. Kathy Melby, co-owner of the marina along with her brother, said they plan to start as soon as all necessary permits are received. She said there is a strong demand for moorage space at Grand Portage.
Eleven members of Cook County boys’ and girls’ track teams qualified in sub-regional action to advance to regional competition in 15 different events. The regional meet took place last Saturday. Top finishers will qualify for state competition next weekend.
At Okontoe, the wind blew a tree across the electric line which in turn started a fire. Word went out to the neighbors, and pumps, hoses and volunteers arrived in short order. By the time those farthest away arrived with the equipment, the tree had been cut free of the severed line and the fire extinguished.
50 Years Ago
May 31, 1962
B.F. Borgel, works manager of Erie Mining Company, is slated to give the main address at commencement exercises at the Grand Marais High School tomorrow night. Forty-four seniors will wear the traditional caps and gowns and will receive their diplomas.
Mike Denham shot a lynx in the Tofte area recently, and officials told him it was the first one to be turned in from there, although about half a dozen have been turned in during the month. Mike’s weighed about 50 pounds. The county pays a bounty on lynx.
Seawall Motel, owned by Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Gilchrist for the past 16 years (originally the Hans Toftey property) was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Vern Linnell. The Linnells took possession last week. The sale includes the large house facing the harbor on Highway 61 and all the motel units.
90 Years Ago
June 1, 1922
Grand Marais joined the rest of the United States in observing Memorial Day Tuesday. The parade of school children formed at the school house and marched to the courthouse, preceded by automobiles carrying veterans of three wars. The little girls carried flowers which were placed at the foot of a cross, emblematic of the graves of the fallen heroes. It was all very impressive.
Al Arneson and E.L. Ogilvie of Duluth will build summer cottages and a hotel at Cascade, having bought 20 acres there from F.D. McMillan of Minneapolis.
P.J. Bayle, the district forest ranger here, has acquired some new firefighting equipment in the form of tree sprayers. Bayle said he got the idea at the state fair last year, when the sprayers were used to protect trees on exhibit from the heat. The men are very enthusiastic about the new equipment. “One sprayer full of water does as much good as 20 pails,” said one firefighter. “They make you feel like a real fireman.”
Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with the 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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