10 Years Ago
Aug. 30, 2002
A 100-acre purchase announced this week by The Nature Conservancy of Minnesota means that all the land along the scenic and historic Pigeon River, which serves as a 90-mile stretch of the U.S.- Canada border before spilling into Lake Superior, will be protected for future generations. The land purchase, which will become the Conservancy’s Pigeon River Cliffs Preserve, includes approximately one mile of river frontage on the U.S. side, where the river begins at South Fowl Lake. The parcel includes a portion of the border as well.
Robin and Mark Johnson are the new owners of Johnson’s Foods in Grand Marais. The store, which has been in the Johnson family for three generations, was sold by Jim Johnson and Ralph Larsen.
20 Years Ago
Aug. 31, 1992
In a major move to strengthen and support the annual Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, the Grand Portage Tribal Council has agreed to become primary sponsor of the event. The famous race will be promoted this year as “The Grand Portage Chippewa present the 10th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.” In return for the publicity, the tribal council will pay the $50,000 purse plus race week expenses.
After last year’s I-500 longdistance snowmobile race from White Bear Lake to Thunder Bay, there was considerable doubt that the race would ever use the North Shore route again. But last week, the I-500 board voted to approve a route for the 1993 event that would take the race from White Bear Lake to Brainerd to Duluth to Grand Marais and on to Thunder Bay in four days. The new course covers nearly 600 miles.
50 Years Ago
Aug. 30, 1962
Kenneth Smith, 72, former promoter and real estate man on the North Shore, died as he slept early Tuesday morning at his Minneapolis home. Mr. Smith liked to be called “Mr. North Shore” because of his association with this area.
For the first time in 34 years, the school bus will not stop at the Martin Bockovich farm on Good Harbor Hill next Tuesday. The youngest child, Florence, graduated last spring. But it will stop just across the road to pick up a grandchild, Rhonda Bockovich, who will start kindergarten this year. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bockovich. So in a way, the long-time tradition is being carried on.
Jack McLean, employee of the Wisconsin-Minnesota Timber Co. received a deep cut from a chain saw in his right leg last Thursday as he was sawing down a tree. The injured man lost considerable blood before two other workers were able to stop the flow. He is in the local hospital.
90 Years Ago
Aug. 31, 1922
Elwood Johnson has installed a radio receiving set which is working satisfactorily.
John Marshall of Grand Marais was brought into the village last Friday sick. He was found lying on the floor of his cabin in an unconscious condition. He was sent to a Duluth hospital Monday, but he has been ailing for the past year and his vitality is low.
Alex McLennan, a pioneer resident of Duluth, and T.O. Furlund, also of Duluth, and their wives have been guests at the H.O. Engelson resort at Tofte for the past week. They visited Grand Marais Saturday and Mr. McLennan told of the old days when he came to Duluth, then a small village.
Miss Sophie Sjoberg will teach at Tofte again this year.
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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