10 Years Ago
Dec. 3, 2004
In light of new revelations from the state Department of Transportation concerning more delays on highway improvement projects in Cook County, the commissioners voted to shuffle their list of recommended priorities. The changes include moving the Onion River section from the second place to the top and dropping the section of highway through Lutsen from 1 to 2. Tofte remains third on the list. But it was also noted that the county’s recommendations are just that, and don’t necessarily carry any weight with the state.
Gordon Lindemann, formerly of Cook County, was recently inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Stars. “Gordie,” as he is known to all, received the honor at a Nov. 6 dinner at Harding. Graduating in 1938, Lindemann lettered in football and track, and was city champion in track, winning the 880-yard run.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 5, 1994
The Grand Marais city council voted 3-2 against granting a conditional use permit to Cook County for the expansion of the courthouse. The council’s denial of the permit forces the county to decide whether to appeal through the courts, reapply with alterations in their proposed plan, reapply and suggest conditions and guarantees, or abandon their proposed expansion plans.
Final figures for the 1994 deer hunt in the Arrowhead area reveal that the deer kill was down, but in some cases only because the number of antlerless permits were down. According to the DNR, Cook County was down 12 percent.
The power and ferocity of Lake Superior were displayed Sunday as 15-foot waves rolled into the East Bay. They also rolled into the East Bay Hotel and Restaurant, Senior Center, Superior North Outdoor Center and Bally’s Blacksmith Shop. Flood waters stood nearly two feet deep in the parking area between the Senior Center and Bally’s. The East Bay Hotel seemed to get the worst of it – the waves broke through the east wall of the restaurant, completely flooding it. The brand-new hotel addition was also damaged. Estimates of damages to businesses run well beyond $100,000, which doesn’t include the costs for lost business while clean-up and repair are under way.
50 Years Ago
Dec. 3, 1964
Grand Marais is beginning to take on a holiday appearance with Christmas decorations being put up. The project is being done by the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce. Facing frigid blasts from the north, volunteers worked in near-zero weather at various times during the past week to decorate light standards with green spruce boughs and colored lights. Wreaths of greens will be hung from the standards to complete the trim. Ten standards will be decorated.
The first to report that he has his house lighted for Christmas was John Spelman. He says he has a number of lights hung, arranged in such a way that the bird feeder is incorporated in the arrangement. This he hopes will also please the birds.
Thirty-one girls registered as Grand Marais Campfire Group No. 1 will receive their group charter and membership cards at their first ceremonial on Dec. 7. Mothers are invited for coffee and to see the ceremony of candle lighting, songs and charter presentation.
90 Years Ago
Dec. 11, 1924
Friday, Dec. 12, will mark the anniversary of the sinking of the old clipper schooner Stranger of Superior, which went down with her entire crew near Grand Marais on Dec. 12, 1875. The trim and staunch schooner was built at Toledo, Ohio, and was about 60 feet over all. At the time there was no communication from Grand Marais by telegraph or phone, and it was over a week after the wreck before word was received in Superior. It was a heart-rending blow to the four families and the community in general. The four young men lost were from 18 to 30 years old, unmarried and unusually competent and popular.
Martin Jacobson, Andrew Westerlind, Mons Hanson and Andrew Myhr of Hovland met with the county board Tuesday in regard to keeping the road open to Hovland this winter.
John Erickson and C.J. Symons of Duluth were in town this week buying fur for the Hudson Bay Company. They report a very sharp demand for fur this winter.
Ole J. Allen, who has been doing carpenter work on Maple Hill for the past several months, is home this week to do his fall butchering.
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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