10 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 2008
A fire at the historic Hungry Jack Lodge on March 26 gutted the main building despite all the efforts of the Gunflint Volunteer Fire Department. The structure was deemed a total loss. The county Sheriff ’s Office reported that the cause is believed to be a candle which was left burning in a bathroom. No one was injured, and the 14 cabins at the resort did not burn.
Don Hammer has been named the new director of the Grand Marais Art Colony. A native of Northfield, Hammer brings a deep appreciation of the arts to the job as well as a career as an artist, a director and a teacher. He studied art at the University of Wisconsin, specializing in glass blowing and fibers. Hammer is also an accomplished blacksmith.
20 YEARS AGO
APRIL 6, 1998
Rumors of a garbage transfer station on Maple Hill flew last week, until Cook County assistant planning director Ed Landin quashed them Wednesday. “The man who applied for a permit to put in a transfer station on the Gunflint Trail has withdrawn his application,” Landin told the News-Herald. “It was submitted in mid-March, but there was considerable citizen opposition and also we (planning department) figured that it wasn’t the best site.”
Despite the cold weather and having to move the main selling location, the 1998 Daffodil Days was a big success. Selling at the Senior Center went well, even though some people had difficulty finding the sale. This year, 597 bunches of flowers were sold, an improvement over the 500 bunches sold last year. The total amount of money raised was $4,112 – $501 more than the previous year.
50 YEARS AGO
APRIL 4, 1968
The John Wrights, who purchased the Johnson farm at Moose Valley in Hovland two years ago, have started their farm program by purchasing five pigs and one husky dog. They plan a garden of vegetables when weather permits and hope to add beef cattle to their venture. The Wrights are from Florida and said they don’t mind the snow and cold.
Lillian Plummer of Gunflint Lake reports that her bald eagle has returned again. Each spring, for many years, Lily says he has been returning to the same spot on the lake. She has been putting out a beaver carcass for him, and he comes to feed on it.
90 YEARS AGO
APRIL 5, 1928
A.V. Johnson, who was taken sick on his way to Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago, is now in Duluth after spending some time in a Minneapolis hospital. He is expected home this week.
Chris Johnson is preparing to operate a saw mill near Cascade. He will move his mill a little later to a location east of Grand Marais, where he has some lumber already sawed. He intends to make boxes.
Chas. Blade is papering and painting at the Arrowhead Hotel.
T.F. Thomas left Tuesday on the bus where he will attend the Scottish Rite reunion.
The county snow plow went as far as Northern Light Lake Tuesday, plowing through the heaviest drifts on the Gunflint Trail. The road is fairly well open from there on.
The new federal lookout tower near the dock is now about completed, with only the roof and floor to be added to the present construction.
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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