10 YEARS AGO
JULY 18, 2009
A group of canoeists in a 24-foot voyageur canoe will make a stop at the future Chik-Wauk Museum and Interpretive Center on July 13 to help celebrate the 100th anniversaries of the Superior National Forest and Quetico Provincial Park. The “Canoe the Heart” expedition involves various groups of canoeists traveling the “heart of the continent” relay-style along a 350-plusmile route beginning in Atikokan, Ontario and ending in Thunder Bay.
The Cook County commissioners threw their support behind a local broadband initiative Tuesday when they agreed to help the $40 million project move forward with a fall referendum and a promise that if voters approve it, the telecommunications project will be among those on the list for funding.
20 YEARS AGO
JULY 19, 1999
While rumors have been circulating speaking of substantial losses at the Grand Marais Recreation Park due to the 20 percent surcharge which was placed on park and marina users earlier this season, actual occupancy and revenue totals are not quite as grim. Speculation and guesswork have arrived at losses totaling $40,000 to $60,000 at the park, but in reality, the numbers are not nearly so low. In fact, some areas have shown improvement over the numbers of one or two years ago.
As predicted, Cook County will save about $100,000 by acting as its own contractor to close the countyowned landfill. The county board received a list of quotes from local contractors willing to do the work. The total of $242,517 is $98,618 less than the low quote received from an out-of-county contractor last month, and is a combination of portions of the job bid by three county contractors.
50 YEARS AGO
JULY 17, 1969
Fire, believed to have been started by lightning early Monday morning, completely destroyed the Great Hall at Grand Portage. A loud thunder crash was heard by several people at 5:15 a.m. and it is believed that lightning hit the building at that time, setting the roof on fire, according to Richard Tousley, Grand Portage National Monument superintendent. The building, which measured 31 by 66 feet, was a restoration of the original Great Hall used by the early voyageurs and fur traders. The original post of the North West Company was built in the late 1770s, and was reconstructed in the 1930s during the WPA days.
Highway 61 at First Avenue West in Grand Marais may finally get some stop and go signals, Mayor Joe Thomsen said. The matter isn’t definite, but the mayor said there is a good chance that the signals will go in this time. If the plans go through, the village will have to stand half the cost of installation and materials.
90 YEARS AGO
JULY 18, 1929
Ruby Samskar today suffered as the result of an attack by a pet bear at Illgen City. The bear which is chained in front of the Aztec Hotel, kept for the amusement of tourists, made a dash at Miss Samskar, who was unable to get out of range of the attack. Clawing and biting inflicted a deep gash in the muscles of the leg below the knee.
Fires left by campers were the cause of two fires north of here. One fire was put out at West Bearskin; Wednesday it was necessary to put out a fire at Daniels Lake.
Some of the local boys have been peppering the lookout station on the lakefront with .22 bullets, smashing the glass windows and endangering the look-out man. We begin to see why they call the towers “look-outs”!
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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