Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane


20 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 2, 2000

WTIP, Cook County’s community radio station, received some good news last week: the Federal Communications Commission has agreed to process the station’s request for a translator at the end of the Gunflint Trail. In August, the outlook for an FCC blessing on a WTIP translator that would reach into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness looked grim. While the local station had entered its application on time, the FCC had frozen all new applications so that it could concentrate on other business.

30 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 1, 1990

It was billed as a peaceful march by Indigenous Canadians and Native Americans, who would meet at the middle of the Pigeon River bridge and hold a brief ceremony to show support for the Mohawk protesters in their dispute with Quebec authorities. But the ceremony became a blockade which held up traffic at the international crossing for nearly three hours. Two groups numbering about 40 Canadians and 80 Americans began the march at noon on September 22 from their respective sides toward the center of the bridge. The parade was watched from the US Customs building by Sheriff John Lyght, three of his deputies, and five Minnesota state troopers. After traffic was completely blocked by the ceremony for over an hour, law enforcement officers asked the protesters to allow at least one lane of traffic to be opened. They refused. By 2:30 p.m., the protesters said they accomplished their purpose and began to drift away. No arrests were made.

The DNR wildlife office in Grand Marais received some calls following the publication last week of a photo showing a man riding a swimming moose in the News-Herald. Area wildlife manager Bill Peterson said he did not know if the action would be construed as harassment and therefore illegal in Minnesota (the photo was taken in Canada). He did, however, discourage the practice. “I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing to do to an animal,” he said.

60 YEARS AGO
SEPTEMBER 29, 1960

The director of the Minnesota Historical Society announced the discovery of 18 brass and copper kettles at Horsetail Rapids near Saganaga Lake by a professor and three skin divers. The kettles, relics of the 18th century Grand Portage fur trade, were found in a deep pool below the rapids where they have probably rested for 150 years or more.

Bob Zimmerman is harboring two skunks under his cabin on Hungry Jack. Originally, the two striped animals took up residence under Gateway Lodge, but since Pat McDonnell felt he should share the honors of their presence, he screened them out, so they moved down the line to Zimmerman’s.

100 YEARS AGO
SEPTEMBER 29, 1920

There was an explosion in chemistry class on Monday morning. Some hydrogen gas mixed with air; the explosion broke some of the glass apparatus. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The cold north winds of the last few days are a reminder that summer is about over. Well, it was good while it lasted.

115 YEARS AGO
JUNE 24, 1905

From the Brooklyn Eagle: Automobiles are being used to smuggle goods across the frontiers of Europe. As the popularity of the motor car increases on the continent, custom officials are devoting attention to those folks who show a preference for traveling at night. Recently, $275 worth of Moravian tobacco was seized on the French frontier.

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 ccnh@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.

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