20 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 23, 2000
Famed Ely sled-dog musher and explorer Will Steger’s Saganaga Lake cabin was destroyed by fire on October 10. Steger co-owned the cabin with Joe Bailey, a longtime friend. The cabin was on the Canadian side of Saganaga on Chik-Wauk Island. A second building on the property wasn’t damaged by the fire. Calling the blaze “suspicious,” Steger said the loss of his personal items meant little to him in relation to the loss of the structure, built in 1949 by Frank and Betsy Powell out of hand-hewn white cedar lumber.
Imagine the surprise last Thursday, when a large two-person helium-filled balloon landed in a clearing just a half-mile south of the Sawbill Trail. The balloonists had departed from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a day and a half before. They were racing in the Fifth America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, which was part of the annual Albuquerque Fiesta 2000. They traveled the 1500 miles in 37.5 hours with an average speed of roughly 40 mph. The Cook County visitors were confident that they had won the race, but they finished sixth. The winner was the team that traveled the farthest distance before landing.
30 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 22, 1990
The trailer used for a clubhouse at the Grand Marais Gunflint Hills Golf Course burned to the ground early Sunday morning, October 14. The trailer was engulfed in flames when the Maple Hill Fire Department responded to the call at about 3 a.m. No one knows how the fire started. The power and gas had been shut off. A deputy sheriff said the fire had a suspicious origin, but there are no suspects and the sheriff is unsure if it was arson.
60 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 20, 1960
The only Civil War monument to be erected in the entire state of Minnesota has been designated for Cook County — a signal honor — according to C.R. Magney, chairman of the markers and monuments for next year’s Centennial of the Civil War. If plans go through, the monument will be placed on the site of the Colonel William Colvill homestead about nine miles east of Grand Marais.
The construction company working on the Gunflint Trail is a revelation for these parts. This company, formerly engaged in stripping mines, has large equipment and really knows the business. The right-of-way has been largely cleared, the brush burned, and the road in the vicinity of the Hungry Jack entrance is being rapidly rebuilt. The Trail is assuming a new look in this area.
100 YEARS AGO
OCTOBER 20, 1920
The Creech sawmill which has been making a cut of shingles is temporarily closed down. We miss the whistle, as it was our alarm clock.
A pleasant and entertaining Halloween party was given for the purpose of raising funds for the recently organized Aid Society. Ghosts and witches formed a large part of the fun, as well as the gypsy fortune teller.
115 YEARS AGO
JUNE 24, 1905
From the Village of Grand Marais Council Proceedings: The recorder was instructed to request the village attorney to draw up an ordinance prohibiting cattle and other animals from running at large, excepting milch (milk) cows. Also prohibiting the riding of bicycles on the village sidewalks.
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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