Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane


20 YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 20, 2000

Ten new flags flew high above the bay beneath Mount Rose at Grand Portage Reservation after a flag-raising ceremony that was attended by dozens of Grand Portage residents and friends. All came to dedicate the ground behind the old log school as the future site of the Veterans’ Memorial. “This is a proud day for the Grand Portage community,” said Tribal Chairman Norman Deschampe. “This is another piece of who we are at Grand Portage.”

Head Coach Lyle Anderson made his last appearance as Cook County High School football coach at the state quarterfinal game November 10. The Vikings lost to Browerville 19-14, and ended their reign of three years of wins and championships.

30 YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 19, 1990

Type 1 and Type 2 plastics, which include many of the containers used for soda pop, bleach, milk, cooking oil and other products, are now being accepted for recycling in Cook County. County Planning Director Tim Kennedy said there is now a market for this type of plastic. “We’re currently recycling about 26 percent of all materials,” said Kennedy.

Grand Marais City Council gave preliminary support to a low-income housing plan presented by the Rural and Urban Development Corporation of Redwood Falls. The 24-unit project would have six three-bedroom apartments and 18 two-bedroom apartments. The units would be divided into four-plexes. As proposed, financing will be provided by the Farmers Home Administration (FHA), which would set basic rent (between $325-$350 per month); the actual market value of the rent would be about $200 per month higher.

60 YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 17, 1960

The Wilderness Canoe Base on Sea Gull Lake lost its main cabin in a disastrous fire last Thursday. This was the 80-by-40-foot log building that housed the kitchen and dining room, and its loss is a serious blow to the camp and its activities. It is believed that somehow the fire started from the barrel stove heater in the kitchen, and combustion seemed to have been almost instantaneous. Ironically, the only water pump was in Grand Marais for repairs.

The first laminated beams are being hoisted in place for the new St. John’s Church on Fifth and Broadway. The church faces west, and has a full basement that will appear as a first story when seen from the lakeside. The new church is necessitated by the increase of the number of parishioners and by the greatly increasing number of summer residents and visitors. It is designed to provide facilities for over 300 and should prove adequate for the average high attendance during the summer months.

100 YEARS AGO
NOVEMBER 17, 1920

County Auditor Carter reports he has issued 250 big game licenses to residents of Cook County up to today and applications are still coming in.

A slight accident occurred in the town of Rosebush on Saturday. C.A. Nelson with his auto had a collision with C.O. Johnson’s wagon.

Hilmer Backlund, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Backlund, has the scarlet fever. This is the only case in town, and the family is quarantined. The patient is getting along nicely.

A.R. Burns, a fur buyer from Port Arthur who pleaded guilty before Judge Page Morris in Duluth to a charge of handling whiskey unlawfully, was sentenced to six months in the Cook County jail. He has returned to Grand Marais to serve out his sentence.

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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