Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane


20 YEARS AGO
JULY 23, 2001

It was a gracious “no,” but it was a “no.” In a 4-1 vote the members of the school district board voted not to sponsor a charter school at Birch Grove. The turn-down was sweetened somewhat by words directing the superintendent to establish a committee to identify guiding principles for staffing of outlying schools.

The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) held a special meeting July 17 to discuss the interview process for the 11 applicants for the EDA director’s job. The board eliminated five of the 11 applicants due to the fact that the applicants did not meet the EDA’s minimum requirements for the position. It was decided that the remaining six applicants would be given interviews for the director position.

30 YEARS AGO
JULY 22, 1991

In the county’s first-ever ballot by mail, a proposal to raise promotional funds for the Gunflint Trail by charging lodge guests a 2 percent tax has failed to win approval. The vote was 96 yes, 116 no. The turnout was 73 percent of eligible voters.

An air quality permit that will allow LTV Steel Mining Company to operate its three-boiler 225-megawatt steam generating plant at Taconite Harbor, near Schroeder, was approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Board July 17. The board also voted to deny a request by a coalition of six environmental groups for a contested case hearing on LTV’s air quality permit. Such a hearing, if granted, could have delayed issuance of the permit for another six months.

60 YEARS AGO
JULY 20, 1961

The Atom Construction Company of Grand Marais has announced a groundbreaking for the construction of a new bowling alley, to be located about one mile west of downtown on Highway 61. To be named “Bowla-Vista,” this new recreational and entertainment facility will have the “Gold Crown Line” of pinsetters, ball-returns, lanes, and equipment from the Brunswick Corporation. Note from 2021: When the bowling alley was dismantled, The Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marais was able to salvage the beautiful wooden bowling lanes. Today, you can enjoy your meal on a table made from a bowling lane.

Six people, all out-of-county residents, have been fined a total of over $650 for violation of the 1958 boat safety law, according to the man in charge of the local U.S. Coast Guard, whose duty it is to check boats and equipment. The violations were for improper numbering, and inadequate and unapproved life-saving devices.

100 YEARS AGO
JULY 28, 1921

The American Legion ball team of Grand Marais crossed bats with the Lutsen team Sunday, in Charles A. Nelson’s hay meadow. The Grand Marais boys were the victors, the score being 18-2. A heavy shower interrupted the game, but when the mists had rolled away, the game was finished. A collection was taken to pay for lost balls and other paraphernalia.

Stephen J. Napieralski of Chicago was in Grand Marais last week. He is president of one of the mining companies at Gunflint and has arranged to have about 50 or 60 men of Polish extraction visit here in a body next month. Among them will be the minister of finance of Poland.

Teachers’ examinations are being held at the schoolhouse during this week.

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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