Although this photo was taken in 1960 because of an extreme weather event in downtown Grand Marais, it is one of the best historical photos of the old Shore Theater, which is being demolished this week. By the time the Cook County News-Herald goes to press, the theater should be a vacant lot. (See related information in Down Memory Lane on
The News-Herald heard from Gary Nelson of Grand Marais with a correction regarding the May 21 Historical Reflections. Gary said the house being moved is not the Hussey house, but is a house that belonged to Van Johnson. It once sat about where the Grand Marais Senior Center is now located. The building that can be seen to the north was Erstgard’s garage. Gary recalled that Van Johnson sold real estate out of the house, and indeed a sign on the front of the house advertises “lake shore land for sale.” Van’s son, Bev Johnson and grandson, Spike Johnson, helped Carl Mort move the house. Gary said it is possible that one of the two men in the photo is Spike. Spike still maintains a real estate office in Grand Marais, in the tiny building between the Java Moose and Harbor Inn.
Gary does remember seeing the Hussey house being moved. He said the movers for that house were Marty Clark and Tim Matheson.
Above: It has been interesting to watch the dismantling of the historic Shore Theater building on Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais. At press time, most of the demolishing is taking place at the rear of the building. Right: A remnant of days gone by, an RCA movie projector. The Cook County Historical Society is working with building owner Bruce Leng to obtain the old film equipment.
Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with Cook County News- Herald readers? Give us a call, or stop by our Grand Marais office. 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.
Far right: Seagulls with young on the roof of Sivertson’s Gallery rooftop hovered menacingly when a Crawford Excavating worker assesses the old theater wall.
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