Lake County Past: Oct. 22

Talk about it

From Lake County newspaper archives.

100 years ago, 1910

Metropolitan House Opera House was destroyed by fire. Built in 1906, being first named the Grand Opera House, it was owned by Messrs. L.P. Christensen and Chas. A. Yernberg and cost in the neighborhood of $12,000. The origin of the fire is not known but the manager feels it may been from a cigar or cigarette stub. It is has been decided that the owners will rebuild.

Come on in

Wm. Cooke announces that he will open his café on Saturday, the 22nd. During the time the café has been closed, Mr. Cooke has made extensive improvements and has also installed a Regina Orchestra to play evenings.

75 years ago,1935

The largest cast ever assembled by local schools for an operetta will be ready for presentation in the high school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. “The Frolic of the Season” will include over 20 musical numbers including singing, folk dancing, interpretive rhythms and a rhythm band.

Fill ’er up

The corner on First Avenue and Seventh Street will soon see a super service station to be operated by Ralph Holland. He will have an up-to-date station, carrying tires, batteries, auto accessories and will have road service and do repairing. Also in the offering will be an official state headlight adjustment service.

50 years ago, 1960

William J. Croke, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Croke of Two Harbors, was one of three students in the nation invited to the meeting of the National Science Foundation in Denver. Croke has been assisting Dr. Henry Lepp, UMD associate professor of geology, in research on the “chemistry and origin of semidentary iron formations.”

Update: William, a 1952 Two Harbors High School graduate, after being drafted and doing a stint with the local railroad, eventually got degrees in geology and civil engineering and worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, retiring about 15 years ago. He lives in Duluth.

When asked about the paper he presented those many years ago, he recalled exactly the subject quoted in the paper back then.

Many uses

In addition to the valuable services newspapers render to the readers and advertisers, there are many other uses for newspapers in the home: shelf paper, rolled up as a fly swatter, folded as a fan, shredded for packing, unfolded for wrapping. All these uses of course are secondary to the benefit you get out of reading it. Call your local news items in to Mrs. Maxine Sega, 868-R.

25 years ago, 1985

Call it dreaming, some food for thought, an incentive for action. Whatever it was, there was a good turnout and plenty of excitement in Silver Bay as architects, landscapers, graphic designers and artists shared ideas to physically redesign and to create a new image for Silver Bay with an eye to economic development.

Tags: community, lake county past