Lake County Past: March 18

Talk about it

From Lake County newspaper archives.

100 years ago, 1911

The most enthusiastic and unanimous convention ever held in the city places good men before the voters with an election assured. The Citizens Ticket includes: Mayor Charles Cotter; Aldermen at Large Axel Essen, Ole Stenswick, and E.P. Christensen; Alderman First Ward, Gus Risberg; Alderman Third Ward, Wm. McCurdy; and Alderman Fourth Ward, Carl A. Anderson.

75 years ago, 1936

Twenty-five cents per day will be charged for parking in Gooseberry Park and others including Itasca, Scenic, Jay Cooke, and Interstate. A further 25 cents per day will be charged for camping and the use of privately-owned boats used on lakes within state parks. Overnight cabins will be rented at Itasca and Scenic for a minimum charge of $2.50 per day for one or two persons. All fees collected will be used for the maintenance and operation of the state parks.

State theatre

“Midsummer Night’s Dream”, the Max Reinhardt film masterpiece will open an engagement here on Tuesday. Heralded as the greatest motion picture ever filmed and produced on an unprecedented scale of elaborateness, Shakespeare’s comedy masterpiece will be shown here as a special attraction with all seats reserved. Two Harbors is one of the few cities that will have the privilege of seeing this production this year.

50 years ago, 1961

Norman Van Brocklin, head coach of the newly-organized Minnesota Vikings professional football team, will be guest speaker at the high school athletic banquet. Accompanying Van Brocklin will be Bert Rose, general manager for the Vikings, and Ole Haugsrud, well known Duluth sportsman and part owner of the Vikings. Awards will be given for the best athlete in each sport by the Jaycees and the American Legion will present the “Most Valuable Athlete of the Year Award”.

College test

The annual Selective Service College Qualification Test will be offered to college students at approximately 500 colleges throughout Minnesota. The score on the test is a help to local boards in considering students for deferment from induction for study as undergraduate or graduate students.

25 years ago, 1986

The annual bash in Finland was a big success again, as bright sunshine and warm, almost balmy weather got a big crowd out for the parade Saturday. Floats, fire engines, sirens, and kids with purple and green hair (some of them younger than others) all contributed to the fun of the annual spoof of St. Patrick’s Day. A few Irish, who asked to remain anonymous, threatened encounters with shillelaghs, but reports were that the gathering remained largely peaceful.

Want more history? The Lake County Historical Society is a good place to start. It’s at the Depot in Two Harbors, 834-4898 or visit lakecountyhistoricalsociety.org. There’s also the Bay Area Historical Society in Silver Bay (226-4534), the Finland Historical Society (353-7380 or 353-7550), and the Historical Committee of the Isabella Community Council (323-7644).

Tags: lake county past, community