HIGH SCHOOL & GRADE SCHOOL

Above is pictured the high school building, left, and the grade school building, right, as they looked in 1909. To the far right can be seen part of the two tennis courts that were so much a part of the all around athletic activities of the high school at that time. The spectator syndrome was yet to come.

S.S. ILLINOIS

S.S. Illinois on the beach north of the piers, Charlevoix, Michigan. Hard at work, left to right, tugs "GEIKEN," "TAYLOR," and "PARMELEE."

When the "ILLINOIS" went on the beach at Charlevoix the first time, it was considered an unfortunate accident. But when it happened a second time, that was a different story. In a heavy fog the "ILLINOIS" ran aground about a quarter of a mile north of the piers. The only damage was the depressing effect on the prestige of the steamship line ... the only hurt, to the captain's self esteem. For the GAGSTERS of the era it was a field day. Some suggested that the name of the ship be changed to the "LANDLUBBER." Others submitted for serious consideration were the "BEACHCOMBER," the "SAND HOG," and the "WANDERER."

WOOD ISLAND BRIDGE

The first Belvedere bathing pier extended out into Pine Lake from Wood Island, as shown in the above drawing of 1910. The island formed a small lagoon across which was built Wood Island Bridge, a small arched structure that led to the pier. The lagoon was later filled in and the bridge eliminated.