• Sunday-What'sUP February 1 - 04:24 pm

Today's first Shoebox Memory photo appeared on the late George Hite's Eagle Harbor Web site 10 years ago, when Keweenaw County Historical Society announced the Life Saving Museum project. The second pair of photos are from 100 years ago, two Copper Country Captains on duty at the time the US Life Saving Service was combined with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard (the subject of Feb 1 Pasty Central Day in History). The final scene shows the LSS in action.

It is interesting to note, the operations of newly formed Coast Guard 100 years ago was managed by the Treasury Department (Yes, the same folks who oversee the Internal Revenue Service). Over the years, the Coast Guard has bounced back and forth between Departments of Treasury, Navy and Transportation. Finally in 2003 it became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Thanks to Barb Koski and Mark Rowe for pointing out this anniversary, and to all of the KCHS members who help preserve the legacy of the men and women of the U.S. Life Saving Service and Coast Guard. See more at keweenawhistory.org

Have a good week :o)

Very interesting, and I love that last picture!! I
wouldn't want to go out in those choppy waters in
that boat. What brave souls!

Thanks to you, Charlie, as well as to Koski & Rowe, George Hite and the members of KCHS for pointing out all this very interesting history of the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard and its predecessors. After reading your article I went to Wikipedia and read some of this history - very interesting! I wish I had studied some of it in school. I'll have to be sure and stop in at the Eagle Harbor LSS Museum the next time I'm UP there - hopefully this summer.

The U.S. Coast Guard is ready ~ in war and in peace!
My brother-in-law served with them during WWII.

I'm with you on this one, Deb. I'd be afraid too, but I think that when it comes to helping someone in need, people always put their own safety last. I'm sure you would, too.

LOL, Jose! I'm sure I would too, but I'd be
scared out of my mind :-)

Even though I was born and raised in Houghton during the 1930s and 40s it wasn't until I moved to Grayling in 1965 that I learned about the life boat station at Eagle Harbor. The shop teacher at the high school was Wes Kumpala. As I remember, he was born in Central location and he told me he and some brothers all ewent to work at the Station as young men. The other option was to work at the mine. He showed me a gold Carnegi he and his team won for saving people from a shipwreck. They used boats and what he called a breaches bouy (sp). Asmall cannon that threw a line out to sea. A lot of history U.P. there.

I am always interested when I see an Eagle Harbor picture posted, then was excited when I saw the picture of my great grandfather Capt. Charles Tucker. My grandmother Ethel Tucker attended the school house there in Eagle Harbor.
We were raised on the stories of the life-saving crew, and am grateful for the preservation of those events in your museum.

Always enjoy looking at the peaceful station, also like the tree in the middle of the road!

My favorite branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.