• Sunday-What'sUP August 13 - 01:49 am

Right around the turn of the century, a dry spell hit the U.P., much as we are experiencing this summer. John Rule of Iron Mountain was busy back then, keeping the sprinkler wagon full, settling the dust in the streets of the town. The extra protection for the horses was meant to shield them from dust and the sun, but I bet they would have declined if given the choice.

You'll notice on the What'sUP page - where we track the history of the Pasty Cam trailing 8 years ago - that back in '99 there was rain over the entire Great Lakes region. It sure would be nice to have a repeat, as this is one of the longest dry spells I can remember. Lawns have turned brown and even some of the trees are changing color prematurely. Fortnately the streets are all paved these days, which would have put John Rule in the unemployment line (or perhaps starting a business selling horse jackets). Thanks again to the UP Digitization Center for a unique glimpse of Upper Michigan's past.

Have a good week :o

Good Morning everyone! Pretty neat picture.

Very unusual look at the past.

An extra bonus in old photos of this type is the appearance of signs, like the "Columbia Clothing" building sign. Reminds me of the one you see going up Quincy hill.

PICTURES OF THE BY-GONE ERA ARE ALWAY'S FASCINATING. I TRY AND FIND SIGNS ON THE SIDE'S OF BUILDING'S HERE IN TROLLVILLE(LOWER MICHIGAN). DROVE PAST THE QUINCY HILL SIGN MANY TIMES. ALWAYS LOOK FOWARD TO SEEING IT, BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE ALMOST THERE.

I suspect the horse jackets were to protect them from the flies? My Great uncle Nestor Malfroid sold all of the King Midas Flour in the Copper Country out of his warehouse in Houghton and Laurium. Back in the 30s those signs were on lots of barns in the area. Beautiful in Marquette today with a cool NE wind off the Lake. Suppose to stay in the 70s all week!

How long has it been since the 12 0 clock siern blew in $Bay on Sunday?

Maybe the horse's are protected from the elements, but I ain't seein no screens on them windows.
Maybe not invented yet ?
Or I'm just not seein' em !

DEAN SCHWARTZ SR. (Lulu)

You are shouting. Please turn off the caps lock key.

This picture reminds me of back when I was a kid in Gladstone. They used to spray oil on the roads to keep the dust down. We would follow the trucks on our bikes riding with glee in the mess, and getting all dirty. Imagine spraying oil on a road today less than a mile from the Great Lakes! Times sure do change.

I love seeing these old pictures on Sunday. Especially seeing two horsepower under the hood.

There are still insect, dust, and sun protection outfits made today for horses. More like fashion wear due to the many patterns and fun prints that are made available. My horses love wearing theirs!

The road commission was paving mine the last two weeks and we could have used that wagon to hold down the flying dust. And free horse droppings for the garden! It's a win-win situation!

I spent some time in the Dee in Houghton this week for an amazing display of pictures from the past. If you haven't been there and have an opportunity make sure you stop by.

That sign is a favorite of mine. Seeing it reminds me of a 1911 Washburn-Crosby Gold Medal Cookbook I have. Washburn -Crosby was the start of the Gold Medal Flour we have today. This book was my grandmothers. The cover is torn in half but the inside is in good shape. It is fun to look thru. The ladies all have long dresses. Flour was sold in the large cloth sacks. Recipes are very basic including how to pick out a live chicken and then how to clean it!!

Fran, you earned my interest with the chicken preparation tips, almost from scratch! The best fried chicken that I've ever had in my life was on my aunt's farm in Iowa. She killed one of her chickens in the chicken yard & prepared the fresh chicken--talk about finger-licking good! I think it was only about 3 hours from the hen house to the table. And, she also made the best peas, fresh from her garden, in homemade cream sauce! Yum!

Those poor horses look awfully hot! They would probably rather be eating dust I would think.

Marianne, that meal sounds awfully good. I'd prefer green beans straight out of the garden though. They are to die for.

Marianne, My dad did the killing and Mom had the pleasure of singeing the pin feathers off and cleaning them! Whew what a smell:( The homemade fried chicken was so good. No red bones on those chickens!!! My mother made the cream sauce for the fresh peas also. Yum!!!