Bear Lake Marine is celebrating its 50th anniversary on June 13, 2009, so the kids and I trooped down to the Manistee Historical Museum to see what we could discover. We entered the underground bowels and less than two hours later, emerged Museum Members (A great value at only $15 for the family, and as members, we saved $.15 on every copy!) and a little wiser about the marina. All kidding aside, our thanks go out to the museum for their generosity in opening their records to us.

Here is what we found out on our first trip to the Museum. Bear Lake Marine was originally established in 1959 as 'Sholtey's Boat Company' then shortly thereafter renamed 'Sholtey's Water Spot' in 1960. We found evidence of its establishment in 1959 with a mention in the Bear Lake Days Program printed in the Pioneer Press on July 28, 1959. Sholtey's Boat Company was in charge of Boat Rides (Bear Lake Days appears to have been around the first week in August 50 years ago).

Also pictured is a post parade article which details that in the parade were 19 business, 12 organizations, and High School bands from Bear Lake, Onekama, Copemish and Freesoil. Also featured in the parade was Bobby the Clown, the Bear Lake township fire truck, and several individual entries, all led by the State Police and Sheriff cars.

There was also a kiddies parade in which Barbara Johnson won first place, Joyce Hansen was second and Sally Myers third. Barbara's theme was, 'Mary had a Little Lamb', including her real lamb.

The Bear Lake Lions Club had a ball game which they won against the Postage Point all-Stars, the score was 6 to 1. There was rough water which caused trouble for water skier and boat racers on Sunday, and a canoe tilting exhibition was put on by the scouts. The Manistee Muzzle Loaders provided entertainment on both days as well as Ken Ake's ponies. The Lions Club offered food concessions. The Trigintas held a dance after and the evening concluded with fireworks at 9:30.

More history to come as we uncover it. Email or call if you have a story to share about Bear Lake from 1959 through early 1960's.