1940’s view of the ski tower located on the sand hills across from Jamestown Slough, Vern Linderoth Photo
During the 1940’s, in the days before snowmobiles, winter enthusiasts gathered at Jamestown winter sports park on Old-U.S. 2 east of Manistique, to enjoy a variety of winter recreational activities. Preparatory work began in the fall of 1940 for the construction of a ski jump, ski trails and a toboggan slide on the sand hills opposite Jamestown Slough. The effort was spearheaded by the Manistique Winter Sports Club and relied exclusively on volunteer labor. The poles and lumber used for erecting the ski jump were all donated by local citizens and businesses. By January of 1941 the new winter sports park was ready for use. The new sports park was open to skiers of all ages. The youngest skier to brave going down the new Jamestown tower was nine-year-old John Paul Quick.
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, many of the area’s young men left to serve in World War II. But skiing at the sports park continued during the war years, with ski-jumping tournaments sponsored by the local American Legion Post. A tournament in February of 1943 featured a top distance jump of 71 feet by Erwin Casey with Ted Hentschell finishing second with a jump of 70 feet. The Legion offered prizes of $12.50 in War Savings Stamps to the winners in each class. Over 400 spectators came out to cheer on the participants.
An unidentified ski jumper at the Jamestown tower. Vern Linderoth Photo
The American Legion sponsored another ski jumping tournament in March of 1945. The exhibition was blessed with favorable weather and a crowd of over 500 local fans. Ted Hentschell won the competition for the longest jump measured at 85 feet. It was noted that several skiers soared higher and farther, but were disqualified for “taking tumbles” after landing.
In addition to the long jump contests, there were exhibition jumps that featured two or three skiers coming down the slide together. Double jumps were made by the John Paul Quick and Paul Verina; and by Kenneth Swanson and Lawrence Rubick. A triple jump featured Ted Hentschell, John Quick and Paul Verina.
A ski jumping tournament in February of 1947 sponsored by the Manistique Ski Club featured skiers from across the Upper Peninsula. Conditions were ideal for both skiers and spectators. Allan Hamari of Iron Mountain set a new hill record with a leap of 90 feet. Leo Clash, another Iron Mountain native, thrilled the crowd of spectators by speeding down the tower wearing only one ski, and finishing his unusual jump with a perfect landing.
The tournament in February of 1948 shattered all previous records. Perfect weather conditions and an improved ski slide led to record jumps from the Jamestown tower. Reuben Hamari of Iron Mountain flew for 101 feet, breaking his brother Allan’s mark of the previous year. Prominent Manistique skiers included Ted Hentschell and John Quick. The event was witnessed by a huge crowd of 3000 spectators. The 1940’s ended with plans for the development of a ski tow, junior ski jump and toboggan slide adjacent to the quarry playground at Central Park.
To view a 1940’s movie by Manistique photographer Vern Linderoth, of ski jumping at both Pine Mountain and at the Jamestown tower, check out the You Tube channel on the historical society’s website. The color portion of the movie was filmed near Lakeside School and at the Jamestown winter sports park.