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Were you around in 1963, and do you remember the water spout over East Bay in December of that year? I was only three years old at the time, so I honestly don’t remember it. But here’s the photographic proof that it occurred and I was there.
These photos were apparently taken by our neighbors, Ann and Lillian, from their beach house next door. I know this because I recognize Ann’s beautiful handwriting on the back of the photos. Well, the second and third photos have my mom’s writing, but I’m pretty sure the photos were taken by Ann or Lillian.
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In the photos are me and my dad, and behind us in the distance is Haserot Beach and Old Mission Point. Based on the tractor tires, I’m guessing they were digging the channel in front of our house, and you can see just a little of our fishing boat in one of the photos. Dad built the house in 1959 and 1960 (we moved into the house in 1960, when I was just a baby), so this would have been three years into the project.
The spout looks to be out beyond Old Mission Point, so technically, in Lake Michigan headed east. I’m not sure if it actually came into East Bay or not, but no one seems to be concerned that we were out there. Also, the photos are numbered, with “Evolution of a Water Spout” written on the first one, so you can see the progression of it across the bay. Note that this was December, and there doesn’t appear to be much snow yet.
Do you remember the water spout that year? What are your recollections of it? Leave thoughts in the comments below!
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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Such great photos, Jane! Things like this are such delightful finds.
Love your new site and these old photos! Congratulations.
Craziness! I’ve never in my life seen a water spout.
I’ve seen waterspouts on the Atlantic and on the Gulf but never thought about them happening on lakes — interesting photos and memories for you, Jane.
congrats on the site, looks great!
Hi ‘Cuz!
Yes, I remember this, though living on the south east shore of OMP. Dad was working in TC. The sky was vividly eerie, still and greenish. Mom, Steve and I watched the “spout” move, seemingly headed toward land across the bay when Mom shouted for us to get to the basement. I was in the 8th grade and am pleasantly surprised to see your photos. Thank you for sharing!
Hey Cuz! That’s so neat that you remember it, too. Yeah, I’m thinking, shouldn’t we have been headed inside? 🙂
I’ve got all mom’s photos now, so will be posting lots of Old Mission/Family History pics.
Thanks for the note! And is that a new house going in next to your dad’s?
Love your new site, Jane. Looks like it’s fun for you, too.
Heather
Wonderful pictures!
Great pictures!
I remember being sent home from OMPS for those water spouts!!
Maybe you were on Tim’s bus! He recalls it being an intense ride.
Tim says he and Doug were in the same class.
I remember that day too!
I lived on center road just north of bluff road by the Warrens.
I remember!!
I also have a photo, that my Mother in Law took from her backyard in Old Mission ( Sophie Franklin) it is awesome!
I had no idea that spout ever happened. So glad it was recorded in a photo, for proof (and wasn’t part of AI).
I vaguely remember one or both of those ladies, must have been in the 80s. Lived on the way down the Smokey Hollow hill. Very nice and full of information.