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Historical Mackinac Island Cook Book

Posted on September 4, 2023October 29, 2023 by Rachel Rappaport

Historical Mackinac Island Cook Book compiled and edited by Ralph F. Sommer DDS MS F.A.C.D., Professor of Dentistry, Univ. of Mich. to benefit the maintenance of the Mackinac Medical Center 1964 (Mackinac Island, Michigan)

My copy is beat! I might have to break out my comb binding machine and re-bind it. The pages are quite bowed. The previous owner also put in some plastic tabs on I guess recipes of interest. At first, I thought it was part of the book but they seem pretty random. I’ve never seen plastic tabs before!

There is a long history of the Medical Center and its relationship with food (who knew) which I’m posting below. It’s pretty interesting and I can see why they’d decide to make a cookbook!

The book has some photographs of historical spots around the Island and some drawings of local interest. Mackinac Island is an interesting place because they still don’t allow cars and the year-round population is only around 500 people but it’s also a very popular tourist location and known for fudge. There are lists of fun facts about the island in the book.

The recipes are mostly typical “American” meals of the era–lots of casseroles–but there are also some historic recipes like Mrs. Ed Crane’s 100 Year Old Johnny Cake.

There is a section of Governor and Mrs. George Romney’s Favorite recipes which included Hamburger Stroganoff for six. There is a section of Asst. Sec. of State for African Affairs Mr. G. Mennen Williams’ and Mrs. William’s favorite recipes which included Suprise Walnut Pie.

There are good number of local ads scattered in the book.

A lot of pudding recipes. Mrs. John W. Claxton’s Voletta Cherry Pudding caught my eye along with her recipe for Aunty Mick Best Ever Pudding.

There is also a small section of “short orders”–“for people who do not wish to eat in restaurants–do not know how to cook–and prefer meals in a hurry–” which is a list of full meals consisting of canned ingredients or very simple meals like a seared steak and salad.

Tags: 1960s bookbookcommunity cookbookcredits sourcesHistorical Mackinac Island Cook Bookhistorical recipeshospital cookbookillustratedlocal adslocal historiesMackinac Island MichiganMichiganmysterious recipe namesnamed contributorsphotographspolitician contributorsrecipes for a crowdspiral boundtrivia
Category: bookMichigan Cookbook

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I'm a cookbook author and recipe developer collecting community cookbooks from around the US and recreating the recipes so you can make them at home, today.

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