UPDATE, JANUARY 14 2025: Upon discovery of new information, the recovery efforts of the 1935 Chevrolet 2-door have been put on hold to allow further research to be done by the Becker County Historical Society and Museum. The Museum appreciates the volunteer efforts of Tri-State Diving and Lance Akers to recover a piece of Becker County history. We are always thankful for the many ways we are supported by our region.
Original story –
Detroit Lakes, MN – On January 15, 2025, local volunteers, in cooperation with Tri-State Diving, Lance Akers and the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, will raise a 1935 Chevrolet 2-door Convertible from Big Detroit Lake, marking the 70th anniversary of a tragic event that occurred on the same date in 1955. The car, which has been submerged in the lake for seven decades.
On the morning of January 15, 1955, brothers James (19) and Jack McCabe (26) were out on Big Detroit Lake, checking on area fishermen. The car broke through thin ice over an area recently refrozen after an ice company had harvested the ice the day before. In a harrowing account, Jack McCabe later explained, “All of a sudden, we were going down. The car just nosed into the lake, settled to the bottom and water started to pour in.” Tragically, despite Jack’s heroic attempts to save his younger brother, James was lost to the icy waters that morning.
Over the years, the McCabe brothers’ story passed from living memory to local legend. For 70 years, the brothers’ car lay at the bottom of Big Detroit Lake. Now, through the efforts of local volunteers, Tri-State Diving, and the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, the car will be brought back to the surface, offering the community a chance to remember the McCabe brothers and reflect on their story.
Gary “Seal” Thompson, owner of Tri-State Diving and an expert in vehicle recovery, will lead the recovery efforts, using state-of-the-art diving equipment to safely retrieve the car. Representatives from the local fire department, whose predecessors responded to the call on that fateful day in 1955 will be there to meet and honor the vehicle. The car will then be transported for interim storage, where it will undergo further cleaning and preservation.
The passionate group of volunteers doing the recovery hope to see the car restored to the best condition possible, preserving it as a piece of local history and exploring the possibility of its sale to fund to support future preservation efforts and exhibits at the Becker County Museum.
“This is a chance for our community to reflect on a chapter in our history while honoring the memory of the McCabe brothers,” said Becky Mitchell, Director of the Becker County Historical Society and Museum. “We are grateful to everyone involved in bringing this car to the surface after so many years.”
The event will take place on January 15, 2025, with the recovery process beginning first thing in the morning.
About Becker County Historical Society and Museum
The Becker County Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history and culture of Becker County, Minnesota. The Museum offers exhibits, educational programs, and events that celebrate the people and local heritage of Becker County
For more information, please contact:
Becky Mitchell
Becker County Historical Society and Museum
Phone: 218-234-8844 cell, 218-847-2938 Museum
Email: becky@beckercountyhistory.org