1935 Chevrolet to be Recovered from Big Detroit Lake, Marking 70-Year Local Legend

On January 15, 2025, local history will come alive as a 1935 Chevrolet emerges from the icy depths of Big Detroit Lake, 70 years to the day after a tragic accident claimed the life of 19-year-old James McCabe.
The McCabe brothers, James and Jack, were checking on area fishermen on January 15, 1955, when their car plunged through thin ice into the freezing waters. Jack survived, but James was tragically lost. Over the decades, their story has transitioned from local memory to legend, and now, the car’s recovery will reconnect the community with this poignant chapter of Detroit Lakes’ history.
The recovery effort, led by Tri-State Diving’s Gary “Seal” Thompson, will bring the car to the surface for the first time in seven decades. The event is a collaboration between local volunteers, the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, and the Detroit Lakes Fire Department, whose predecessors responded to the call on that fateful day in 1955.
Becky Mitchell, Director of the Becker County Historical Society, highlights the significance: “This is a chance for our community to reflect on a chapter in our history while honoring the memory of the McCabe brothers.”
The car will undergo cleaning and preservation, with hopes of eventual restoration. Volunteers are considering selling the car to fund future preservation efforts and museum exhibits, ensuring the McCabe brothers’ story continues to be shared with future generations.
The recovery effort will take place early on January 15, 2025, and promises to be an emotional moment for the Detroit Lakes community.