History Posts

PDD Video Lab: Lester Park, Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds, 1975

In this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken another silent film from Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added music. This time the Duluth scenery includes Lester Park, views from Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds (with two slides going into the water). For music we’ve chosen “Sister Golden Hair,” a chart-topping single by America in 1975.

Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #43

Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers.

The Promethean, UW-Superior’s student newspaper, turns 100

Throughout the past century the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s student newspaper has seen changes and challenges. Despite funding cuts, scandals and a period of general distrust on campus, The Promethean has stood the test of time.

Postcard from Divers at Work Through the Ice in Duluth

There’s no explanation here as to what these “divers at work” were up to. The year of the postmark on this V.O. Hammon Publishing Company postcard is not legible and there is no caption on the back. All we know is M. B. Edwards sent the card from Duluth to William Begg of St. Paul.

A Glad Hand from Duluth, Minn.

PDD Video Lab: Sandra’s Birthday Frolic in Duluth, 1973

For this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken a silent film from 1973 that was recently uploaded to Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” a track from his 1973 album Innervisions. The first minute of the video is kids frolicking in a yard; recognizable Duluth scenery kicks in after that.

But wait … there’s bonus footage.

Then and Now: Duluth’s Incline Railway

A video by Grandview Aerial Photography showing images of the Incline Railway during its operation (1891-1939), then modern-day drone footage following the path it took up the hill. Produced for the Duluth Preservation Alliance.

Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #42

Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers.

Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #41

Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers.

Video Archive: Attempting to save UMD’s Old Main

During WDIO-TV’s annual March of Dimes Telethon circa 1990, Dennis Anderson introduced a Colder by the Lake Comedy Theatre slide presentation by Bruce Ojard featuring old Duluth buildings as a plea to convince the city to preserve the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Old Main building instead of tearing it down.

The building was destroyed by fire on Feb. 23, 1993.

Postcard from the Ski Tournament at Duluth in 1910

This postcard was mailed to Mrs. May Hagberg two years after the ski tournament shown in the image. The postmark is Feb. 15, 1912.

Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #40

Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers.

Postcard from Congdon Park in 1940

The message on this postcard was composed 80 years ago today — Feb. 7, 1940. The card is postmarked the next day.

View of Duluth from Skyline Parkway

This undated photo of Downtown Duluth, Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, etc. is from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The biggest clue to when the photo was shot is the scrapyard where the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center stands today. So we know the image was captured prior to construction of the Duluth Arena in 1966. Are there any other clues in there?

Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #39

Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers.

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