Rachael Kilgour back in Duluth for Valentine’s Day Show

After a busy year touring her new album across the United States and Canada, singer-songwriter Rachael Kilgour is back in Duluth for Valentine’s Day. An open cynic of the romance industrial complex — known for her unflinching examination of a broken heart — Kilgour may seem like an odd choice to headline Sacred Heart Music Center’s annual Valentine’s concert.

Postcard from the Riverview Motel circa 1955

This postcard shows the Riverview Motel in West Duluth, which was replaced in the early 2000s by Westgate Townhomes.

Nolen Sellwood – “Forthcome”

Duluth’s Nolen Sellwood performed this track from his 2024 album Cadence to the Flame at Sacred Heart Music Center.

“Master Clown,” by CMP IN©

Let the bloodletting continue.

“Dismal River Bend,” by CMP IN©

JamesG – “Just a Hair”

Former Duluthian James Geisler, aka JamesG, drops into Cutting Edge Barbershop in Coon Rapids in his latest music video.

Postcard from Skyline Parkway Overlooking DM&IR Ore Docks

This undated postcard shows the DM&IR ore docks, which mark the border between Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, then known as the West End, and West Duluth.

Duluth Deep Dive #1: Sandbars

From top to bottom, freshwater sandbars in Lake Eerie, Lake Baikal and our own on Lake Superior. In each image, the red line represents 15 miles. (Images from Google Earth)

The 10-mile combined length of Minnesota and Wisconsin Point is often described as one of the world’s longest natural freshwater sandbars. But which sandbars is it being compared against? This post takes a closer look at the world’s longest sandbars (and includes a Geoguessr challenge of remarkable sandbars around the world).

PDD Geoguessr becomes Duluth Deep Dive (with a Geoguessr)

PDD Geoguessr is getting a rebranding for 2025. Last year’s analytics showed that a lot more people were reading the context around the games than playing the games themselves. In recognition of this, the new monthly format will put more focus on the topic rather than just providing a link for the game. To keep the posts connected to cultural geography — and to show some appreciation to the dedicated PDD Geoguessr players — the posts will still conclude with a Geoguessr challenge. This announcement marks the transition with a Geoguessr challenge that fits the old format better than the new one.

Minnesota Land Surveyor’s Deathbed Confession, 1907

The text below is reproduced from a handwritten document that slipped out of a book of maps at the Minnesota Historical Society. Its authentication remains in progress.

I die happy seeing the completion of the Minnesota land survey, and the dissolution of the Office of the Surveyor General. He surveyed himself out of a job. We all did, the great work of our lives. It took five decades. But holes were chopped through the state that cannot be filled. I discovered a flaw in the measurements in the summer of 1855 when we were still just a territory. And I have knowledge of the disappearance of my hated competitor as he fell between the parallels, in the woods of what is now northeast Duluth.

Many surveying companies were employed by the Surveyor General. Mine was one and I was sworn in as a deputy surveyor. Rough work. We camped away from home for months, in 10-man teams: axe-men, chainmen, cooks, and muleskinners. Our families didn’t know if we were alive or dead until we returned (or failed to) for the winter break.

Great Lakes Now: A Different Perspective on the Fur Trade

Great Lakes Now interviews artist/historian Carl Gawboy about his book Fur Trade Nation: An Ojibwe’s Graphic History.

Perfect Duluth Day’s 20,000th Blog Post

After more than 21 years as “Duluth’s Duluthiest website,” Perfect Duluth Day today randomly hits the milestone of publishing its 20,000th blog post.

Big Into – “Lucy’s Dope Lil Spare Bedroom”

The latest video from Iron Range nerd-rockers Big Into is for those who’ve got the feeling they’re being watched.

Rob on Bikes: Dreamland at Spirit Mountain

Dreamland mountain bike trail opened at Spirit Mountain last fall. Two minutes into his October ride, Rob of Rob on Bikes crashed and scratched his GoPro lens, but persevered to pull together a segment with only slightly obscured footage.

Plans for Arrowhead Bridge emerge in 1925

One hundred years ago plans were emerging to build what would later be called the Arrowhead Bridge, which spanned the St. Louis River from Grassy Point in West Duluth to Billings Park in Superior. Construction of the bridge was completed in 1927. It was dismantled in 1985 after the opening of the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge.