The heart of commerce is… Superior, WI?
And to think, some of us thought it was the armpit…
“The American Geographical Society Library has acquired an extremely rare and unusual map, The Man of Commerce, published in 1889 in Superior, Wisconsin. The highly detailed 31″ x 50″ map/chart conflates human anatomy with the American transportation system, in an apparent attempt to promote Superior as a transportation hub.”
So that would make the New England and the Maritimes the …
Would that make the Dakotas and Texas the armpits then? Seems about right.
So weird!
That’s a pretty cool map, although the stomping on Europe and Africa is dubious… I guess in a way it is accurate.
Cool. Note that the map was published by the Land & River Improvement Company, operated in Superior by John Hammond of “Hammond Avenue” fame. This company developed most of superior’s early infrastructure, and any street names reflect this (named after company officials and their children) so promoting Superior was its top priority. His grandson John grew up on the east coast and went to the finest schools and later got into the music industry as a talent scout. He was the first to sign (or “discover”) Billy Holiday, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen (who Hammond saw as “the next Bob Dylan”).
And there’s your Twin Ports trivia factoid for the end of day. Have a great summer!
If I may add to Tony’s factoid, John H. Hammond’s great grandson, John P. Hammond, is a well-known blues musician and came to Duluth to play the Bayfront Blues Festival in 1993 and 2001.
Ree-ally? Thank you tony d and paul. I love those factoids. And is the Hammond organ any connection? Because that would be something truly awesome coming out of Superior, WI. In fact, that one is so great I think they should claim it even if it isn’t … maybe put another wing on the accordion museum …
I thought John Hammond founded Jurassic Park. 😉