Postcards from the Sky Room Restaurant at Buena Vista Motel
A panorama view from high atop Skyline Drive overlooking Duluth. The Buena Vista Motel and its lounge and restaurant opened in 1962. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome J. LaPlante were the original owners. Bob Magie, Bob Nylen and Jerry Strum bought it in 1986 and oversaw a remodel in 1995. They operated the business for nearly 20 years before selling in 2005 to developer Tim Wiklund, who demolished the structure to create the 45-unit Superior Vista condominium complex.
The final image here is a postcard published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The description on the back reads:
Vista Room Restaurant and Buena Vista Motel
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
Central Entrance & Skyline Drive across from the new First Methodist Church.
Panoramic view of City – Lake Superior and Harbor.
Scandinavian Imports.
Phone (218) 722-7796
Once I ate there during a lightning storm at night. That was the best.
I really miss that view!!!
While interviewing for a job, my future coworkers took me to the Buena. That view sold me on the job and Duluth! Broke my heart to see them “pave paradise.”