Bret and HBH1 have already done the most challenging part of finding the location, but here are some extra details (and I may not be interpreting these photo correctly, so feel free to correct me if anything seems off).
I’ve circled the houses in the background of the photo with the X and the arrow representing the approximate location and direction of the photographer:
By 1948, there has clearly been further development, most likely the construction or expansion of the service station with some parking and then the miniature farm next to it:
That must be this building, possibly originally a motel, that was torn down between 2008 and 2011. So the miniature farm probably went away when the motel went up, which would mean that it was in existence somewhere in the 22-year period between 1939 and 1961.
It does seem like we have a mystery pretty well solved here.
A comment from Dale Sohlstrom on Facebook:
In the 1943 Duluth city directory there is a listing for Lawrence F. (Nellie) Conrad having a filling station at 5310 E. Superior St. In the ’56 directory, it shows Lawrence F. (Nellie I) having the Lakeside motel at 5320 E. Superior St., and not having the filling station. That would be where the SuperAmerica parking lot for the Lakewalk now stands.
Apparently there was also a giant shoe-shaped house at the Conrad Service Station. Details on that can be found in the Duluth News Tribune’s “Northlandia” column: “The biggest shoe in Duluth?“
I believe it was at East Superior Street just east of 54th Avenue East; where the Super America is now.
I believe you are correct, Bret. I find this in a 1952 directory:
Lawrence Conrad owned a gas station located at 5310 East Superior. I didn’t have to time to check on an actual listing for the gas station though.
I don’t think this is the same place, but apparently miniature farms were a popular thing.
Bret and HBH1 have already done the most challenging part of finding the location, but here are some extra details (and I may not be interpreting these photo correctly, so feel free to correct me if anything seems off).
I’ve circled the houses in the background of the photo with the X and the arrow representing the approximate location and direction of the photographer:
In 1939, it looks like this area is undeveloped land, with a fence and small building, possibly the service station, on the left:
By 1948, there has clearly been further development, most likely the construction or expansion of the service station with some parking and then the miniature farm next to it:
By 1961, a large building has been built next to the service station:
That must be this building, possibly originally a motel, that was torn down between 2008 and 2011. So the miniature farm probably went away when the motel went up, which would mean that it was in existence somewhere in the 22-year period between 1939 and 1961.
It does seem like we have a mystery pretty well solved here.
A comment from Dale Sohlstrom on Facebook:
Apparently there was also a giant shoe-shaped house at the Conrad Service Station. Details on that can be found in the Duluth News Tribune’s “Northlandia” column: “The biggest shoe in Duluth?“