Mystery Photo #55: Duluth Miniature Farm

Paul Lundgren Oct 22, 2017 10 Comments

Thanks to the labeling we know this miniature farm was located at a Conrad Service Station in Duluth. But where specifically in Duluth? And when?

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10 Comments

Bret

about 7 years ago

I believe it was at East Superior Street just east of 54th Avenue East; where the Super America is now.

hbh1

about 7 years ago

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.

Gina Temple-Rhodes

about 7 years ago


 
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:

Matthijs

about 7 years ago

In 1939, it looks like this area is undeveloped land, with a fence and small building, possibly the service station, on the left:

Matthijs

about 7 years ago

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:

Matthijs

about 7 years ago

By 1961, a large building has been built next to the service station:

Matthijs

about 7 years ago

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.

Paul Lundgren

about 7 years ago

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.

Paul Lundgren

about 5 years ago



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?"

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