History
Postcard from Divers at Work Through the Ice in Duluth
There’s no explanation here as to what these “divers at work” were up to. The year of the postmark on this V.O. Hammon Publishing Company postcard is not legible and there is no caption on the back. All we know is M. B. Edwards sent the card from Duluth to William Begg of St. Paul. (more…)
PDD Video Lab: Sandra’s Birthday Frolic in Duluth, 1973
For this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken a silent film from 1973 that was recently uploaded to Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” a track from his 1973 album Innervisions. The first minute of the video is kids frolicking in a yard; recognizable Duluth scenery kicks in after that.
But wait … there’s bonus footage. (more…)
Then and Now: Duluth’s Incline Railway
A video by Grandview Aerial Photography showing images of the Incline Railway during its operation (1891-1939), then modern-day drone footage following the path it took up the hill. Produced for the Duluth Preservation Alliance.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #42
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #41
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Video Archive: Attempting to save UMD’s Old Main
During WDIO-TV’s annual March of Dimes Telethon circa 1990, Dennis Anderson introduced a Colder by the Lake Comedy Theatre slide presentation by Bruce Ojard featuring old Duluth buildings as a plea to convince the city to preserve the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Old Main building instead of tearing it down.
The building was destroyed by fire on Feb. 23, 1993.
Postcard from the Ski Tournament at Duluth in 1910
This postcard was mailed to Mrs. May Hagberg two years after the ski tournament shown in the image. The postmark is Feb. 15, 1912. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #40
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Postcard from Congdon Park in 1940
The message on this postcard was composed 80 years ago today — Feb. 7, 1940. The card is postmarked the next day. (more…)
View of Duluth from Skyline Parkway
This undated photo of Downtown Duluth, Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, etc. is from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The biggest clue to when the photo was shot is the scrapyard where the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center stands today. So we know the image was captured prior to construction of the Duluth Arena in 1966. Are there any other clues in there? (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #39
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips
In the year 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage
Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends in Duluth or on picnics and cabin retreats in the region.
(more…)
Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash – “Wanted Man” (Duluth mention)
Duluth mentioned at 2:32, Hibbing mentioned at 3:18 with a derisive laugh.
Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941
On Feb. 1, 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage
- Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends in Duluth or on picnics and cabin retreats in the region.
The Goldfines Go East
In the year 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair.
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage.
- Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends at leisure in Duluth or elsewhere in the region.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #38
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #37: Outdoor Sports Edition
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Postcard from the Rustic Bridge at Lester Park in 1910
The message on this postcard of the Rustic Bridge and Pavilion in Lester Park is dated Jan. 21, 1910, and postmarked Jan. 22. The sender’s name isn’t easy to read, but the recipient is Henry Seeam of Rice Lake, Wis. (more…)
Postcard from old Duluth Post Office and Incline Pavilion
This postcard was mailed Jan. 15, 1910. The image is referred to on the back of the card as depicting “Duluth about 18 years ago,” which would be 1892, the year the Beacon Hill Pavilion opened at the top of the Duluth Incline. (more…)
History of the Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club
Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club marked its 90th anniversary in December with the release of this documentary, written and produced by Kim Waller. ARAC was founded on Dec. 3, 1929 with the mission to promote the growth and enjoyment of ham radio in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #36: Engwall Edition
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Postcards from the Kitchi Gammi Club
This postcard was mailed 100 years ago today — Jan. 12, 1920. It shows the clubhouse of the Kitchi Gammi Club, which opened six years before the postcard hit the mailbag. The building still stands at 831 E. Superior St., and the organization is still active. The Kitchi Gammi Club formed in 1883, making it the oldest incorporated club in Minnesota. (more…)
Duluth Schools of the 1890s
Courtesy of the New York Public Library and Google Books, detailed Duluth School Board annual reports from 125 years ago are available online to geek out on.
Links:
Report of the Board of Education of the City of Duluth, Minnesota (1891 to 1894)
Report of the Board of Education of the City of Duluth, Minnesota (1895 to 1901) (more…)
Postcard from the Spalding Hotel: “Duluth’s Popular Rendezvous”
This undated postcard, printed by Brown & Bigelow of St. Paul, depicts the Spalding Hotel in Downtown Duluth. The back of the card notes the Spalding was “Duluth’s Popular Rendezvous” and offered a coffee shop, cocktail lounge and bar.
The Spalding opened at 428 W. Superior St. on June 6, 1889 and was demolished on Sept. 25, 1963.