History
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #46: Grand Finale
Here it is, the last one in the set of trivia cards from an old board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Northeastern Minnesota COVID-19 Community Archive Project
Hello, PDD Community!
Imagine that 100 years from now you are researching the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in Northeastern Minnesota. It’s easy to find dry statistics and numbers, but you want more. What were people thinking and feeling during this time? What informational materials and public art did they create? How were they helping each other? What did the day-to-day experience of this time look like in Duluth?
What if there were an archive of those experiences for you to explore? (more…)
The 2005 Duluth Art Institute Riot
Academic and Critical Excerpts, collated and footnoted by the Richardson brothers (Jim and Allen Richardson) (more…)
Who (or what) was Sonny?
This 1910 Duluth postcard raises at least one large looming question. (more…)
Masonic Temple, Duluth, Minn.
The Duluth Masonic Temple at 4 W. Second St. opened 115 years ago — March 24, 1905, and continues to operate today as the Duluth Masonic Center. (more…)
The Value of Duluth Telephone Service in 1920
This advertisement in the March 9, 1920 issue of the Duluth Herald notes Duluth had 20,706 telephones. (more…)
The Richardson brothers in the book “Haunted Minnesota”
This post could also be called “Bigfoot and Us.”
Starting in 1998, my brother Allen and I wrote a “weird science” column called “Gonzo Science” for the alternative Duluth newsweekly Ripsaw. (more…)
Superintendents of Duluth Public Schools, 1870 to 2020
Minnesota’s Independent School District #709 was led by 29 individuals during its first 150 years. For the historical record we list here the superintendents of Duluth Public Schools from 1870 to 2020. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #45
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
PDD Quiz: Prohibition in the Twin Ports
To mark the centennial of the start of nationwide Prohibition, this week’s quiz explores how residents of the Twin Ports adapted to (and circumvented) laws banning alcohol.
The Zenith City website, the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center collections, and the book Naturally Brewed, Naturally Better: The Historic Breweries of Duluth and Superior by Pete Clure and Tony Dierckins were all invaluable sources of research for this quiz.
The next PDD quiz, reviewing headlines from March 2020, will be published on March 29. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by March 26. (more…)
Do you know? Facts about Duluth from 1920
From Feb. 23 to March 25 of 1920 the Duluth Herald newspaper published a daily fact about Duluth on its front page. Some are pretty interesting, some are kind of silly. All in all, it’s a fun snapshot of what Duluth was bragging about a century ago. (more…)
Postcard from Astor Trading Post
This undated postcard depicts a replica of the American Fur Company trading post at Fond du Lac, which opened in 1935 at Chambers Grove Park in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood and was demolished in the late 1960s.
The original fur post operated from 1817 to 1847 at the present-day site of Historical Park, just a bit downstream from Chambers Grove Park along the St. Louis River. (more…)
Searching for Descendants of the Duluth Tooth-puller Incident
Perfect Duluth Day readers might remember a post featuring an unusual story from 1903 about a crazed Finlander and unwanted dentistry. Minnesota filmmaker Joshua Carlon is exploring a short documentary about the event and is looking for any descendants of the parties involved who would be interested in being interviewed on camera regarding the incident.
The only named parties in the event are the Finlander John Simonson, Police Chief Troyer, Officer O’Neill and one victim, a Mrs. Elaison of 329 St. Croix Avenue.
If any PDD readers are related to this event or have connections to anyone who might be, please reach out to Josh at josh @ jcarlon.com.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #44
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Mystery Photo #103: Girl with Curls
What’s the deal with this curly haired lass? Was she a Duluthian? (more…)
Video Archive: Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team 2005
Last year John King announced he would end his annual series of videos reviewing the finest hair styles at the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament. Well, he didn’t. But that’s no reason not to dig into the archives and feature the original Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team of 2005, created for the short-lived TV program The Show to be Named Later.
Cade Fairchild of Duluth East makes the team for his “Ogie Ogilthorpe look,” and East Head Coach Mike Randolph gets special recognition for his “Lloyd Christmas look.”
PDD Video Lab: Lester Park, Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds, 1975
In this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken another silent film from Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added music. This time the Duluth scenery includes Lester Park, views from Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds (with two slides going into the water). For music we’ve chosen “Sister Golden Hair,” a chart-topping single by America in 1975.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #43
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
The Promethean, UW-Superior’s student newspaper, turns 100
Throughout the past century the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s student newspaper has seen changes and challenges. Despite funding cuts, scandals and a period of general distrust on campus, The Promethean has stood the test of time. (more…)
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…)