History
Van Halen at Duluth Arena, 1978 and ’79
A while back we started a master list of concerts at the DECC (formerly Duluth Arena) to help people sort out their fuzzy memories of rocking out back in the day. Since the list is kind of a slap together of info submitted to PDD in comments, it contains some incomplete and inaccurate information. (We would like it to be complete and accurate, but that would require a level of diligence we are unwilling to accept.)
We received a note over the weekend from PDD user “duluthyouth” pointing out that “Eddie Money opened for Van Halen in 1979, not who you had listed.”
A search through newspaper microfilm found no review of the 1979 concert, but the advertisement above (from the Duluth News Tribune) indicates “special guests” and specifically notes the band Screams is on the bill. (more…)
Duluth RecyclaBell
For the sake of Duluth music history, and inspired by a reunion show, we take a look back at the RecyclaBell and the mid-1990s Duluth music scene. (more…)
Merv Griffin “Christmas City” B-Side
Some people may not know that in addition to the Merv Griffin Duluth-themed classic “Christmas City,” which was written for the Christmas City of the North Parade, there is also a B-side to the 45 RPM single that was released back in 1962. It’s called “The Song of the Christmas City.”
Also a song written with Duluth in mind (and worked into the song lyrics), this one is more of a slow jam compared to Christmas City’s more upbeat jingle-bell jive. The song features addition vocals by one Maureen Reynolds who I couldn’t find any information on. Apparently she’s off the grid.
You can download good vinyl rips of both tunes to add to your own Christmas playlist right here. Enjoy!
50 years of being “nice-icle”
Merv Griffin recorded this precious little ditty in 1962. Happy Christmas City of the North Parade everyone!
Location of the old ski jump in Fond du Lac
I know there was a ski jump in the Fond du Lac neighborhood, close to Mission Creek. I’ve been on the trails on that steep hillside and have found a small concrete pad in the woods, pretty close to Mission Creek. Would the ski jump have been near this small pad? Also, on top of the big hill I have found some overgrown, wide trails that almost look like they could’ve been some type of maintenance/service trails for the ski jump. Is this related to the old ski jump?
History on the Hill: LakeVoice reporters explore Duluth’s untold stories
Student journalists at LakeVoice News have recently published their first collection of stories for the fall 2012 issue of LakeVoice News. The collection is called History on the Hill and it explores the untold stories about Duluth’s historic places.
The students went around the city, observing people, exploring neighborhoods and learning about the fascinating history of Duluth’s third places.
Historic memorabilia found at Northland Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial
Video Archive: Louis Jenkins reading in 1976
These clips are from the short film From the Museroom: A Sampler of Minnesota Poets, shot in 1976 during a Poetry Collective benefit at the Firehouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Above: “Violence on Television.” Below: “Dream of Wealth.” (more…)
Select Images from Denfeld’s 1921 Oracle
The images in this post are all from various collages in the 1921 yearbook, so unfortunately they were about one-inch-high and don’t look very sharp when blown up. In gallery form, however, they are adequate enough. (more…)
Remembering the Duluth Bicycle Tree
An old “Where in Duluth?” post reminded me of the “Bicycle Tree” near the College of St. Scholastica. Eight years ago, or longer, a collection of bikes started growing on a tree … or whatever happened. I actually never saw it, I only heard about it. Fortunately, Tony Rogers has a whole gallery of photos from 2004.
Duluth Gig Posters: 1976 to 2012
This little collection has more than 500 images, but is always growing. You can help add to the collection by sending jpegs to paul @ perfectduluthday.com or just uploading them to the comments.
Click on any of the thumbnails to see the full image and begin a slideshow. If you are on a phone, tap to view individual posters.
2012
Marty Mann Halfway House
The sweatshirt/T-shirt pictured here (image no longer available at source) has the name “Marty Mann” on it and an unusual design. Does anyone know if this was issued by the Marty Mann Halfway House in Duluth? Marty Mann was one of the first women in Alcoholics Anonymous and founded the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Last Place on Earth — 1983
I grew up in Northern Wisconsin, about as far north as you could go and still be in Wisconsin. Picture Lake Superior. See where it looks like a pointing finger? We were the very tip of that finger, where Wisconsin meets Minnesota. In fact, for all intents and purposes we were Minnesota. OK. That’s just a lie I tell to make myself feel better about being from Superior, Wisconsin.
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Spirit Valley Fresh Farm Market
Was the place with the Spirit Valley Fresh Farm Market sign a farmers’ market at one time? As near as I can tell, the answer is yes. I can’t really verify it was a farmers’ market, or provide any details about how it operated, but the 1984 city directory does list a “Spirit Valley Fresh Farm Market” at 5831 Grand Ave. in West Duluth. Karen H. Linder was listed as the proprietor. (more…)
Whatever happened to the Canal Park Holiday Inn?
The old Holiday Inn in Duluth was located in Canal Park, just down from downtown, and this was before all the new development happened in Canal Park. In the 1980s, it had its name changed to something else. I don’t remember what that name was, or if the building is even still there. Can anyone bring me up to date?
Town of Bell Cemetery, 1902 to 1915
Out in Bayfield County Wisconsin is the small town of Bell (within which is the more well-known unincorporated place of Cornucopia). Two little secret spots in Bell are the old 23-grave cemetery (photos above) and the Lost Creek Falls Trail (photos of that to come in a future post).
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Minnesota Chippewa could cease to exist by 2080
I’m not sure if that headline is sufficiently dramatic, or maybe overly dramatic, but I am just having trouble wrapping my head around this chart from the September 2012 (PDF link) Fond du Lac Tribal Newspaper (Nahgahchiwanong Dibahjimowinnan).
It shows the Fond du Lac people falling into a demographic abyss. Disappearing as a people by 2080. (more…)
Duluth Album Releases in 2009
Ben Durbin’s Modern Antiques
Sweet Precious Time
(Feb. 20)
Available on YouTube
The Moon is Down
The Moon is Down’s Excellent Adventure
Automation Records Media Conglomerate (March 19)
Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
Traveling Show
Available at consideritcorrespondence.com
Duluth Album Releases in 2008
Number One Common
Secrets Lies and Alibis
(Jan. 1)
Available on Bandcamp
Tangier 57
Last Night Never Happened EP
(March 7)
Available on Bandcamp
The Keep Aways
Decay
(March 7)
Available on Bandcamp
Two Many Banjos
Trouble in Paradise
(April 23)
Available on CD Baby
Who cares?
This Duluth campaign sign from 2001 is my all-time favorite. I think what Dan Williams might have intended to suggest was that he was the answer to the question — he cares. But no one took it that way.
Williams was running for the Fourth District City Council seat. He was knocked out in the primary by Roger Reinert and Neill Atkins. Atkins eventually won, topping Reinert by 18 votes.
Chief Osaugie Gathering on Wisconsin Point
Interview with Donna Ennis Chief Osaugie Descendant
httpv://youtu.be/5Orqd6S1i6g
This has come up on PDD before, but I did this interview with Donna Ennis today and I thought it was something to share. Romance, intrigue, ancient ceremonies, and even a shameful grave desecration make an appearance in just 8 short minutes of community radio.
I haven’t posted in awhile, it’s been a busy summer this gives you a little idea of where I’ve been, I guess.
Duluth Album Releases in 2007
Trampled by Turtles
Trouble
(March 19)
Available on iTunes
Low
Drums and Guns
Sub Pop Records (March 20)
Available on Bandcamp
The Hotel Coral Essex
Glisten
(April 27)
Available on Bandcamp
Henry Brick
Since the subject of Henry Brick came up in the “Bring back the bricks!” post, I thought I’d offer some background by way of a retrospective article I wrote 15 years ago for the Budgeteer News.
The man who saved downtown
By Paul Lundgren
Budgeteer News
June 1, 1997
The bricking of Downtown Duluth’s First Street in 1984 created traffic problems, parking hassles and unpleasant noise and dust. Retail shoppers took their money elsewhere. Superior Street was next on the bricking list in the summer of ’85, and business owners feared the effect on business would be similarly disastrous.
Then came Mr. Henry R. Brick, clad in overalls, flannel shirt, black bowtie, hard hat and horn-rimmed glasses. He starred in 38 television commercials that summer, encouraging shoppers to “come on down and jaywalk” through torn up Superior Street. They did.
Henry Brick quickly became one of the most highly recognized people in Duluth. When the construction was finally completed and the future of downtown secure, he disappeared – like any superhero would.
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The 1940s: From our floors to you
Remodeling our hillside home has been a largely subtractive process involving a complex stratigraphy of floor, wall, and ceiling coverings. Thus far, we’ve taken out carpet, panelling, linoleum, lath and plaster (fun, that), dimensional 8′ 2×4 studs that are so dried out they can’t weigh more than 5 pounds, and quite a lot of charred stuff from at least one historical fire. We’ve also uncovered a fair number of newspapers from the late war/early prewar period. While I’m sure all of this is available in some or other archive, finding it on our floor has a magical quality I wanted to share. Enjoy, and suggestions on the non-English language are appreciated (Finnish?).
