History
Rick Boo, Hot Rod and Hung at the NorShor
(Note: This post originally linked to a slideshow about the NorShor’s history, which is why comments to the post rave about time travel.)
The NorShor Theatre’s Mighty Tower
In preparation for the events this week honoring the Orpheum Theatre’s centennial at the NorShor, Tony Dierckins put together a slide show with some fantastic historical photographs. You can see the whole thing on Saturday — it’ll be looping in the NorShor’s balcony theater — but here’s one of my favorite images:
This is the tower that used to be part of the theater’s marquee. You’ve probably seen photos of it from the other direction, but this one uniquely looks out over the lake. The tower stood 65 feet above the theater, weighed over 300 tons, and was completely sheathed in porcelain. It used 3,000 lights and was said to be visible from 60 miles away.
Fishing for Fossils – Sneak Peek Exhibit!
Did you know prehistoric sharks once swam Northland waters and crocodiles roamed our region? These are just two surprising facts revealed in “Fishing for Fossils,” a special month-long exhibit opening Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Great Lakes Aquarium. It will run through Labor Day Weekend.
The exhibit features numerous fossils of ancient fish and creatures that once inhabited what is now the Great Lakes Basin. Some fossil artifacts are part of the Aquarium’s in-house collection, and others are on loan from outside sources, including Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet, Minn.
Hill Annex Mine State Park is rich with fossils, dating back to before the glaciers. The iron ore deposit that spans the Iron Range is the shoreline of a vast, ancient inland sea. It is riddled with fossil deposits from prehistoric times, including teeth from sharks and crocodiles, plus evidence of ancient invertebrates. Fossil finds in other areas covered by this ancient sea include the remains of plesiosaurs and other giant aquatic reptiles from the age of dinosaurs.
The Life and Brawls of Thomas Madden — former chief of West Duluth Police, saloon keeper and old fashioned thug
This post is a follow up to the post requesting information about Duluth’s old bowery district. The focus here is on Tom Madden, who managed to find himself in the news a lot. Set the Wayback Machine for 1891 and we’ll go in chronological order from there.
Dec. 13, 1891 | Duluth News Tribune
WILL IT BE MURDER?
——————————
Patrick Mulligan May Die From Injuries Received From Chief Madden.
Patrick Mulligan, who runs the “Little Diamond saloon on Central avenue, and who had his jaw broken a few days ago at the brickyard bagnio by a blow from ex Chief of Police Madden, was taken yesterday to St. Mary’s hospital, where he is now hovering between life and death. His jaw was set by Dr. Magie a day or two ago, but serious inflammation has set in, and the doctor said yesterday it would probably be necessary to put a silver tube in his throat to enable him to breathe. His case is a very serious one and the chances are even between life and death. (more…)
Were you there?
Duluth Protest
These photos were taken by the late Mark Arvilla. Can you guess where and when these protest photos were taken and were you there?
Bowery Bros. Bowery District?
The old bowery district is a part of Duluth’s history that seems to be forgotten, or at least not talked about too often. Bowery Bros. (new pub with delicious food I might add) is located where Duluth’s bowery district used to be. Kinda cool. Anyone have any old stories about this?
Does anyone have pictures or stories from when the Ripsaw was housed in the Temple Opera Building?
I rent and work out of Room 208 in the Temple Opera Building. Legend has it that the Ripsaw was once published out of this office. I’d love to see some photos and hear some stories about those days in this space.
Spirit Mountain’s Alpine Roller Coaster is pretty neat, but the old Duluth Skyride looks a bit more intimidating
Originally called the Incline Plane Railway, this tram system started service in 1891, carrying passengers up Seventh Avenue West from Superior Street to Ninth Street. The photo above makes it look downright terrifying.
And, of course, there was one day in which it was indeed a terrifying ride, though no one was on it.
On May 28, 1901, a fire started in a coal bin in the engine room of the powerhouse. Wind carried the fire to the pavilion at the top of the incline. The heat of the fire melted the tram cables, and a burning trolley raced down to Superior Street, where it crashed into Superior Street Station. No one was injured.
Hot!
Yet another reason to drink beer
From a June 1915 Fitger’s newspaper ad.
Downtown Sales
You may have noticed in the past month or so that the old sign has been removed from the Lange Motor Building, best known as the location of the former Carlson Book store, revealing an older sign for Downtown Sales.
What was Downtown Sales? It was an odds and ends store that preceded Bob Carlson’s bookstore venture. Does anyone remember anything about it? We’re talking late 1970s.
R. O. Carlson Used Book & Record closed in March 2003. Big Lake Book had a short run after that, followed by Boardwalk Book. Rod Raymond and Tim Nelson own the building now, which is being gutted of literally tons of old water-damaged books and magazines. No word on future plans.
This part of Superior Street used to be called “Automobile Row,” up until about the 1960s. The Carlson Book building was home to Interstate Auto Co., Kent Motors, Lange Motors and probably a bazillion other businesses.
So there’s a half-ass history outline. Fill in the blanks if you know anything.
Awesome Duluth Postcard Site
I’m sure this has been posted before on here, but this is a site I found a few years back. It’s a mind blowing collection of old Duluth postcards:
Moccasin Mike
I have a question — everyone knows to take Moccasin Mike Road to Wisconsin Point, but does anyone know who Moccasin Mike was? It is such a cool name. I’m jealous.
Willie the cop gets his badge pinned to his ass on Raleigh Street
One of the stories that has long been passed around West Duluth is that, many years ago, perhaps the 1920s, some guys from the ol’ Raleigh Street Gang handcuffed a cop to a pole or a post and pinned his badge to his ass. (more…)
What’s the date?
Does anyone know what 5894 A.L. stands for?
Bathing in Fairmount Park’s Boys’ Pool
This old postcard was sent 100 years ago today. Someone named Mabelle mailed it to Mrs. W. F. Smith of Minong, Wis. It was postmarked in Duluth, Minn., July 16, 1910, 3 p.m. (more…)
The Ojibwe Experience – Learning Opportunities
This week I had a chance to glimpse some of the immense cultural riches of the Ojibwe people who along with other Native American people have occupied this area for thousands of years. And you can check them out too, if you want.
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Dream Job, 1910
I don’t know what he did, but it sounds like a nice gig.
Yesterday in History
Sorry for the belatedness, but I felt I had to acknowledge the 16th anniversary of the release of Guided By Voices’ Bee Thousand, one of my favorite rock albums of all time. Pitchfork has it at #10 in the Top 100 Albums of the ’90s, a tad low if you ask me. I may be slightly obsessed with GBV, but I think this album has something for just about everyone. “I am a Scientist!”
Duke of Duluth?
Superior isn’t the only city that enjoys its suds. This photo was bought at an auction several years ago. On the frame, it is titled “Duke of Duluth.” I know it is not the Duke of Duluth I am thinking of. Notice the great detail of flies on the beer mug. Does anyone one have a clue as to who this guy was? The framed photo served as a traveling photo for a long list of jolly fellows. The name written on the cardboard backing is Gust. Munding, Rush City Minnesota. Was this part of a beer campaign?
Superior reeks with booze and filth
This headline and illustration are from the August 18, 1917 issue of the Duluth Rip Saw. The story is without a byline, but was no doubt written by the paper’s publisher, John L. Morrison.
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Duluth’s Lingering Shame: Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Lynching
Below is the complete text of a story from the June 7, 2000 issue of Duluth’s Ripsaw newspaper.
Duluth’s Lingering Shame
Eighty years ago Duluthians carried out one of the most horrific acts this region has ever seen. How did it happen? Have we changed?
By Heidi Bakk-Hansen
They’re selling postcards of the hanging
They’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless
They need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight
— From Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row”
On June 15, 1920, a mob of 10,000 lynched Isaac McGhie, Elias Clayton and Elmer Jackson at the corner of First Street and Second Avenue East in Duluth. (more…)
Speaking of the old Viking
Isn’t it about time for some kind of consensus on the proper rendering of the name?
Leif Ericson
Leif Erickson
Leif Ericsson
Leifr Eiraksson
Leif Erikson
Leifur Eiricksson
Lsif Erickson
What is your favorite Anglicisation? I think we can settle on “Leif” for the first name. The patronym seems to most often be either “Erickson,” “Ericson,” or “Erikson.” Duluth needs a referendum on this.
A Different Kind of Duluth Pack
I read with interest the post about the Duluth Pack on eBay. Here is a photo of an unidentified pack. Maybe someone has some information on this one.