History
Duluth’s Oneota Football Squad – 1915
I’m not sure if these are junior high students from Oneota School or if they are high school kids and this is a community team for the Oneota neighborhood (part of West Duluth). Denfeld didn’t have an official football team until 1917.
I don’t know the names of any of the players, except the guy sitting cross-legged in the middle — he’s my great uncle, Sam Brassard. (Yep, Uncle Sam.)
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Going Through Old Files
Circa 2003.
Could any of these gals still be around?
As you can see, this picture is dated 1919. The girls look to be of elementary school age, so maybe one of them is still around today.
The location of the picture is the old Denfeld High School on Central Avenue, which is now Laura MacArthur Elementary School. There must have been elementary classes in the old Denfeld, or these are just random kids from the neighborhood, because none of them look old enough to be in high school.
The old Denfeld/MacArthur building will be torn down after the new MacArthur is built, but hopefully the old house in the background will keep on keepin’ on.
Derby racing in Hartley
Anyone remember when they had Soap Box Derby races in Hartley back in 1961-1968? I’m writing an article on it for a class and would love any help, information or photos that anyone may know or have!
Thanks!
Lauren
NorShor Centennial
A post from Feb. 3 about the Ripsaw’s history featured some comments about the NorShor Theatre’s history, which led to an interesting point:
The NorShor Theater turns 100 this year.
And so I put this question to PDD’s history detectives: What is the exact date the NorShor–then the Orpheum Theatre–first opened its doors?
UPDATE: As Gea reports, the magic date is Aug. 22, 1910.
Panoramas of Duluth over time
Check out more at the Library of Congress site.
Adams School in Duluth’s West End
School faculty must have thought this was a major pain, but I think in the long run it proves worthwhile to drag an entire student body out to pose for a photo in front of the building.
Adams School was built in 1885 at 1721 W. Superior St., serving children in Duluth’s West End neighborhood. Architects of the building were McMillen and Stebbins.
The school closed in 1951, and was demolished in 1960.
Remembering the Ripsaw’s Transition
It’s been 10 years since the Ripsaw published the last of its monthly scandal sheets and converted to an “alternative newsweekly” format. Here’s a look back at the old monthly editions of Duluth’s most infamous rag.
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That’s Trouble of Some Kind, George
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMfXAVM4Bl8
Previously unseen amateur video of Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Ski Jumping at Chester Bowl
You know you’ve always wanted to see somebody go off those jumps at Chester Bowl, now you can.
Just in time for the Olympics, learn about Duluth’s world-class ski jumping history, and support both Chester Bowl and WDSE public television at the same time. Come take in a movie and hear some stories from Chester’s ski jumping legends. Kid-friendly early and late showings, conveniently overlapping the Paul Lundgren Happy Hour right upstairs.
The Ski Flyers: a Jumping Tradition, including additional archival footage of ski jumpers
Wed Feb 10, 5:30 and 7:00 pm Zinema2
Tickets: $3 for 5:30 show, $5 for 7:00 show. Seating is limited; advance tickets and more info are available at this link. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Brewhouse Triathlon, 1927
Well …
So, when do we bring back the Winter Frolic?
I found this on the now-defunct Duluth Public Library Reference Blog. You think skijoring is fun? Try motorcycle skijoring on the lake ice.
Traditional Ojibwe Opening Ceremony for UMD Library Exhibit
“Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country,” a national traveling exhibition, is on display in the UMD Library fourth floor rotunda reading room. The public is invited to a traditional Ojibwe opening ceremony in UMD’s Weber Music Hall at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 15. The ceremony will include drumming, prayer, and welcome statements at the Weber, followed by a reception and viewing of the exhibit on the fourth floor of the UMD Library. Refreshments will be provided by Friends of the Duluth Public Library. Call 218-726-8130 for more information.
The exhibit, which tells the story of the explorers’ historic 1804-1806 expedition from the point of view of the Indians who lived along the route, is available for viewing during all hours when the UMD Library is open. You can learn more about the exhibit and check the library hours by going to the UMD Library web site:
Duluth Quarterback Club?
Does anyone have info on or remember a place called the Quarterback Club? It was up by where the mall is now during the 1960s, I think.
Park Point Park cabin?
On the hiking trail at the end of Park Point, there’s an old cabin on the harbor side. Does anyone know the story behind this cabin? I read that there used to be several “settlers cabins,” perhaps this is the one remaining settler cabin? I can also of course speculate about blacklisted Finnish bachelors, but I suspect folk on PDD know the real story.
Coal Train (Soultrane?)
Parked (?) train blocks view of Lake Superior from https://duluthdailyphoto.vox.com/
I thought this was intended as a temporary winter seawall.
But Duluth Daily photo (above) and later the Duluth News Tribune had some good coverage of this that straightened me out, apparently these coal cars are just being stored on those tracks, even though they do sit in a storm prone spot. Now, DNT’s Brandon Stahl writes that the train will be moved to Leif Ericson Park. (more…)
Suburbs Memories
If anyone has fun memories of going to a Suburbs show especially in Duluth please post them in the comments. I want to read them on my radio show today between sets of awesome Suburbs music.
R.I.P. Bruce Allen.
Holy X-Comm! Holiday Book Sale and Author Signing!
Duluth Publishers Holy Cow! Press and X-communication have teamed up for this very special sale and author signings
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009; noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Spiritual Deli, 3 West Superior Street, Duluth
Details:
– 10% of proceeds go to the Duluth chapter of C.H.U.M.
– All prices greatly reduced-up to 66% off!
– Refreshments will be served
Special: Spend $20 on X-Comm titles and receive a free book or historic art print of the Aerial Transfer Bridge, Incline Railway, Enger Tower, or Old Central and Minnesota Point from the top of the hillside (scroll down to see examples on flyer).
(Note: We do not have credit card capability at these events, so please bring cash or checks.)
Author Signing Schedule:
Chuck Frederick – Leatherheads of the North: The Duluth Eskimos – 12 – 1 pm
Duluth Poet Laureate Jim Johnson – Dovetailed Corners – 1 – 2 pm
Denny Anderson – Good Night, Everybody…and Be Kind – 2 – 3 pm
Jim Heffernan – Cooler Near the Lake: Collected Columns – 2:30 – 4 pm
Anthony Bukoski – Twelve Below Zero – 3 – 4 pm
Jim Perlman – Beloved on the Earth – 12 – 4 pm
Tony Dierckins – Crossing the Canal: Duluth’s Aerial Bridge – 12 – 4 pm
Zayre Shoppers’ City Discount Department Store in West Duluth
The West Duluth Memories page on Facebook has a bunch of old West Duluth photos, including some of Shoppers’ City, posted by Roger Nesje.
Duluth Arena Pro Wrestling Photos from the 1980s — Killer Khan and so on
Killer Khan wrestled at the Duluth Arena on Aug. 8, 1987. The infamous Mr. Fuji is in the background of the top photo.
Nick Bockwinkel was special guest referee on a different card.
Duluth TV ads from 1970
Eight classic TV spots from 1970, in all their sexiness. (more…)
More retro Duluth TV
Someone just posted a bunch of old WDIO news, sports and weather promos on YouTube. Here is an assortment of 1970s-era holiday spots — lots of glimpses of old TV news sets and technology … and a brief appearance by Dennis Anderson. (more…)
Wrestling at UMD
As a former wrestler I found this article quite interesting. I remember visiting UMD and looking at the conference Champ Pennants up at the fieldhouse.