History Posts

Minnesota in the ’70s: Sigurd Olson, Reserve Mining Case, etc.

This 2013 Twin Cities Public Television documentary provides a few snippets related to the state’s northeast corner, including Duluth. The show was produced with the Minnesota Historical Society Press and inspired by the book Minnesota in the ’70s by Dave Kenney and Thomas Saylor.

Duluth Arrow Chevrolet

The Arrow Chevrolet West was on the corner of Grand Avenue and 59th Avenue West — the modern-day location of City Center West. (Photo via University of Minnesota Duluth Archives and Special Collections)

I am looking for folks with information about either Duluth location of Arrow Chevrolet — West Duluth or Downtown.

Chevy dealers across the country were sponsors of the Soap Box Derby and I am hoping to get a few folks to respond with their memories of the Arrow Chevrolet clinics and parts distribution. Did you race the Soap Box Derby? What memories of the Chevy dealers do you have?

John F. Kennedy’s 1963 Duluth Speech

Sixty years ago today — Sept. 24, 1963 — President John F. Kennedy spoke in Duluth during the Northern Great Lakes Region Land and People Conference. The event was held in the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Physical Education Building.

Postcard from the Rocky Shores of Lake Superior

This undated postcard, circa 1970, was published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The caption on the back read: “Rocky Shores Along the Circle Route of Lake Superior.”

Zombie Media at the Superior Public Library Sale

At the Superior Public Library Sale, I saw many things I’ve never seen before. I saw someone come by and buy all of the VHS tapes. (Luckily, I saw them before he did — there was nothing I liked.) I understand that there is a collector market for VHS, as movies that were never issued to DVD and will likely not be streaming are only found on that medium.

Postcard from the Superior YMCA

This century-old postcard shows the old YMCA building at Ogden Avenue and 14th Street in Superior. Though the card is postmarked, the year is not legible.

Why Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station in Cloquet

American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright designed many famous buildings, museums and houses — including a gas station in Cloquet. Twin Cities Public Television Reporter Kaomi Lee explores the architectural destination in this video.

Mystery Photos: Duluth Counterfeiters of 1883

From left to right: Charles Chambers, James McGovern and Frank Watters

It was on this date 140 years ago — Sept. 10, 1883 — that the first arrests were made in connection to a counterfeiting operation at a Duluth grocery store.

Postcards from the Launching of a 600-foot Freighter

Although the postcard caption above reads “Launching of a 600 ft Freighter, Duluth, Minn.,” the vessel in the image appears to be the SS Edward Y. Townsend, which was built in Superior.

Duluth-area School Pin-back Buttons

Be true to your school and let your colors fly. Collected here are various pin-back buttons promoting schools in, or near, Duluth.

Soap Box Derby History

I am looking to talk to folks who might have a memory of being in Duluth’s Soap Box Derby — either on London Road but especially the last few years that it was in Hartley Park.

The elm tree in the center of the photo above stood in the stream bank where the old farm road/junction of Stornaway Street was until the blowdown of 2016. The photo is from Hartley Nature Center where the Dale Mell’s 1964 derby car is displayed.

Postcard from the Grain Elevators on the Duluth-Superior Harbor

This undated postcard shows the Cargill and Belt Line grain elevators on the Duluth-Superior Harbor a good long while ago.

PDD Shop Talk: Final words on the first 20 years

The Latelys performed on the outdoor stage at Bent Paddle Brewing on June 29 during PDDXX: Perfect Duluth Day’s 20th Birthday Party.

It’s been two months since Perfect Duluth Day celebrated its 20th anniversary. The speed of life hasn’t allowed much time for reflection and gratitude, so this post is an attempt to jam that in so we can properly push forward with the next 20 years.

Video Archive: Bagley Family in 1932 and 1937

Duluth’s 50-acre Bagley Nature Area gets its name from Dr. William R. Bagley, who gifted the land to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Dr. Bagley’s hobby was nature photography. He was known to use a camera mounted on the stock of a gun in pursuit of wild animal photos. His family home movies, however, were probably not shot using wooden parts from weaponry.

One Great Lake. Two Great Cities.

Early 1980s Twin Ports tourism newspaper ad.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!