History Posts

Chief Buffalo, Point of Rocks and “The Mayor of Duluth”

Apr 07, 2011 6 Comments

I was reading this month’s new FDL Band Newspaper (PDF) and about halfway through I found a breezy little history piece on Chief Buffalo: Hero of the Lake Superior Ojibwe by historian Christine Carlson. The article was already interesting, then I notice mention of Duluth’s Point of Rocks which has been discussed extensively here on PDD. It sounds like the area surrounding Point of Rocks was selected by Chief Buffalo as part of one of the articles of the Treaty of 1854. The area would have also included Wisconsin Point and much of what is now considered Downtown Duluth and West End/Lincoln Park.

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History, Music, Photos, Politics ,

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Apr 01, 2011 2 Comments

“Take Me Out To The Ball Game” was written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908. These images were shot the same year to help sell the song to the public.

The singer in the video is Edward Meeker, one of Thomas Edison’s technicians. This is how they sold music (sheet music, specifically) back in the day — kind of an early form of music video. These were called illustrated songs. An “illustrator” would stand on stage and sing the song while glass slide images portraying the song’s storyline were projected on a screen. Anywhere from 12 to 16 slides were produced for a song. The last slide was usually the chorus text so audience members could sing along. In this version, I’ve enhanced the chorus with slides from other baseball songs. Illustrated songs were often part of vaudeville and early movie theater programs. Notice the giant wad of Cracker Jacks Katie Casey is enjoying. That’s how it was sold back then.


History, Music, Videos

Where in Duluth?

Mar 31, 2011 6 Comments

Photobucket


History, Photos

Kozy Fire: part deux…

Mar 18, 2011 3 Comments

REBUILDING IS FUTILE!!!


History, R.I.P.

Lake Superior Nuclear Power Plant

Mar 17, 2011 59 Comments

Did you know that Lake Superior was considered for a nuclear power plant site, near Knife River, in the 1960s? It’s scary to think what might have been … but it happened. Check out Jim Heffernan’s blog to learn more.


History

Sacred Heart needs your voice!

Mar 15, 2011 No Comments

The following is from an email by Eric Swanson, Program Coordinator at Sacred Heart Music Center (emphasis added)

Dear Friends of Sacred Heart Music Center,

I am writing you today because of your past support of the Sacred Heart Music Center as either a patron, a donor, a performer or a volunteer. It is through your efforts and contributions that Sacred Heart has been able to continue to provide Duluth with a unique venue for music and the arts and we want you to know how much that support is appreciated.

Now we would like to ask you to lend your voice to our cause and here is how you can help.

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011 the Community Development Committee of the City of Duluth will consider a request from Sacred Heart for a Community Development Block Grant. We are applying for this grant to help pay for major repairs needed to the steeple and roof of the SHMC.

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Events, History

Mike Page, Mike Fitzsimmons and Tom Houle | Duluth graffiti that wouldn’t fade away

Feb 22, 2011 22 Comments

PageFitzsimmonsHoule2010

I first took notice of this graffiti in the late 1980s. It’s on the side of the old West Duluth Hotel building, which for many years now has been home to the Italian Village, along with various other businesses.

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History, Photos , ,

Lost Spaces in Duluth

Feb 19, 2011 11 Comments

I just wanted to put a general question out there for those that know the city better than me:

What are some existing abandoned buildings you know of in Duluth? (Including places that are in the works of being renovated, or even really unique, big interior spaces that aren’t abandoned).


History

Duluth mansion demolition makes way for big box store

Feb 18, 2011 33 Comments

Well, they have begun to tear down the mansion to make way for the mega Walgreens. Some other houses will be torn down, too. See my post The Last Mansion Between Kitchi Gammi Club and 14th Ave. East.


History, News and Current Affairs , , ,

Old photos of West Duluth on Facebook

Feb 18, 2011 No Comments

West Duluth Memories (Duluth, Minnesota)


History, Photos

Duluth library staff revives blog

Feb 17, 2011 4 Comments

After a hiatus of a couple of years, the Duluth Public Library Reference staff has begun posting again on its blog Reference @ Duluth.

Library staff will be providing local history articles and information about reference services at the library.

You can check out the blog at dplreference.wordpress.com or go to the library’s home page duluth.lib.mn.us and click on Local History Blog.


History

Thirteen Moons Anishinaabe Storytelling

Feb 17, 2011 2 Comments

In the Ojibwe tradition there are hundreds of stories, some as old as the earth itself. Traditionally, these stories can only be told when there is snow on the ground. This Saturday about a dozen storytellers will be at the Sawyer Center to share some of these amazing stories. Everyone is welcome, the cost is free, but they are asking people to pre-register at the site.

Here’s a schedule
Fond du Lac Sawyer Center
February 19 1pm-6pm
Free Registration starts at 12:15 pm
3243 Moorhead Road, Sawyer, Minnesota

Here’s Jana Peterson’s article about this event from the Cloquet Pine Journal


Art, Events, History

Historic Housing Project in Morley Heights

Feb 14, 2011 13 Comments

I am a journalism student at UMD, working on a story that involves Morley Heights, a neighborhood in East Duluth. I am curious to learn more about this neighborhood that was once constructed in Barksdale, Wis. Many of the homes were then moved to Duluth for employees working at the Marshall-Wells Company. It has been said that some of these homes were probably purchased from the DuPont Company at Barksdale and then each were floated across the lake to be re-constructed in Morley Heights. If someone has more information on this housing project or a connection with a potential source for my story, I would greatly appreciate it!


History

Quote of the Day

Feb 06, 2011 13 Comments

I have this quote framed and hanging on my wall in my den. I found it when I first moved to Duluth. Thought PDD’ers might be interested.

“Sometimes when I become discouraged, I say to myself, I should have gone to another city to seek my fortune. But then I look over these hills and see the natural beauty of our community, I console myself and wonder — where in all the wide world could I find a view like this?” — Samuel Snively


History

Duluth National Bank

Feb 02, 2011 2 Comments

DuluthNationalBank

Duluth National Bank, now the West End branch of U.S. Bank, was the subject of a “Where in Duluth?” post a month ago, focusing on its burglar alarm. Note that today’s burglar alarm is apparently not the original. It’s rounded at the top, while the one above is flat at the top.

The photo above appears to be circa 1922, which is when the building was built. The bank was founded in 1910, but was located across the avenue from this location.

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History, Photos
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