Duluth MN History from Perfect Duluth Day

Jean Du Luth Farm, Duluth, Minn.

Dec 22, 2016 No Comments

This page from the Dec. 16, 1915 issue of The Breeder’s Gazette is not easy to read in this format, but there’s a funny tidbit in there. Apparently someone at the farm named a cow after J. Proctor Knott, the U.S. Representative from Kentucky who in 1871 ridiculed a bill to subsidize westward expansion of railroads by lampooning Duluth in a famous speech that was later published under the title “The Untold Delights of Duluth.”

From the list of stats in the right column:

14 of Proctor Knott’s first daughters in milk average 428 lbs. fat, official. Half of these are heifer records.

Knott and his speech were the theme of a PDD Quiz back in January.

History Cattle, Proctor Knott

Stolen from Sam Hanson

Dec 21, 2016 4 Comments

This ceramic ashtray raises a few questions, the primary one being: Who was Sam Hanson?

History Queries

Boulevard Lake, Duluth, Minn.

Dec 20, 2016 No Comments

This undated postcard must be showing one of what Duluthians call the “Twin Ponds” these days. Skyline Parkway was commonly referred to as “The Boulevard,” short for Rogers Boulevard, before taking its modern name in 1929.

Duluth’s Cascade Hotel

Dec 19, 2016 1 Comment

“Your home when you’re in Duluth” is the Cascade, “the friendly hotel.” Located on the corner of First Avenue West and Third Street, it features “kitchenette apartments – hotel rooms” that are “transient – residential.”

PDD Quiz: Christmas City, Wonderful City

Dec 18, 2016 1 Comment

You’ve been hearing it. You’ve been humming it. You probably know it by heart. Or do you? How much do you know about Duluth’s official Christmas song? Let’s find out!

History, Music Christmas City of the North Parade, Merv Griffin, PDD Quiz

Duluth, you’re terrific!

Dec 14, 2016 1 Comment

This old plastic grocery bag from the Denfeld Super Valu asserts Duluth is terrific. The grocery store at 4501 Grand Ave. closed in 2001 and was replaced with a Walgreens.

History Grocery Stores, Super Valu, West Duluth

Duluth Square Dance Association Shindig 1975

Dec 12, 2016 2 Comments

From the Sept. 7, 1975, Duluth News Tribune; photos by Charles Curtis.

This is how some of more than 1,000 square dancers looked from the top of the scoreboard in the Duluth Arena Saturday. The terpsichoreans, from a five-state region and Canada, are here through today for Shindig ’75, sponsored by the Duluth Square Dance Association.

History of Itasca: Part 1

Dec 07, 2016 1 Comment

Lilah Crowe, executive director at Itasca County Historical Society, talks about the rich native history of Itasca County in the first of a four-part presentation.

This short-form documentary was produced by A Plus B Productions as part of the Itasca Conversations series.

History, Videos Iron Range

Wild West Liquor Mural, 1996

Dec 05, 2016 1 Comment

This photo is dated Dec. 5, 1996. It’s a shot of the exterior mural on the parking lot side of the former Wild West Liquor, 318 N. Central Ave. in West Duluth.

At the time it was probably a fairly new mural; the liquor store changed its name from West Duluth Liquor to Wild West Liquor at some point in the mid 1990s. I don’t remember when the mural was painted over, but I’d guess the side of the building has been plain white for at least ten years. The liquor store closed in 2015.

The building is being remodeled to open as Zenith Bookstore in summer 2017.

History, Photos West Duluth

Thrift Store Finds: Last Ride on the Incline

Dec 05, 2016 4 Comments

I’m teaching a class that emphasizes writing about place next semester. So I’ve been scrounging thrift stores for examples. Here’s one to share. Is there a copyright-awesome way to secure these old magazines online?

History Queries

All Star Wrestling – Duluth Auditorium – Dec. 4, 1986

Dec 04, 2016 No Comments

The American Wrestling Association brought some of its finest grapplers to Duluth 30 years ago, as the newspaper ad above attests. It was six months before the World Wrestling Federation juggernaut brought a series of shows to the Duluth Arena. The AWA, of course, was a smaller promotion and held its card in the Duluth Auditorium, with the ring placed on the stage the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra typically occupies.

History Pro Wrestling

Duluth’s Hamilton Hotel

Dec 02, 2016 1 Comment

While doing some family research I found a 1927 directory listing for my great grandmother. It showed she worked as a maid at the Hamilton Hotel in Duluth. I can’t find any info regarding this hotel. Every time and everywhere I search it comes up with Hampton Inns or Hamilton Hotels (modern). I’m curious if anyone has any information regarding the history and location.

History, Random Queries

Gold Star Men of West Duluth: An Inventory of Memorial Park Veterans Markers

Dec 01, 2016 3 Comments

As noted in the Perfect Duluth Day story “Planners take another look at West Duluth’s Memorial Park,” a majority of the bronze plates memorializing West Duluth servicemen who died in World War I are either missing or damaged. Above are images of some of the more deteriorated and/or vandalized markers. Of the original 22, just seven remain in place and in good condition.

The markers were planted under trees in 1928 and read: “This tree planted in memory of (name) killed (date) for God and country.”

Derelict West Duluth church bites dust

Nov 30, 2016 1 Comment

Demolition of the former West Duluth Baptist Church at 5907 Grand Ave. is underway. In August the Duluth City Council unanimously approved the plan to tear down the structure, built in 1938.

History, R.I.P. West Duluth

Duluth Square Dance Association Shindig 1976

Nov 30, 2016 No Comments

This clip is from the Sept. 10, 1976, Duluth News-Tribune; photo by Joey McLeister.

Duluth Square Dance Association members let it all out as they prepare for participation in Shindig 1976–Duluth, the third annual square and round dance festival fast becoming a traditional event in the city. Dancing times are from 7:30 to 11:45 p.m. today in the Duluth Arena, and the action continues from 9 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Spectators are welcome and there is no charge.

History Duluth News Tribune, Square Dancing

History Posts