History Posts

Yoerg’s Brewery

Jul 06, 2014 2 Comments

On this date 165 years ago — July 6, 1849 — Bavarian immigrant Anthony Yoerg opened Minnesota’s first brewery in St. Paul.

Interesting side note on Yoerg’s Brewery: In 1871 the operation moved to a spot adjacent to the Lilydale caves. Yoerg used the natural caves to store his product, and added the phrase “cave-aged” to the label. There are a number of places online to read about Yoerg’s Brewery, but of particular interest is the Substreet underground history site, which profiles Yoerg’s lost cellars.

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History

Lost Iron Range

Jul 04, 2014 No Comments

For your Independence Day pleasure, one hour and four minutes of Iron Range history from the fine folks at WDSE-TV.

The persecution of Jews in Russia and Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century led many to flee to a safer place where they could build a future for their families. America was the land of opportunity and Minnesota’s Iron Range in particular was booming with the mining industry. The Range was also a place where a mosaic of ethnic groups was building communities without fear of prejudice. Subsequently the Iron Range saw a large influx of Jewish settlers.


History, Videos

Duluth Scavenger Hunts

Jun 28, 2014 7 Comments

Above is KBJR-TV video from the Duluth Citywide Scavenger Hunt of 2004. Last month Scavaganza was put on by Youth for Duluth. What other scavenger hunts can you recall from day’s past?

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History, Videos

Postcards from Duluth’s Lester Park

Jun 17, 2014 18 Comments

Big Falls at Lester Park Brook Trout Fishing - Lester River

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History, Photos ,

Inducing the gay and frolicsome lumberjack to stop in Duluth

Jun 09, 2014 6 Comments

From the March 22, 1909, Duluth Evening Herald:

Auto ride for drunks
New police patrol will be in service next week
“Free ride with every jag” for every woodsman

Duluth’s new automobile police patrol wagon is due to arrive in the city next Friday. After a few trial trips on local hills, it probably will be put in active service the following Monday.

For several years past certain interests in Duluth have been trying to devise ways and means to induce the gay and frolicsome lumberjack to stop off here and spend his money.

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History

Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse: A few pre-fire photos of the adjoining bar

Jun 09, 2014 1 Comment

The May 11 fire that destroyed the processing area of Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse in Knife River didn’t do much damage to the adjoining bar area, but nonetheless I thought I’d share some pre-fire snapshots I took of it in the fall of 2012, before it got “smoked” … so to speak. (The shot above is obviously of the fire, taken from the smokehouse’s Facebook page.)

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History, Photos, Restaurants

Mystery Photo #16: Holm’s Kaffe Stuga

Jun 08, 2014 5 Comments

Holm's Kaffe - Fond du Lac

This photo is labeled “Holm’s Kaffe Stuga, Fond du Lac, Duluth, Minn.” From that we can assume the Fond du Lac neighborhood had a Swedish coffee cottage at some time in history. When? Where? And who is this Holm character?


History, Photos , ,

Duluth Public Library dedication riot

May 31, 2014 5 Comments

Does anyone remember that in the early 1970s there was a dedication for the groundbreaking of the new Duluth Public Library, and suddenly a group of war protesters, marching down Michigan Street, were raided by the police.

I was about 4 years old and remember seeing the cops using their billy clubs to best long-hair teenagers.

Does anyone remember any details?


History

The more things change …

May 27, 2014 1 Comment

A 1972 cartoon featured in the book “Minnesota in the 70s.”


History

“Such a delightful time”

May 23, 2014 4 Comments

July 1909 — Seven billion gallons of water falls on the Duluth area in two days. Grass, trees, timbers, paving blocks, mud and debris are washed down the city’s hillside during the torrential rainfall. Two children drown after being swept out of their mother’s arms.

Within two weeks a postcard is made, and the mood on the back doesn’t quite seem to fit the mood on the front.

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History, Photos

Duluth Mystery Photo #15: Honor Brand

May 18, 2014 12 Comments

This photo from 1910 depicts “Mrs. Goldsmith and associates ready to demonstrate Honor Brand pure food products at the Pure Food Show, Duluth.” That tells us quite a bit, but here’s the question(s): Where was the Pure Food Show held? What is the location of this photo? Is it an existing building or long-demolished one? Does anyone recognize that ceiling?

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History, Photos

Mystery Cable?

May 15, 2014 4 Comments

While stopped at the stoplight at Superior Street and Second Avenue East this morning, I noticed a cable strung diagonally across the intersection. The cable is strung between Old City Hall and the Temple Opera building. It is a plain steel cable, not holding up any sort of utility cable. The cable looks fairly old, based upon the brackets fastened to the buildings. Anyone have any idea as to it’s purpose?  Lightning? Keeping one of the buildings from falling over? Old traffic signals?


History ,

Happy 60th anniversary, Sammy’s Pizza

Apr 30, 2014 No Comments

It all began 60 years ago. Sam and Louise Perrella moved their small cafe from Keewatin to Hibbing. And with that move, expanded the menu with pizza. Sam had learned about the Italian item from the men who worked in the mines.


History, Restaurants, Videos

Video Archive: Light Up the NorShor 2004

Apr 24, 2014 No Comments

Here we are, ten years later, and the marquee at the NorShor hasn’t quite been lit up yet … but it seems like we’re getting close.

The “Light Up the NorShor” fashion show fundraiser was held on Feb. 28, 2004. There must be a video of the entire event somewhere; I seem to remember it aired on public access TV. The show was organized by Adeline Wright and Laura Scheu (who became Laura Ness two months later).


History, Videos , ,

Duluth Mystery Photo #14: Ice Monument

Apr 20, 2014 8 Comments

The caption on this postcard reads: “Ice Formation on Fountain at Lakewood, Duluth, Minn.” There was a big fountain in Lakewood Township?

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History, Photos , ,
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