Duluth Library Wildcats Women’s Hockey Team of 1929

Not much is known about the Duluth Library Wildcats. The photo above is from the Duluth Public Library’s Facebook page, and is from a slide titled “Library Wildcats,” found in the staff section of the library’s slides.

“There isn’t a lot more information than that, but a librarian is on the case and she’ll be looking for more on this story,” the library’s Facebook post noted.

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Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #21

Another Duluth Trivia card, from a board game found at Savers, below. (more…)

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National Geographic’s Duluth of 1949

Roy and Edythe Halvorson of Duluth sit in their living room and look out at skiers. Kodachrome photo from National Geographic, September 1949.

National Geographic magazine published a feature story on Minnesota in its September 1949 issue. The article marked Minnesota’s 100th year in legal existence as a territory of the United States.

Duluth, the Iron Range and Superior National Forest were part of the story, titled “Minnesota Makes Ideas Pay,” which features numerous photos by B. Anthony Stewart and Jack E. Fletcher. (more…)

HistoryNational Geographic

Hudson wreck discovered off Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula

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Hundred-year commemoration of Duluth lynching could see 10,000-person rally

It’s been nearly 100 years since Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie were falsely accused, taken by force from the old Duluth jail, and lynched by an estimated 10,000 community members at the intersection where the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial now stands.

On June 15, 2020, the community will commemorate those three men and continue to work toward a mission of fostering peace, racial equity and growth. Organizers are asking for more than 10,000 community members and visitors to attend an event at the intersection of the memorial and in the surrounding streets to listen to keynote speaker Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Montgomery, Ala.

News and Current AffairsClayton Jackson McGhie

The History of WDSE/WRPT TV

WDSE-TV celebrates its 55th anniversary this month. This short video gives an overview of the early history of Duluth’s public television station.

HistoryVideosMediaWDSE-TV - PBS North
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The Noble Pour cocktail lounge planned for Lincoln Park

Duluth Grill owner Tom Hanson stands behind the bar at the Noble Pour, a new lounge he is developing at 1907 W. Superior St. Hanson purchased the bar from the now-closed Red Herring Lounge.

A new Lincoln Park night spot will feature an artifact from the recently closed Red Herring Lounge, a well-loved but short-lived downtown Duluth music venue. (more…)

News and Current AffairsBars / Drinking EstablishmentsLincoln Park Craft DistrictLincoln Park Neighborhood / The Friendly West End

Selective Focus: Keefography

There’s no shortage of subjects to shoot in our area, and photographer John Keefover is taking them all in. From landscapes to live performances to product shots, he’s turning out stunning images regularly, and always working on sharpening his skills.

JK: My name is John Keefover. I’m a Freelance Photographer here in Duluth going by the name of Keefography. I created this small photography business recently in May of 2019. Since then I’ve been extremely grateful for all of the support I’ve been shown starting this new venture. Though I’m humbled by the realization that there’s always room for improvement every time you pick up a camera, and also because of my self-deprecating humor. I think that latter part is mostly just a by-product of being a Vikings fan, or rather a Minnesota sports fan in general… Anyways, as a freelance photographer I dabble in a wide variety of genres including (but not limited to):

Landscapes. Northern Minnesota is beautiful, offering some of the best hiking trails in the area with the Superior Hiking Trail that follows along the North Shore. I enjoy being out in nature and sharing my experiences with others, often times with a short story to go along the image to really pull you into the scene. Landscape photography is great because no matter how many times you go to a location it’s always different. There’s lighting ranging from sunrise to sunset with cloud cover that brings various colors and moods. The unpredictable Lake Effect weather can also bring massive waves, Northern Lights, lightning, blizzards, rainbows, and other unique situations. The different seasons and transitions in between add a whole new dimension as well. Get outside and enjoy it as much as you can or follow me for the next best thing!
(more…)

ArtPhotosJohn KeefoverKeefographySelective Focus
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Postcard from the Pier in Rough Weather

This postcard of the Duluth Shipping Canal was mailed 110 years ago today — Sept. 19, 1909. The postmark fades out a bit, but other details on the card indicate it was mailed from Orr, Minn. to a resident in Duluth’s Friendly West End. (more…)

HistoryHugh C. Leighton CompanyPostcards

Lake Superior Aquaman: My Origin Story

Aqualad and Aquadad

“Water is the commonest symbol for the unconscious.” – Carl Jung

How did I start dressing like Aquaman to chronicle my adventures in and around Lake Superior?

(more…)

OutdoorsLake SuperiorLake Superior Aquaman
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Aerial Bridge and Duluth Waterfront view from Observation Hill

This photo from Detroit Publishing Company is copyright 1906. The photographer is not credited.

HistoryPhotosAerial Lift BridgeDetroit Publishing Company

Mystery Photo #99: Duluthian in uniform

Who is this guy and what’s his deal? His hat bears the number 581. The photo is from Christensen Photography of Duluth, Minn. (more…)

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Wisconsin Point fully reopens Sept. 20

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Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #20

Duluth Trivia cards, from a board game from Savers, below. (more…)

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Duluth sees its first ‘virtual restaurant’ with Bowls to Go

Restaurant developer Rick Lampton shows off the 310 Pub kitchen in Duluth where Bowls to Go menu items are prepared. Lampton and his partners own the 310 Pub, 7 West Taphouse and Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill.

A new Duluth restaurant is going without wait staff, tables, even walls because its fresh, hot food is delivered wherever hungry customers want to eat. (more…)

News and Current AffairsRestaurants

Frog in Jay Cooke tidepool

OutdoorsPhotosLake Superior AquamanSt. Louis River
Pizza Luce: The Stelvio

PDD Quiz: Duluth in Literature

This edition of the PDD Quiz tests your knowledge of references to Duluth in literature. The 10-year-old PDD post “References to Duluth in Popular Literature” might prove useful should you want to cheat study.

The next PDD quiz will focus on September 2019 headlines; it will be published on Sept. 29. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 25. (more…)

RandomLiteraturePDD Quiz

I Made You Say Underwear

I still own all the underwear I’ve ever bought, probably. Like, 85 percent of it. But why? you might legitimately ask yourself. The answer is simple. Underwear is inexplicably expensive. And it takes a long time to wear out, since I don’t do very many things that would cause excessive wear-and-tear, like, say, a lot of butt-scooting on the carpet or skivvy-only horseback riding. I know I’m not alone in this, because over the years I’ve shared this fact and discovered that pretty much everyone is stockpiling ancient underwear.

As a result, I own underwear that is so old that it’s vintage — essentially archaeological artifacts. I’ve got garden-variety skivvies, of course, but I also have floppy and faded high-cut bikinis from 9th grade, lady boxers whose elastic waistbands announce their brand affiliation, and transparent lacy stretch briefs that make my ass look like a low-rent bank-robber. What I don’t have is g-strings. Not anymore.

Ahhh, the g-string. The g-string came to popularity in the late 1990s, first on strippers, then on twenty-somethings, and then, finally, on Donna, the 60-year-old cashier at ShopKo who is suprisingly racy and not interested in what you think about her undergarment selection, thank you very much and have yourself a lovely day minding your own fucking business. (more…)

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Looking ahead to winter: Snow-Fort City

Looking ahead to winter

It was a good summer. The lake was warm enough to swim for a span of several weeks. I took full advantage of the aqua-recreational opportunities, which I chronicled here. I have no natural love of fall, but this year I am looking at it as what it is: the long, slow, beginning of winter. And since I feel fortified against the coming colder weather, snowfall, and ice conditions, I am making plans. (more…)

ArtOutdoorsLake SuperiorLake Superior AquamanNorth Shore of Lake Superior

Beyondbliss – “Rhyme Alaskan”

Duluth’s David Kittelson, aka Beyondbliss, raps while kayaking in Alaska.

MusicVideosBeyondbliss
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Third KD’s restaurant open in Superior

News and Current AffairsRestaurantsSuperior

Penny for your thoughts, $25 for your political endorsement

News and Current AffairsPoliticsMedia
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Lester River Fish Hatchery circa 1900

The state fish hatchery at 6008 London Road, near the mouth of Lester River in Duluth, was constructed in 1888 and operated until 1946. The photo above, from Detroit Publishing Company, is dated by the Library of Congress as “between 1900 and 1910.” (more…)

HistoryPhotosDetroit Publishing CompanyLester RiverLester River Fish Hatchery

Hamlet could be Wise Fool Theater’s last show

News and Current AffairsTheater
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Postcards from the Sunrise Motel

The undated postcard above, published by Elton H. Gujer Company of Duluth, depicts the Sunrise Motel in Hermantown. (more…)

HistoryElton H. Gujor CompanyGallagher's Studio of PhotographyHermantownHotels / Motels / Resorts / Hostels / LodgingPostcards