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. (more…)
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.
Duluth 2023 General Election Primer
Duluth’s municipal and school board general election is Nov. 7. Items on the ballot vary depending on which precinct voters live. Below is a rundown of all races in the city. (more…)
9/11, Never Forget Evil
When I was a little kid, I had a friend named Ron. Ron was different, unique and interesting. All people appeared this way to me at that time. Ron stole a pair of shorts from my mother’s clothesline. My mother’s friend caught Ron downtown and yelled at him, “nice shorts!,” and then drove off. I didn’t understand why Ron didn’t get to have a colorful pair of shorts. He was different, unique and interesting like me. Then they cut my hair. I cried, “I look like a bald-headed monkey.” My grandfather said, “his hair was so long because of the Indians up there.” They sent me to a Catholic school. I’m white. My language was stolen from me. My culture was stolen from me. My friends were stolen from me.
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. (more…)
PDD Quiz: Happy Trails to You
Lace up your boots and take a hike with this edition of the Perfect Duluth Day quiz, which highlights some local trails.
The next PDD quiz will review this month’s newsworthy events; it will be published on Sept. 24. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 20. (more…)
Duluth’s Lost Township on Chester Creek
Co-written with Allen Richardson
The Duluth Inside Duluth
In 1963, on 14th Avenue East overlooking Chester Creek, seven houses installed their own sewer rather than hook up to the city system. To do so, they took advantage of the experimentation sweeping the nation regarding public services. New forms of neighborhood government had emerged as housing associations. These seven houses applied for a federal grant as an independent municipal corporation. Technically they seceded from Duluth and became an autonomous township inside the city limits.
A democratic sub-society, the citizen-residents named the township “Duluth” by unanimous vote. After all, they felt they should not have to change the name of where they lived; in fact they were the real Duluth. Their right to name themselves was blessed by an appellate court ruling in 1968, hence “the Duluth inside Duluth.” (more…)
Ractalfece is canceled
Hello everybody, this is John Holden, aka, Ractalfece. Over the years, I have been honored that Perfect Duluth Day has been posting my YouTube videos. Unfortunately, YouTube has terminated my account.
I wrote to them; said it was art. They didn’t restore my account. So I’ll be dusting off my old website — totalvom.com. Come find me.
The Slice: Ventriloquist Jeremy Lepak
Duluth native Jeremy Lepak has been a ventriloquist for more than 15 years. In this video he talks about the craft and entertains a crowd in Gary New Duluth during Far West Kids Fest.
In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.
New restaurant to offer salads, soups and mystical gifts
Cori Zastera, left, and her husband Jason, stand in front of the Ritual Salad location at 1802 W. Superior St. in Lincoln Park. The new restaurant is scheduled to open in October. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske).
A new fast-casual restaurant featuring healthy salads and soups is in the works for Lincoln Park as the booming Duluth neighborhood sees redevelopment push east along Superior Street toward Garfield Avenue. (more…)
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. (more…)
Sidestreet Detour – “Time is Short”
Sidestreet Detour performed its Superior Porchfest concert on June 15 on a residential driveway near Central Park. Porchfest is a free, family-friendly music and art series in which attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and/or simply stop by to enjoy the show.
The 2023 season concludes on Thursday, Sept. 7, with music at sunset around a campfire in Billings Park.
Accordion on a Unicycle with Steve Solkela
Steve Solkela performs Wild Cherry’s hit song “Play that Funky Music” on accordion while riding a unicycle … because he’s Steve Solkela.
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. (more…)
Duluth artist exhibits at Minnesota State Fair
Duluth artist Pat Hagen leapt a huge hurdle to exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair — producing some of the best work in the state. (Photos via Pat.) (more…)
New book by Duluthians about Agatha Christie
This book, by some undercelebrated authors from Duluth, looks really promising. They have cranked out six books together, I think. (more…)
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. (more…)
A Sea Change for Lake Superior: Mishi Bizhiw — Great Panther
This short video explores Ojibwe perspectives and cultural stories associated with Lake Superior, with interviews and artwork by Carl Gawboy and Jonathan Thunder. A version of it will be included in the public television documentary, A Sea Change for Lake Superior. (more…)
PDD Quiz: August 2023
Dive into this edition of the PDD Quiz and see how many local headlines you remember from the past month.
The next PDD quiz will highlight area hiking trails; it will be published on Sept. 10. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 6. (more…)
A Fun Time with PJ’s Rescue
These youth I know spent the afternoon with PJ’s Rescue at the Lincoln Park Resource Center & Garden. It was a kind of life-saving joy. (more…)
Climate>Duluth: Melanie Wallace and Bonnie Waltch
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews Melanie Wallace and Bonnie Waltch of Climate Emergency Feedback Loops Films.
Recorded in hybrid style at Duluth Public Access Community Television’s studio in City Hall.