Postcards

Postcard from Tweed Gallery

This undated postcard image of the Tweed Museum of Art appears to be circa the 1970s. The text on the back reads:

Tweed Gallery

The only major art gallery in Northern Minnesota, Tweed Gallery on the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus has attracted more than 300,000 visitors since it opened in 1958. Funds for the gallery were donated by Mrs. Alice Tweed Tuohy, now of Santa Barbara, California and her daughter, Mrs. John Brickson, Duluth. Twenty shows each year feature international, national, faculty and student artists in four separate exhibition areas.

Postcards from Duluth’s Radisson Hotel

When the Radisson Hotel was built at 505 W. Superior St. in 1970, it was Duluth’s first new hotel in 43 years. It would be difficult to count the number that were built in the next 43 years, but not impossible. Go ahead and try. (more…)

Aerial Bridge raised to pass ore boat into Duluth Harbor

Based on the 3-cent postage rate, this postcard must be circa 1958 to 1963. The description on the back reads:

The Aerial Bridge in raised position for an ore boat passing into Duluth Harbor. When the span is lowered traffic may move without interruption between Minnesota Point and downtown Duluth. Through this canal pass about 4500 boats in a 7-1/2 month season, carrying a total tonnage of about 17 million tons. (Average for five years.)

Postcards from Turk’s Clearview Court

The undated postcard above shows an aerial view of Turk’s Clearview Court at 8015 Congdon Boulevard in Lakewood Township, just outside Duluth’s northeastern border. (more…)

Postcard from UMD’s Social Science Building

This 1960s-era postcard shows off the Social Science Building on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. Today the building is known as Cina Hall and serves as home to numerous liberal arts programs. It was renamed in 1985 in honor of UMD Regent Fred A. Cina, and underwent a $4.1 million renovation in 2016. (more…)

Duluth, Minn. – Always Cool

This postcard was mailed 110 years ago today — Oct. 22, 1908 — to Ms. A. J. Niles of Viroqua, Wis. (more…)

Duluth Ship Canal in Storm and Calm

This postcard is either from a century ago or last week.

I wish you would send that pillow

(more…)

Postcards from Wonderland Tourist Court and Lodge

Wonderland Resort was located about three miles northeast of Duluth, on the shore of Lake Superior and adjacent to Schmidt Creek. It was run by Jack and Joan Bates from 1968 to 1998 and their family still reminisces about the old days on a Wonderland Resort Facebook page. (more…)

Postcard from Fond du Lac Kaffee Stuga

The old Swedish coffee cottage in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood was featured once before on Perfect Duluth Day in the post “Mystery Photo #16: Holm’s Kaffe Stuga.” It was located on Highway 23 at 123rd Ave. W. (more…)

Postcard from Fairmount Park in 1948

This postcard of Duluth’s “municipal zoo,” now known as Lake Superior Zoo, was mailed 70 years ago today — Sept. 8, 1948. (more…)

Mystery Photo #71: Duluth Eagles Club Summer Home

There doesn’t appear to be much information on the internet about the Duluth Eagles Club in general, much less the summer home shown on this old postcard. When were the Duluth Eagles formed? When did the club disband? Where is Grand View Beach / Aeire Lake? And where was the club’s main lodge in Duluth? (more…)

Postcard from the Steamer Thomas F. Cole

This postcard depicts the Thomas F. Cole in the Duluth shipping channel on her maiden trip to Duluth. The message on the back of the card appears to be dated Sept. 1, 1908. (more…)

Postcard from West Superior Street in 1908

This postcard depicts a scene looking east from the 500 block of West Superior Street, where the Radisson Hotel and Duluth Public Library stand today. It was mailed 110 years ago — Aug. 29, 1908. (more…)

Postcard from the Government Ship Canal During a Storm

Undated postcard.

Postcard from West Third Street in 1908

This postcard was mailed 110 years ago today — Aug. 14, 1908. It depicts a scene looking northeast on Third Street at about 24th Avenue West. The church steeple in the right foreground is Bethany Lutheran Church, built in 1903. (more…)

Postcard from the College of St. Scholastica, 1948

This postcard was mailed Aug. 4, 1948. (more…)

Postcard from Duluth Elks Lodge #133 in 1913

This postcard was mailed 105 years ago — June 8, 1913 — when E.J. Turnbo was “enjoying the cool breeze and having one big time.” (more…)

Postcard from the Canal Park Marine Museum

The Lake Superior Marine Museum & Maritime Visitor Center doesn’t look much different today than it did in this postcard, probably from the 1970s. (more…)

Postcards from the Flame excursion boat

The undated postcard above, published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography, shows the Flame excursion boat entering the Duluth Shipping Canal. (more…)

Part of Wholesale District, Duluth, Minn.

This old postcard from E.C. Kropp Co. has the year 1917 penciled on the front, which seems roughly accurate.

Postcard from Miller’s Creek on Boulevard

It was 110 years ago today — June 23, 1908 — when this card was postmarked in Superior and sent to Mrs. M. J. Humphry  and her family in Bangor, Wis. (more…)

Postcard from the McDougall Terminal Building in Duluth

Construction on the McDougall Terminal Warehouse began in 1922, with the first unit completed in 1923. It was located at Ninth Avenue West and Railroad Street, just a bit southwest of where Pier B Resort is today. The building became a Jeno’s frozen foods manufacturing plant in the 1970s and was demolished in 1987.

Mystery Photo #66: U.S. Mail boat near Duluth, Minnesota

This undated postcard photo depicts a U.S. Mail boat at a nondescript location. The only clue that it might be on the St. Louis River or some other body of water in the vicinity of Duluth is a penciled note on the back of the card. (more…)

Postcard from Duluth Bethel

This postcard of the Duluth Bethel building was mailed 105 years ago today — May 1, 1913. It’s not easy to read, but the sender appears to be “Auntie Paul” and the recipient is Mrs. Mildred Wilkinson of Clare, Mich. (more…)