The Harold “Bo” Conrad Soap Box Derby Collection

The St. Louis County Historical Society is welcoming Bo Conrad and his family for a special viewing of the Harold “Bo” Conrad Soap Box Derby Collection, exhibited in the Small Fesler Gallery on the third floor, Michigan Street Level, at the Duluth Depot. The special viewing is free and open to the public. The exhibit features Bo’s racing shirt and helmet worn during the derby, a video with actual race and event footage, a soapbox derby car belonging to Ralph Bergh of Grand Rapids, and the 26th All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship Trophy presented to Bo after winning the 1963 Derby in Akron, Ohio. This collection is a reminder of a lost era in Duluth history and will be on display until Aug. 31.

Duluth’s first Soap Box Derby was in July 1947. The derby took place at Lemon Drop Hill, a part of London Road, located between 26th and 13th avenues east. A crowd of 10,000 watched as 14-year-old Don Schafer won Duluth’s first Soap Box Derby. Due to increased traffic, Lemon Drop Hill became too dangerous for derby races. The Duluth Derby Track Committee raised funds to build a new track on the north side of Hartley Park. Once complete, it was named Duluth’s Derby Downs.

Sixteen years after Duluth’s first race, Bo Conrad won the 1963 Duluth Derby, with 1,500 spectators. Conrad went on to compete in the 26th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio where 75,000 people watched him win the derby by four inches! His speed was clocked in at 40 miles per hour.

Duluth’s final soapbox race was in 1968.