History
Do you know? Facts about Duluth from 1920
From Feb. 23 to March 25 of 1920 the Duluth Herald newspaper published a daily fact about Duluth on its front page. Some are pretty interesting, some are kind of silly. All in all, it’s a fun snapshot of what Duluth was bragging about a century ago. (more…)
Postcard from Astor Trading Post
This undated postcard depicts a replica of the American Fur Company trading post at Fond du Lac, which opened in 1935 at Chambers Grove Park in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood and was demolished in the late 1960s.
The original fur post operated from 1817 to 1847 at the present-day site of Historical Park, just a bit downstream from Chambers Grove Park along the St. Louis River. (more…)
Searching for Descendants of the Duluth Tooth-puller Incident
Perfect Duluth Day readers might remember a post featuring an unusual story from 1903 about a crazed Finlander and unwanted dentistry. Minnesota filmmaker Joshua Carlon is exploring a short documentary about the event and is looking for any descendants of the parties involved who would be interested in being interviewed on camera regarding the incident.
The only named parties in the event are the Finlander John Simonson, Police Chief Troyer, Officer O’Neill and one victim, a Mrs. Elaison of 329 St. Croix Avenue.
If any PDD readers are related to this event or have connections to anyone who might be, please reach out to Josh at josh @ jcarlon.com.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #44
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Mystery Photo #103: Girl with Curls
What’s the deal with this curly haired lass? Was she a Duluthian? (more…)
Video Archive: Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team 2005
Last year John King announced he would end his annual series of videos reviewing the finest hair styles at the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament. Well, he didn’t. But that’s no reason not to dig into the archives and feature the original Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team of 2005, created for the short-lived TV program The Show to be Named Later.
Cade Fairchild of Duluth East makes the team for his “Ogie Ogilthorpe look,” and East Head Coach Mike Randolph gets special recognition for his “Lloyd Christmas look.”
PDD Video Lab: Lester Park, Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds, 1975
In this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken another silent film from Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added music. This time the Duluth scenery includes Lester Park, views from Skyline Drive and Twin Ponds (with two slides going into the water). For music we’ve chosen “Sister Golden Hair,” a chart-topping single by America in 1975.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #43
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
The Promethean, UW-Superior’s student newspaper, turns 100
Throughout the past century the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s student newspaper has seen changes and challenges. Despite funding cuts, scandals and a period of general distrust on campus, The Promethean has stood the test of time. (more…)
Postcard from Divers at Work Through the Ice in Duluth
There’s no explanation here as to what these “divers at work” were up to. The year of the postmark on this V.O. Hammon Publishing Company postcard is not legible and there is no caption on the back. All we know is M. B. Edwards sent the card from Duluth to William Begg of St. Paul. (more…)
PDD Video Lab: Sandra’s Birthday Frolic in Duluth, 1973
For this PDD Video Lab mashup we’ve taken a silent film from 1973 that was recently uploaded to Dominic Chione’s Vimeo account and added Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” a track from his 1973 album Innervisions. The first minute of the video is kids frolicking in a yard; recognizable Duluth scenery kicks in after that.
But wait … there’s bonus footage. (more…)
Then and Now: Duluth’s Incline Railway
A video by Grandview Aerial Photography showing images of the Incline Railway during its operation (1891-1939), then modern-day drone footage following the path it took up the hill. Produced for the Duluth Preservation Alliance.
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #42
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #41
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Video Archive: Attempting to save UMD’s Old Main
During WDIO-TV’s annual March of Dimes Telethon circa 1990, Dennis Anderson introduced a Colder by the Lake Comedy Theatre slide presentation by Bruce Ojard featuring old Duluth buildings as a plea to convince the city to preserve the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Old Main building instead of tearing it down.
The building was destroyed by fire on Feb. 23, 1993.
Postcard from the Ski Tournament at Duluth in 1910
This postcard was mailed to Mrs. May Hagberg two years after the ski tournament shown in the image. The postmark is Feb. 15, 1912. (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #40
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Postcard from Congdon Park in 1940
The message on this postcard was composed 80 years ago today — Feb. 7, 1940. The card is postmarked the next day. (more…)
View of Duluth from Skyline Parkway
This undated photo of Downtown Duluth, Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, etc. is from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The biggest clue to when the photo was shot is the scrapyard where the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center stands today. So we know the image was captured prior to construction of the Duluth Arena in 1966. Are there any other clues in there? (more…)
Duluth Trivia Deck Sampler #39
Another trivia card from a board game purchased at Savers. (more…)
Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips
In the year 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage
Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends in Duluth or on picnics and cabin retreats in the region.
(more…)
Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash – “Wanted Man” (Duluth mention)
Duluth mentioned at 2:32, Hibbing mentioned at 3:18 with a derisive laugh.
Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941
On Feb. 1, 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage
- Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends in Duluth or on picnics and cabin retreats in the region.
The Goldfines Go East
In the year 2000, Duluth businessman Monnie Goldfine recorded a voiceover track for his family films, most of which he shot himself between 1939 and 1946. Perfect Duluth Day has divided the footage into three segments:
- Part one: “The Goldfines Go East” depicts a family trip to the World’s Fair.
- Part two: “Duluth Parades, Ski Jumping and Coal Shipping Circa 1941” is a collection of Duluth footage.
- Part three: “Goldfines in the 1940s: Picnics and Fishin’ Trips” features scenes of family and friends at leisure in Duluth or elsewhere in the region.