History
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…)
Remembering Don LaFontaine, king of movie trailers
Yesterday was the 78th birthday of the “Voice of God,” Don LaFontaine. The famed movie-trailer voice-over star was born in Duluth on Aug. 26, 1940. He died on Sept. 1, 2008.
CBS Sunday Morning ran a tribute to LaFontaine yesterday; click on the GIF above to watch the video, which starts after a commercial.
Log Rolling Contest in Cloquet
Year unknown.
23-27 W. First St. Building History
What is now Joseph Nease Gallery started as Max Bloom Furniture in 1916 until the 1930s, was the Covenant Club 1960 to about 1964, was a Norge Industrial Laundry about 1967, became Arthur’s Formal Wear and Horton’s Boxing until 2008, then was the infamous 50 Below IT firm until about 2013. I am trying to fill in some of the blanks and find any existing photos from the various time periods if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks!
Duluth’s Madam Butterfly
Rena Vivian Smith as Madam Butterfly, Cosmopolitan Magazine, February 1907
The latest “Forgotten Duluthian” posting by David Ouse at the Duluth Public Library’s Vintage Duluth blog is about Duluth’s Madame Butterfly, Rena Vivian Smith.
Select Images from the 1948 Denfeld Oracle
The Denfeld class of 1948 held its 70th reunion last week. Marking that occasion and the upcoming return to school, we present select images from the 1948 Denfeld Oracle, the school’s annual yearbook. (more…)
“The Glen” at Garfield Park in Duluth
This 1897 issue of Duluth’s Labor World shows the waterfall and cauldron of “the Glen” in Chester Park. From 1894 to 1902 the area was named Garfield Park. (more…)
Park Point Cabin, revisited
While out hiking with The Big E and our daughter this weekend he reminded us both there used to be cabins on Park Point. Does anyone know when they were torn down?
Mary Scott Bywater – “America’ll Win the War”
One century ago, as “The War to End All Wars” raged on, Mary Scott Bywater of Duluth wrote and published a forgotten anthem.
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Ruth Hart: “Baby Ruth from Duluth”
The recent PDD posting about the 1960s song “Ruth from Duluth” has led to a potentially related historical sidebar. It turns out that in the 1940s there was a carnival performer promoted as the 750-pound “Ruth from Duluth.”
Very few details are available in the five periodical clippings unearthed so far.
The Billboard, June 30, 1945:
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…)
Shuggy Ray Smith – “Ruth from Duluth”
This little tune, purportedly released in December of 1965, is about a “little pretty girl” from Duluth who “eats corn on the cob through a picket fence.” Enjoy. (more…)
Selective Focus: Duluth and Northern Minnesota Film Photographers
Photo courtesy of Kip Praslowicz
There’s a show currently hanging at Blacklist, photography all shot on film by area photographers. The pieces come from members of the Duluth and Northern Minnesota Film Photographers, a group that meets monthly to discuss the process, challenges and variations of shooting on film. The evening will be both a reception for the show and one of the monthly meet-ups.
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Western Auto Supply Company of Duluth
The fancy booklet above is circa 1930. Western Auto Supply Company once occupied the building that is today known as the Center for Non-violence at 202 E. Superior St. in Duluth. (more…)
Mystery Photo #70: East Superior Street in 1908
This photo from Detroit Publishing Company is dated 1908 — 110 years ago — although some evidence in the comments to this post indicate suggest it could have been shot prior to that year. It depicts a scene on East Superior Street in Duluth. The mysteries: What block? Are the homes in the image still there? Can someone recreate the mystery photo with a modern image from the same spot?
Video Archive: Superstars of Wrestling in Duluth, 1988
Finally unearthed from the PDD video archive, clips from the May 10, 1988 World Wrestling Federation card at the Duluth Arena. The segments available here are matches that were broadcast on the syndicated television program Superstars of Wrestling on May 22 and 29, 1988. Numerous other matches were taped at the same Duluth card and broadcast in subsequent weeks. (more…)
Lincoln Park School Store circa 1968
Left to right: Virginia Wingness, Steve Walli, Gary Logergren, Paul Town and Kathy Wilson.
Photo from The Times ’68, Lincoln Park Junior High School’s yearbook.
Mystery Photo #69: Tall Ship
Based on fashions of the spectators, this photo appears to be circa the 1990s. Throngs have gathered to watch a tall ship sail into the Duluth Harbor. What is the name of the vessel? When precisely did this happen? (more…)
PDD Quiz: Buffalo Bill and Duluth
This month’s quiz looks at Buffalo Bill Cody’s relationship with Duluth. For more information on this topic, check out this Perfect Duluth Day article, this Northland Wilds article, and this The Area Woman article.
The next PDD Quiz, on July happenings, will be published on July 29. Email question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by July 26. (more…)
Mystery Photo #68: Aerial Transfer Bridge
There’s no doubt the subject of this mystery photo is the gondola car on Duluth’s Aerial Bridge, but what year was the photo shot? (more…)
List of Bands that Have Played Head of the Lakes Fair in Superior
The Head of the Lakes Fair is an annual tradition in Superior. The weekend event usually features bands performing on a stage in the center of the Superior Speedway. Often the headliner is a major touring act that is a bit past its prime. Below is a scattered list of bands that have played the festival. Because … nostalgia. (more…)