History
The Economics of Sulfide Mining: Benefits and Costs
This address was given by Dr. Tom Power, Professor Emeritus at the University of Montana about a week ago in Duluth. (more…)
Ye Olde Corner Grocery
The latest posting at the Duluth Public Library’s Reference@Duluth blog is a look at a few of the lost corner grocery stores of Duluth.
Video Archive: Homegrown 2003
Here’s a sloppy VHS version of KDLH-TV’s coverage of the 2003 Homegrown Music Festival, including clips from the only Homegrown Kickball Classic ever held at the Wade softball fields — and the only time a TV news personality was invited to participate in the game.
Starfire’s fabulous mohawk appears near the end, although the quality of the video doesn’t do it justice.
Video Archive: 1989 World Series Earthquake
Duluth sports anchors report on the Oct. 17, 1989, Loma Prieta Earthquake that disrupted the World Series at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Featuring WDIO’s Steve LePage and KBJR’s Paul Guggenheimer.
Guy Lombardo regrets
I don’t know if I was being cheap or just avoiding my hoarding instincts, but I regret not coughing up $8 for this Guy Lombardo record at the Wallace Henkins Estate Sale in May. It appears to be a live recording on Duluth station WEBC from Oct. 14, 1948 — I’m not sure. It was an over-sized record, and I wasn’t sure if it would fit on my turntable. So, who picked it up and how long until it’s shared on the Internet?
Video Archive: Locker Room gets Blastered
The Third Base Bar on Tower Avenue in Superior used to be the Locker Room Lounge and Grill. Here is pro wrestling’s Gary “The Blaster” Lindgren extolling the virtues of the Locker Room, circa 1989.
Curiosity: Mysteries Near Boy Scout Landing
I have a curiosity about the history of our town and the surrounding area, and PDD has been a great source for finding answers and discovering new things. I hope someone can solve these mini mysteries, (at least they’re a mystery to me).
Out by Boy Scout Landing, there is this wedge-shaped foundation, (Search Google Maps for: 46.654688, -92.224903). It looks as if it was some sort of industry long since gone. (more…)
Granada Stage Bar
Here is a photo I took of the Granada Stage Bar during a snow storm in the early 1980s, a few years after moving to town. I don’t know or remember anything about it, including its actual location. In my mind I think it was on Superior St, but that organ has been wrong on a regular basis. Anybody have any knowledge of it?
The Rise and Fall of the Red Herring (the old Rocket Bar)
Regarding the Rocket Bar renovation:
Well, folks, far-be-it from me to talk the talk and not walk the walk, but when a few hundred thousand greenbacks comprise the difference between the “talk” and the “walk,” well, shucks … it was a good run. (more…)
Pruning Time in Duluth
Since this old comic was available for a quarter at the Wallace Hankins Estate Sale, I thought I’d scan and post it, in case anyone finds it interesting or knows specifically what it’s about.
I would guess it’s from the 1930s, when buses began replacing streetcars, which may have resulted in cutting trees to widen roads, or maybe the tree is simply a metaphor for how the streetcar business would be hacked to death by buses.
The headline leads me to believe this was a newspaper editorial comic that the Park Point Community Club had printed on card stock and distributed around town to raise a fuss. The signature on the comic is John Harrison.
The Lark of Duluth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oQmMYkjxH4
Former Perfect Duluth Day intern Jamie Merideth shot and edited this video about the replica of the Lark of Duluth, “The World’s First Airliner,” being built at Sky Harbor.
There will be a Centennial event at Sky Harbor this summer from July 12-14.
Duluth’s Lakewalk That Wasn’t
The comments on the recent post about wine rooms as breeding places of vice in Duluth a century ago delved into the history of prostitution in Canal Park. If only someone had come up with the idea for the Lakewalk back then … (more…)
Chop suey houses recognized by new regime as detrimental
From 100 years ago — April 17, 1913 — Duluth News Tribune:
“The Main” Trailer
In 1982 Bob Jansen was fired from his job as a college professor for being gay. After suing the institution that fired him, he took his settlement money to open the first openly gay bar in the Duluth/Superior region: The Main Club. The Main follows Jansen’s history and the history of the bar while exploring social trends that may threaten the continued existence of historically significant queer spaces like the Main Club.
Directed by Julie Casper Roth.
Blustery out at the Congdon’s today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x12THpgHgg0&feature=youtu.be
Question about the Egyptian Theatre in Downtown Duluth
My students have questions about the Egyptian Theatre of the Duluth Masonic Center, 4 West Second St., Duluth. “The Egyptian Theater is a unique landmark in the city of Duluth, and its Kimball pipe organ has recently been restored.”
If you have info about construction, performances, and other historical information, please share below!
Duluth Preservation Alliance Centennial Homes Recognition
At its annual awards ceremony in May the Duluth Preservation Alliance is recognizing Duluth homes that are turning 100 years old. The DPA is looking for applicants whose homes are turning 100 years old this year and that have retained their historic character.
If you would like to apply, or know someone who might qualify, you can download an application at duluthpreservation.org under the “Centennial Homes Recognition” tab. Applications are due April 18.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Berg at 218-341-6143 or robert.berg @ duluth.k12.mn.ust.
Low at 20
In yesterday’s story in the DNT, Alan Sparhawk, sound engineer Eric Swanson, musicians Marc Gartman, Amy Abts and Tony Bennett, and Low’s former nanny Scott “Starfire” Lunt all weigh in on the band’s 20 years of music.
It’s a great conversation and it’s one I think is worth continuing here as Low commemorates its second decade in the business and its 10th studio album, which hits the shelves on Tuesday.
What are your favorite Low memories, whether you know the band or you’re just a fan of their music?
NorShor tower to return
Remember two-and-a-half years ago when we speculated about bringing back the old NorShor tower?
Apparently, the speculation is over.
Developer: NorShor Theatre’s tower marquee will rise again
The story seems to indicate the tower will be built from scratch rather than refurbished, which leaves open the question of what happened to the original tower.
Old Duluth Photos on Shorpy
While watching Lost Duluth 2 on WDSE-TV (great show!), I wanted to pass along some awesome old photos that have been scanned in very high resolution and submitted to the wonderful archive site shorpy.com. Anyone who likes looking at good historic photos of Duluth will love these large images. Most of these were taken in 1905 and were published by the Detroit Publishing Co. using glass negatives.
(more…)
Sambo’s Restaurant
Recently discovered in my parents’ basement is this wooden coin from the old Sambo’s Restaurant, which was located where the Miller Hill Mall Perkins is today. Sambo’s was a chain with more than 1,000 locations during its heyday in the 1970s, according to the Wikipedia entry. (more…)
Karen Diver discusses another court decision against Duluth
At risk of setting off an avalanche of flaming comments here on PDD I am going to post this interview that I worked on today. (more…)
Claire Stewart – “Duluth, My Home Town”
A nifty animation by Dave and Jean Kirwan set to a 1961 jingle about our fair city. This took first place in the 2013 Playground Short Shorts Film Festival this weekend.