Photos
Rick Boo, Hot Rod and Hung at the NorShor
(Note: This post originally linked to a slideshow about the NorShor’s history, which is why comments to the post rave about time travel.)
Duluth Turban Lady, 1997
In 1994 I worked for six months at the Holiday Stationstore at 3401 Grand Ave., next to Wheeler Fields. The store closed around 2003 and the building is empty now. As you can imagine, there were a number of characters that frequented the store. One of them we called Turban Lady. (more…)
Iron Ore Bar in Tower, Minnesota
I heard it referred to by one of the locals as “Beirut.” It’s actually quite the normal-looking bar on the inside.
Spirit Mountain’s Alpine Roller Coaster is pretty neat, but the old Duluth Skyride looks a bit more intimidating
Originally called the Incline Plane Railway, this tram system started service in 1891, carrying passengers up Seventh Avenue West from Superior Street to Ninth Street. The photo above makes it look downright terrifying.
And, of course, there was one day in which it was indeed a terrifying ride, though no one was on it.
On May 28, 1901, a fire started in a coal bin in the engine room of the powerhouse. Wind carried the fire to the pavilion at the top of the incline. The heat of the fire melted the tram cables, and a burning trolley raced down to Superior Street, where it crashed into Superior Street Station. No one was injured.
Hot!
Graffiti Timeline
I recently came across this photograph of myself observing graffiti at an I-35 underpass in West Duluth, probably from 1997 or 1998. So I went back and rephotographed the spot to show how the graffiti has changed. (more…)
Today on Woot
Something seems vaguely familiar about that netbook.
Bathing in Fairmount Park’s Boys’ Pool
This old postcard was sent 100 years ago today. Someone named Mabelle mailed it to Mrs. W. F. Smith of Minong, Wis. It was postmarked in Duluth, Minn., July 16, 1910, 3 p.m. (more…)
Lack of Duluth Summit Cheeseburger Attempts
What is a Summit Cheeseburger you ask? Well, the mission of the Summit Cheeseburger Project is…
“To encourage, enable, and document the consumption of a Cheeseburger on every summit on earth.”
Granted most people are completely and totally unaware of the sport of Summit Cheeseburger-ing and perhaps that is why there is a lack of said activity in St. Louis and Douglas Counties so I will forgive you, good people of said counties. But, now that you are being educated on this activity I see no reason for easy targets like Ely, Bardon’s, Moose, Sugarloaf, Pike, and Sugar Camp Hill to be conquered with zest, vigor, and zeal!
Summit Cheeseburger Locations near Duluth
Do you like to hike, bicycle, drive, or just generally get off your couch and go do something but are looking for an excuse? Then attaining a Summit Cheeseburger just may very well be for you!
1. Grab a cheeseburger and your camera
2. Visit the Summit Cheeseburger website and find a summit.
3. Hike (bike, drive, fly, whatever) to the summit.
4. Photograph yourself nomming down a cheeseburger.
5. Post it to the S.P. site.
6. Repeat!
I’ve tagged summits in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana but Minnesota, and particularly Duluth is full of virgin first ascents just waiting for some PDD’ers to start tagging. Bon Voyage, Happy Trails, and Bottom’s Up!
Exhibit by writer/photographer Brenda Paro opens Friday
Duluth writer and photographer Brenda Paro is presenting new work at the Washington Gallery beginning Friday, July 9. Subtle Cargoes is an exhibit of complex photographic collages paired with poetry, presented using a variety of printing techniques and materials.
The opening reception takes place Friday, July 9 from 6 to 8 pm at Washington Gallery; the exhibit will also be open every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm (or by appointment) through July 25. Washington Gallery is located at 315 N. Lake Ave. in Duluth. For more information visit brendaparo.com, or call Paro at (402) 740-5122.
Knee High By The…..
Happy 4 July.
Boys of Summer Comes to Life
Don Henley was right …
… Deadhead Sticker on a Cadillac. Downtown Duluth Thursday.
The Ojibwe Experience – Learning Opportunities
This week I had a chance to glimpse some of the immense cultural riches of the Ojibwe people who along with other Native American people have occupied this area for thousands of years. And you can check them out too, if you want.
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Where’s Gwanto?
In case any of you have been wondering where the heck I disappeared to in the past couple of years (or have been relieved because of it), I’ve been helping develop a 155-acre organic farm in Randall, MN.
By the time our summer/fall season is done, we’ll have planted around a million and a half seeds (phew!) of pretty much everything you can think of. A lot more info is available at our website: farmofplenty.com.
We don’t have a pickup site in Duluth yet because we’re about to burst as it is this year with all the local shares we’ve received thus far, which has been nothing short of awesome. Anyhoo, take care everyone, check out the site if you have time and I hope to see you next time we’re in town!
-Christian McShane
I-35 Constructiageddon at Night
A few (unedited) night shots of the I-35 construction in West Duluth. Or is it Mars? Yeah, it might be Mars.
I really wanted to shoot these on a foggy night, but the one night I had time, it was relatively clear. I’ll have to go back again soon. The way I understand it, the construction will go on for a *wee* bit longer, as will the damp weather. (more…)
Congratulations, Shelly M. — You’re the NASCAR Fan of the Week at the Pit Stop Bar in beautiful Proctor, Minnesota
Don’t forget to bring a designated driver. And say hi to Dozzer on behalf of PDD.
Leif Erikson’s Latest Kill
For those of you who didn’t drive past Leif Erikson about two weeks ago. Erikson appears to have put his viking hunting skills to use.
Select Images from Denfeld’s first Oracle
Before there was a school called Denfeld, high school classes in West Duluth were held at Irving School. (more…)
Historic Duluth Armory photos
Historic Duluth Armory featured Paul Metsa and Danny Fox, the 2008 winner of the Hibbing Dylan Days singer/songwriter contest for the May 30 open house.
Minnesota Digital Library
Minnesota Reflections now brings you nearly 45,000 images and documents shared by more than 98 cultural heritage organizations across the state. This site offers a variety of resources on Minnesota’s history for researchers, educators, students, and the public. We add throughout the year so check back often.
Water Hazard
With all the road construction this summer you can see orange cones everywhere in the Twin Ports.
Yep. Everywhere.
Kozy Crash
Apparently a car ran into the Kozy Bar. I am not making this up. I did not get the whole story.
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“Picture Duluth” Book Launch
Please join us this coming Friday to celebrate Duluth Photographer Dennis O’Hara and the release of his first book, Picture Duluth: Photographs of the Zenith City.
Day: Friday, May 14
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Place: Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center (Canal Park)
Cause: Ten percent of the sales of “Picture Duluth” will go to support the LSMVC.*
ETC: Author presentation starts at 7:30; refreshments served.
To check out the book, including a online condensed eBook version, click here.
*Special prices on books, and everyone who buys a book or donates just $5 to the LSMVC will receive as our thanks either one of four vintage postcard reproduction art prints or a copy of Greetings from the Arrowhead: the North Shore & Canoe Country.