Gallagher’s Studio of Photography
Lake Aire Motel and Bottle Shop
The split-image postcard above, published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography, shows the Lake Aire Motel and Bottle Shop on London Road. The card is undated, but appears to be from the 1960s. (more…)
Postcards from the Sky Room Restaurant at Buena Vista Motel
A panorama view from high atop Skyline Drive overlooking Duluth. The Buena Vista Motel and its lounge and restaurant opened in 1962. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome J. LaPlante were the original owners. Bob Magie, Bob Nylen and Jerry Strum bought it in 1986 and oversaw a remodel in 1995. They operated the business for nearly 20 years before selling in 2005 to developer Tim Wiklund, who demolished the structure to create the 45-unit Superior Vista condominium complex. (more…)
Duluth-Superior Harbor Circa 1975
This postcard image was published by Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. My great aunt Jennie mailed it to me in 1975, noting she had a “wonderful ride on a boat called the Vista Queen.” She specified that “there were 147 people on the boat” and “the trip took two hours.”
I was 3 years old at the time, and my family was living in Albuquerque, N.M., with plans to move back to Duluth. Jennie ended her message with, “Little Paul, can you count all the boats in the picture on this card?”
Well, I’m 40 years old now and I got the answer wrong. I counted 12 boats. How many do you see, little readers?
The printed info on the postcard reads: “Duluth-Superior Harbor: Foreign vessels are shown at the Arthur M. Clure Public Marine Terminal. The Duluth-Superior Harbor is the westerly terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway.”
And that concludes today’s Show and Tell.