View of the rising sea smoke at sunrise. Sea smoke is a cloud over the sea, which could otherwise be called fog, and is usually formed when very cold air moves over warmer water. We see this phenomena all the time when watching Lake Superior. Photographers capture it with delight. The Blatnik or High Bridge is in the distance behind the Aerial Bridge. It is also known as the Duluth-Superior High Bridge or Blatnik High Bridge or Interstate Bridge. Efforts to secure a toll-free bridge between Duluth and Superior started as early as the 1930s. Other unsuccessful attempts were made in 1940 and 1948. In 1953, approval was given for a new toll bridge, pressure from both cities demanded a toll-free unit. When Congress adopted a new system of interstate and defense highways, the bridge became part of that system and was eligible for 90% federal financing - elevating the need for having it be a toll bridge. In 1956 construction plans were delayed by disagreement over clearance height. It had been set at 100 ft. but, after much debate, increased to 120. Construction started Nov. 28, 1958, on what was the largest single highway project ever undertaken jointly by Minnesota and Wisconsin. About 1.6 million hours were worked by construction employees and 100,000 by engineering and inspection personnel. Three workmen lost their lives in the three years of construction. The bridge was formally dedicated on Saturday, Dec. 2, 1961. Mayor Lawrence Hagen of Superior, E. Clifford Mork, Duluth Mayor. It was formally named to honor John A. Blatnik Sept. 24, 1971. To the right is a hotel called Comfort Suites at 408 Canal Park Drive. Street names were changed. South First Avenue East became Canal Park Drive. Harbor Drive was South Fifth Ave West. The first section, a half-mile, of the Downtown Lakewalk was completed in 1988 from the ship canal to the corner of the lake. By 1994 it extended four miles east.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Sinclair Lewis granddaughter Lesley Lewis, Pat Lewis and St. Cloud State University Archivist Pat Schenk look at Sinclair Lewis material held at University Archives
Portrait of Swedish American fiddler who plays Swedish music at the American Swedish Institute with the ASI Spelmanslag. He created that group in 1985 and was recognized as an NEA National Heritage Fellow in 1996.
Turnblad mansion alight against the night sky. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Night time view of the mansion lit up. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Bret Hedican played in the National Hockey League for 18 seasons, appearing with the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks.