The vessel is 62.5 meters long. Under engine power, she reaches a top speed of 10 knots, while she can make up to 14 knots under sail. She has a crew of 18 and can accommodate 88 passengers. The Christian Radich, a full rigged three masted steel hull ship, is known through the international release in 1958 of the movie Windjammer. The Christian Radich sailed to the United States in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration. She was in New York on July 4, 1976. The vessel was built for training sailors for the Norwegian merchant navy, and did so for many years.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A view (for a 1961 Photo Contest) of the Duluth-Superior high bridge's first span being lowered into place after construction began two years before on November 28, 1958.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
East Hillside; Street; Tenth Avenue East and Fourth street looking west; street lamps; streetcar tracks; houses; corner store; business; Wick's Market; grocery store; pedestrians; bicycle; street cleaner; people waiting for streetcar; streetcar in the distance; church steeple in the distance; power lines for streetcars
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
West Duluth; Forty-Fifth Avenue West and Third Street looking east; this photograph was used as a court exhibit to document some type of accident; houses; businesses; telephone poles; streetcar tracks
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
nautical; soundings; St. Louis river; Lake Superior; Minnesota Point; Oneota; shoreline; This map forms an inset to the larger map entitled, Survey of Lake Superior by Lieut. Henry W. Bayfield R. N. assisted by Mr. Philip Ed. Collins, Mid., between the years 1823 and 1825 Sheet 1. Scale of original inset is 1:49,300, or 4,108 ft. to 1 in. Scale of this photograph is 4,800 to 1 inch. J. H. Darling, April 22, 1904
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Roger's Boulevard was a lengthy drive at the top of the hillside for visitors and residents in carriages and wagons to enjoy views of Duluth all along its length.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Marshall-Wells Hardware merchandise is loaded and ready for delivery to various railroad lines for transport. The first horse-drawn sleigh will take the orders packed into it to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha depot. The truck behind the sleigh is destined for the Soo Line depot. The next in line will be shipped on the Great Northern railway and the one after that will go to the Northern Pacific. The Union Depot served seven railroads including the GN and NP. It still stands as the St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center. All of the other depots are gone. The Marshall-Wells Company started in 1886 as Chapin and Wells Company a wholesale hardware business. Albert Morley Marshall, son of Seth, bought controlling interest in 1893 and changed the name to Marshall-Wells Company. The company grew to include 14 wholesale offices throughout the northwestern U.S. and Canada. In 1955 Ambrook Industries Inc. of New York bought controlling interest. Kelley-How-Thomson and Marshall-Wells merged January 1, 1958. Kelley-How-Thomson had been a subsidiary of Marshall-Wells since 1955 when Ambrook bought Marshall-Wells and reorganized. The Coast-to-Coast Stores bought the Duluth division of Marshall-Wells-Kelley-How-Thomson Company in 1958, which ended the Duluth firm's operation. Also in the image are the People's Hotel 246 Lake Avenue South, and the Lyceum Theater billboard.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Aerial bridge from bay; boats entering; canal; piers; Minnesota Point buildings on both sides; houses; light house on south pier; Corps of Engineers building.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
In the middle of this image are the low, long Northern Pacific freight sheds with cranes and a couple of men near the harbor end of the dock by the tip of the ore boat. Wholesale grocers Gowan-Lenning-Brown sign for its Honor brand is visible in the Canal Park area near the bridge. The manufacturer of the Honor Brand was an outgrowth of the Wright-Clarkson Company. It was Gowan-Peyton-Twohy Company in 1910 then Gowan-Peyton-Congdon in 1911, and finally Gowan-LenningBrown in 1913. At 20 West Morse Street is a sign for wholesale Hogstad Fish.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Leif Erikson Park is the site of the half-size replica of the Leif Erikson boat the "Norwegian Vikings" sailed to America in 997 A. D. The boat was donated to the city of Duluth by Enger and Olson, Inc. (furniture store owned by Bert Enger of Enger Park and Enger Tower) in 1927. The 12-ton, 42 feet long, red and white sail, replica was built of Norway pine and sailed to America from Korgen, Norway, leaving Norway on May 26, 1926, arriving in Duluth after visits to numerous ports, on June 23, 1927. The head and tail were made by a Norwegian architect.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Construction shot of the bridge and the approach to the bridge from Minnesota Point or South Lake Avenue, Minnesota Avenue. This photograph has been physically altered; the background has been whited out and buildings drawn over.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A laker prepares to leave the harbor through the Ship Canal in this view of downtown Duluth, Canal Park and Minnesota Point from the hillside. In the center right of the image is a rear view of the Duluth Civic Center buildings. In Canal Park on the left of the image we can see the DeWitt Seitz and Marshall Wells buildings. Zenith was a brand name used by Marshall Wells.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view from the crest of the hillside of Duluth shows a vessel steaming toward the aerial bridge. A prominent sign is visible on the bayside of Minnesota Point advertising Marine Iron and Shipbuilding. That business was located for years at the foot of Eleventh Avenue West and bayfront. The first ship launched in the Twin Ports for service in World War II was at the Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Co., April 23, 1941. A Duluth newspaper on July 1, 1966 ,reported that the former Marshall-Wells Building on Lake Avenue South has been purchased by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Co. and Modern Constructors Inc. The assessors office lists the value of the property at $736,000.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A view to the canal with the Duluth business district in the foreground. The 1896 Sacred Heart Cathedral steeple is in the right corner in front of the building that is now the Damiano Center (clothes distribution and soup kitchen). The cathedral, now a music center, and the Damiano are at 211 and 206 West Fourth Street. At the left is the smokestack of the Duluth Steam Plant built in 1932 that continues to provide heat to downtown businesses. To the left of the smokestack is the five-story Freimuth's Department store which opened in 1900 on the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street. It was Duluth's oldest family owned firm when it closed in 1961 with 60 employees. The Freimuth's building was razed in May 1968. On the far right on Superior Street are the tall, slim Alworth building (16 stories) dating from 1909, and the light colored Medical Arts building on the site of the St. Louis Hotel. The hotel was razed beginning May 19, 1932. September 1, 1932 contractors broke ground for the Medical Arts building. Signs in Canal Park include Marshall-Wells Hardware Company and Griggs, Cooper and Company. Griggs Cooper was a wholesale grocer and liquor business at 217-219 Lake Avenue South featuring Home brand food.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
An ore boat is steaming through the canal into Duluth harbor. The canal was cut beginning in 1871, and this bridge was built in 1904-1905 and modified with the lift span (which is up in this photo) in 1929. Canal Park is to the right of the Aerial Lift Bridge. Today a tourist destination, Canal Park was originally an industrial site. In this photograph Canal Park is in transition. You can see some demolition as well as some new parking facilities very near the pier including green space for residents and tourists to get near the vessel traffic and the bridge. The Aerial Lift Bridge is the largest tourist draw in Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The parallel concrete piers jut out into the lake forming the canal leading to the harbor. Since its remodeling into a lift bridge in 1930, every vessel passes under the Aerial Lift Bridge's raised span. In this view the span is down, and traffic and people cross it as a roadbed. The South Pier is at the left, the North Pier is at the right. Minnesota Point's light sand beach draws residents and tourists in all seasons but especially throughout the summer months. The expanse of the slips and wharves of the harbor indicate an industrial scene. You can see the light road that is Skyline Parkway parallel to the horizon running the length of Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The parallel concrete piers jut out into the lake forming the canal leading to the harbor. Since its remodeling into a lift bridge in 1930, every vessel passes under the Aerial Lift Bridge's raised span. In this view the span is down, and traffic and people cross it as a roadbed. The South Pier is at the left, the North Pier is at the right. Minnesota Point's light sand beach draws residents and tourists in all seasons but especially throughout the summer months. The harbor is still the location of warehouses and coal docks. You can see the light road that is Skyline Parkway parallel to the horizon running the length of Duluth. The Civic Center is at the center of this shot. The St. Louis County Courthouse is in the middle with the Federal Building to the left of the courthouse, City Hall to the right, and the St. Louis County Jail to the left and set back from the courthouse. The Civic Center was designed by Daniel Burnham and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The lift span is up as an ore boat of the Cleveland-Cliffs fleet approaches the canal. Pioneer Hall and the Northwest Passage skywalk link to downtown are complete. Gateway Towers and Lenox Place apartment high-rises and the new Duluth Public Library are visible. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, formerly called the Marine Museum, opened in 1973 and is seen near the north pier with Grandma's Saloon restaurant and its summertime tent visible marking the first two amenities of Canal Park that would develop into a tourist destination.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of Duluth's hillside from just shy of Sixth Avenue West on the left and Fourteenth Avenue East on the far right half-way up the edge. Houses in the Kenwood neighborhood are clustered at the far right. To the left of Kenwood is the College of St. Scholastica with dominant Tower Hall. Drop straight down from the college to the Peace Church built in 1959. The airbase housing cluster called Capehart on Arrowhead Road that was later sold and developed into Aspenwood Condominiums is beyond the college with the Cook Home at the top middle of the photograph.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This image shows a view from about Ninth Avenue West and waterfront at the top right corner of the shot to First Avenue East and Second Street at the lower left corner of the shot. Duluth Terminal and Cold Storage Company is at Ninth Avenue West and Railroad Street or 400 South Ninth Avenue West. The 1892 Central High School and its clock tower occupy the block on Second Street between Lake Avenue and First Avenue East in the foreground. The Canal Park area and the waterfront warehouse districts are still very industrial. The arena auditorium will not open until August 1966, in the area still filled with scrap in the middle-top of this photograph. Railroad and Commerce streets run parallel to the hillside below Superior Street and the area is well described by their names.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Aerial view of grain elevators and a lake vessel being loaded. A freighter is outbound, headed for the aerial bridge whose span is up. Norris Grain is named for James E. Norris, Canadian born, whose family accumulated wealth in the grain trade and a fleet of ships. His father moved the company headquarters to Chicago and James relocated there. These elevators were bought from General Mills Inc. in 1944. Norris was later associated with hockey.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The foreground is Superior, Wisconsin the background is Duluth. The High Bridge or Interstate Bridge or John A. Blatnik Bridge is the central feature of this shot. Built in 1961, the High Bridge was renamed for Congressman John A. Blatnik in 1971. Blatnik (1911-1991) was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1940, and he was a representative to the U.S. Congress for Minnesota's Eight District from 1947-1974.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The newly built High Bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin is highlighted in this postcard. Built in 1961, the High Bridge was renamed for Congressman John A. Blatnik in 1971. Blatnik (1911-1991) was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1940, he was a representative to the U.S. Congress for Minnesota's Eight District from 1947-1974.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This post card caption says Arena-Auditorium Duluth, Minnesota Fifth Avenue West and Waterfront. This beautiful new $6,100,000 multi-purpose facility will have an Auditorium to accommodate 2,500 people, and Arena with seating capacity up to 8,000 persons, an Exhibit Hall, 9 Meeting Rooms, and complete Banquet Facilities. The Arena-Auditorium will make Duluth the Convention Entertainment and Sports Center of The Upper Midwest. The building will be completed in 1966. This illustration is an architect's rendering of the proposed arena auditorium design. Ground was broken December 19, 1963.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Noronic was the largest Canadian passenger steamship vessel on the Great Lakes. It was owned and operated by the Canada Steamship Lines Limited. On September 16, 1949, docked in the Toronto harbor, the ship burned in the middle of the night with more than 130 passengers losing their lives. The fire started in a linen closet. The design and construction of the 36-year-old ship were also found to be at fault. The interiors had been lined with oiled wood instead of fireproof material. Exits were only located on one deck instead of all five. None of the ships fire hoses were in working order. Damage suits for the Noronic were settled for just over $2 million. In 1911, the peak year, 80,000 passengers traveled to Lake Superior. After 1920, the number of passenger cruise ships diminished with the advent of "motor-cars." Very few cruise ships were still in service after World War II. The last of those, the South American, made its last visit to Duluth in the 1966 season.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of a lake vessel in the canal entering the Duluth harbor. There are a number of sites visible where rubble is evident as Duluth razes older structures to make way for new construction. Canal Park is evolving from a light industrial commercial district into what will be a model tourist destination in another decade. The Flame restaurant is the bright white rectangle at the left center. The Flame supper club opened in 1930. The Aerial Lift Bridge was first operated on March 19, 1930. The present bridge has a clearance of 138 feet when the lift section is completely up and when down it is 16.5 feet above the water. The length of the span is 386 feet and weighs 900 tons. The distance from the water to the lower edge of the truss is 172 feet 7 inches; to the top of the truss it is 227 feet. During the shipping season it makes about 25 lifts a day. The new bridge is owned and operated by the City of Duluth on permit authorized by Congress. The Ship Canal and grounds are under the authority of the Lake Superior Area Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This post card caption says Dutch Ship Colytto - 475 feet-long and 62-feet wide with a tonnage capacity of 9075 tons arrives at Duluth coming through the canal and under the famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Duluth is the westerly terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway. This is an ocean general cargo vessel. Its derricks and booms enable it to load various package cargoes. The St. Lawrence Seaway is the common name for a system of locks, canals and channels that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the North American Great Lakes, as far as Lake Superior. Legally it extends from Montreal to Lake Erie, including the Welland Canal. The seaway is named after the Saint Lawrence River, which it follows from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. Proposals for the seaway started in 1909, but were met with resistance from railway and port lobbyists in the United States.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This post card caption says D-117 Foreign Vessel entering Duluth Canal and passing under the famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Duluth is the westerly terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It looks like this is the Dutch vessel Colytto. The lift span is up. The sand beach of Minnesota Point is at the right with waves moving toward it. The neighborhood on Minnesota Point is called Park Point. There are a number of spots along the Point where access to the beach is especially popular, but life guards and a beach house are only at "the end" where you can also find playing fields including a place for polo. The address is 5000 Minnesota Avenue for the recreation area, and it is not truly at the end of the Point. Further along is the Sky Harbor Airport and further yet is the bird sanctuary.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This post card caption says D-103 NITE VIEW OF AERIAL LIFT BRIDGE Duluth, Minnesota Vessels from the world's ports arrive at the Duluth-Superior Harbor after transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway. A few more details could include that the St. Lawrence Seaway, after a 40 year struggle, was officially opened June 26, 1959, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II. On July 11, 1959 several thousand people gathered in Canal Park, and more lined the lake shore as far north as the Lester River, to celebrate the first ocean-going vessels to arrive in Duluth following completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The full caption on this post card says Giant Ore Carrier going through the canal and under the famous Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minn. Ore and grain carriers measure as long as 729 feet carrying up to 26,000 tons. Duluth is the westerly terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The caption on this post card says JOHN A BLATNIK BRIDGE A Foreign Ship enters the Duluth-Superior Harbor Westerly Terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Port Authority Terminal is shown in the background. This is the Interstate Bridge. The original Interstate toll bridge was built in 1897, property of the Duluth-Superior Bridge Company, a subsidiary of the Great Northern Railroad. It was replaced by the this High Bridge or the Blatnik Bridge as it was renamed in 1971.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Duluth Arena Auditorium, the Aerial Lift Bridge and the buildings and streets of downtown Duluth are lit up in this night time view of the Duluth Harbor. Ground was broken December 19, 1963, for the Arena Auditorium, it opened in August 1966. It was renamed the DECC or Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in August, 1987. The NC sign is on top of the Alworth building. The Northern City National Bank's NC was there from 1957 to 1980 when the bank became First Bank Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A night view shows the lights of Duluth's central business district and lights along the piers of the canal. The two central buildings are the tall Alworth building and the wide Medical Arts building both on the lower side of Superior Street. Fourth Avenue West is bright and visible and runs next to the darker Providence building. All three buildings still stand.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A Pittsburgh Steamship Division vessel is just about to move under the lift span of the bridge. If the crew looks toward the hillside it will see Minnesota Slip, Industrial Slip, remnants of the North Western Fuel Company coal dock, Northern Pacific Railroad docks 5 and 6, the site of Fifth Avenue West and Commerce Street that once was the bustling warehouse district and includes the Lakes Transit Company, F.A. Patrick building, Northern Drug wholesale building, and the electric company power station. The Flame Restaurant is the light rectangular building near the water's edge. Remnants of the Whitney Brothers rock crushing business are at the far right in the lake.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View from the Duluth harbor to the hillside and up the shore. The $283,000 Canal Park Marine Museum's (dark building under the bridge) ground breaking was September 12, 1972, followed by a dedication event September 29, 1973. In 1973, it cost the Army Corps of Engineers $40,000 annually to operate the museum which has always been free to the public. The Museum Expansion dedication was July 5, 1979. To the left of the Marine Museum is the striped awning of Grandma's Restaurant (opened in 1976) but the rest of Canal Park is still in transition. It will become a tourist destination as all of the industrial business are sold and closed and replaced by shops, restaurants, hotels, and the Lake Walk. On the shore line at the far left is Leif Erikson park.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The passenger vessel South American was built in 1914. During the summer season, the vessel made weekly trips between Buffalo, New York and Duluth. The 321-foot vessel, with a passenger capacity of 440 and a crew of 170 made its last visit to Duluth in 1966.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Tanker Asia transported grain from Canada to the Great Lakes. It was sold in February 1960 to D. B. Deniz Nakliyati T.A.S., Istanbul, renamed and reflagged Gaizan, Turkey and delivered to the buyers in Galveston, Texan in 1960. There is no trace of this vessel after 1977.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The post card caption says These giant ore and grain carriers measure as long as 729 feet and have a pay load of up to 26,000 tons. They make the round trip from Duluth to Lake Erie ports and back in 4 to 5 days. There are over 300 ore and grain carriers operated by some 25 companies.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Colorized or hand colored image of a vessel entering the harbor. Waterfront industrial structures are beyond the bow of the ship. The lighthouse structure at the left dates from 1901. The formal name is South Breakwater Inner Light Tower formerly owned and regulated by the federal government. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is 67 feet tall. The tower's light was first lit in 1901. It was bought in December 2008 by Steve Sola and Matt Kampf of Duluth. The winning bid was more than $31,000.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
You are overlooking part of Duluth's business district from the hillside. The bridge's lift span is up as an ore boat is approaching the canal to exit the harbor. The tallest blond buildings are the Alworth at the left (built in 1909) and the Medical Arts (1932) to its right. The Arena Auditorium complex (renamed the DECC in 1987) is nearer to the aerial lift bridge in front of the ore boat. At the far left is Canal Park. The tall building is the DeWitt-Seitz, currently full of shops, restaurants, businesses and meeting rooms. The DeWitt-Seitz Co., whose plant, factory, warehouse and offices were at 390 South Lake Avenue was one of Duluth's prosperous industries. The company, organized in 1905 by Henry F. Seitz and C. E. De Witt, manufactured all grades of mattresses and box springs, and the wholesale and jobbing of furniture and floor coverings. The DeWitt-Seitz best grade mattress and box spring, known as the Sanomade and carrying the slogan "Remember the Name, the Rest is Easy," was used and advertised all over the country. Its wholesale furniture and jobbing business covered Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigan, North Dakota and parts of South Dakota and Montana. Including salesmen, the company employed a total of 60 persons in its nine story building that still stands as the De Witt-Seitz Market Place. In 1930, it employed "more than 40 persons" and had a payroll of $100,000. F. S. Kelly Furniture Co. bought the furniture stock of the company in June 1961. DeWitt-Seitz continued manufacturing mattresses and reorganized the firm, but the mattress company was sold in 1962.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A laker prepares to enter the Ship Canal in this view of downtown Duluth, Canal Park and Minnesota Point. In the center right of the image is a rear view of the Duluth Civic Center buildings. In Canal Park on the left of the image we can see the DeWitt Seitz and Marshall Wells buildings. Zenith was a brand name used by Marshall Wells.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
At the far left you can see the tall DeWitt-Seitz Mattress Company building in Canal Park, whose plant, factory, warehouse and offices were at 390 South Lake Avenue was one of Duluth's prosperous industries. The company organized in 1905 by Henry F. Seitz and C. E. DeWitt, and manufactured all grades of mattresses and box springs, and the wholesale and jobbing of furniture and floor coverings. The DeWitt-Seitz best grade mattress and box spring, known as the Sanomade and carried the slogan "Remember the Name, the Rest is Easy," was used and advertised all over the country. Its wholesale furniture and jobbing business covered Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigan, North Dakota and parts of South Dakota and Montana. Including salesmen, the company employed a total of 60 persons in its nine story building that still stands as the DeWitt-Seitz Market Place in Canal Park. In 1930, it employed "more than 40 persons" and had a payroll of $100,000. F. S. Kelly Furniture Company bought the furniture stock of DeWitt-Seitz in June 1961. De Witt-Seitz continued manufacturing mattresses and reorganized the firm, but the mattress company was sold in 1962. The Fifth Avenue West overpass is at the far right. Downtown is between with the Arena Auditorium on the harbor waterfront in the middle of the image.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view is from just below First Street looking down Second Avenue West. Glass Block department store and the Sellwood building are on the corners of Superior Street and Second Avenue West. Railroad Street and ice filled slips are between downtown and the bridge. Minnesota Point extends beyond the bridge at the top of the image. Glass Block was built in 1893 and three floors added in 1902. It closed in 1981. The Sellwood was built in 1908 and still stands.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View from near Enger Memorial Tower in Enger Park. The park is located at Sixteenth Avenue West and Skyline Parkway Drive. The 330 acre Enger Park was dedicated June 15, 1939 by Olav, Crown Prince of Norway. Bert J. Enger (1864-1931) fifth member of Duluth's Hall of Fame, who provided funds for a municipal golf course, left two-thirds of his $185,000 estate to civic enterprises and charitable organizations including: Aftenro Society, Bethany Children's Home, Wesley Methodist church, Norwegian-American Historical Society, Salvation Army, Lighthouse for the Blind, and Miller Memorial hospital maintenance fund. Enger park, acquired partly by gift from Bert Enger, was acquired by the city of Duluth between 1891 and 1928. Enger Tower cost $30,000 to build, is six stories high, 70 feet tall, 583 feet above Lake Superior. You can see 31.4 miles on a clear day. It has a 10 foot conical shaped beacon at the top with 32 vertical tubes. One third of the $185,000 Enger estate, $61,000, was to be used for a civic memorial.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View from near Enger Memorial Tower in Enger Park. The park is located at Sixteenth Avenue West and Skyline Parkway Drive. The 330 acre Enger Park was dedicated June 15, 1939 by Olav, Crown Prince of Norway. Bert J. Enger (1864-1931) fifth member of Duluth's Hall of Fame, who provided funds for a municipal golf course, left two-thirds of his $185,000 estate to civic enterprises and charitable organizations including: Aftenro Society, Bethany Children's Home, Wesley Methodist church, Norwegian-American Historical Society, Salvation Army, Lighthouse for the Blind, and Miller Memorial hospital maintenance fund. Enger park, acquired partly by gift from Bert Enger, was acquired by the city of Duluth between 1891 and 1928. Enger Tower cost $30,000 to build, is six stories high, 70 feet tall, 583 feet above Lake Superior. You can see 31.4 miles on a clear day. It has a 10 foot conical shaped beacon at the top with 32 vertical tubes. One third of the $185,000 Enger estate, $61,000, was to be used for a civic memorial.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
There are many places along the Lake shore to pause, wade, throw rocks into the water, and enjoy views toward the bridge and Canal Park or across to Wisconsin's south shore which you can see well on a clear day, or up the shore toward Canada.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view from Skyline Drive over the central business district of Duluth showing the curve of Minnesota Point is what this woman and two children see. People tend to get out of their cars to enjoy the wide view from Skyline. The Aerial Bridge has already lowered as the ore boat that passed under it now glides into the harbor. Northern Drug Company, or L. W. Leithhead Drug in earlier years, is the multistory building next to the new Fifth Avenue West curving road. The Flame Restaurant and sign are visible on the harbor shore at the tip of the ore boat between the Duluth Arena Auditorium (now called the DECC - Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center) and the circular Radisson Hotel.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view from Skyline Drive shows the buildings of downtown Duluth and Canal Park. Minnesota Point stretches beyond the Aerial Lift Bridge. Formerly known as Rogers Boulevard, Skyline Parkway stretches 25 miles from Becks Road east to the Lester River, ending at Lake Superior. Skyline Parkway was designated as a State Scenic Byway in 1998.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view from Skyline Drive shows the buildings of downtown Duluth and Canal Park. Minnesota Point stretches beyond the Aerial Lift Bridge. Formerly known as Rogers Boulevard, Skyline Parkway stretches 25 miles from Becks Road east to the Lester River, ending at Lake Superior. Skyline Parkway was designated as a State Scenic Byway in 1998.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This view from Skyline Drive shows the buildings of downtown Duluth and Canal Park (left). Minnesota Point stretches beyond the Aerial Lift Bridge. In the foreground, the roadway formerly known as Rogers Boulevard, Skyline Parkway stretches 25 miles from Becks Road east to the Lester River, ending at Lake Superior. Skyline Parkway was designated as a State Scenic Byway in 1998.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A band is playing on the steps of the Federal Building in the Civic Center. The Federal Building is at the right, the St. Louis County Courthouse is behind you and a little to the left. Duluth's City Hall is not visible, but is at the far left, facing the Federal Building. The cylindrical building is the Radisson Hotel. The Arena Auditorium is just in front of the Aerial Bridge. The span is up: a vessel is either outbound or inbound. Cars and pedestrians on either side of the bridge must wait. They are being "bridged" or stopped by the vessel traffic. On the other side of the tree and the child on the bicycle is the civic center pool and fountain.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The lift span is up; a vessel either just entered the harbor or is soon to exit but the ship is not visible. From the Marshall-Wells sign at the left to the Aerial Bridge is the area known as Canal Park. At the time of this image, there is still a mix of business and industry in this compact area. It is not going to be a tourist attraction until Grandma's Restaurant opens in 1976, followed by dozens of other amenities. Minnesota Slip will hold the 600-foot William A. Irvin ore boat museum in 1986. The Marshall-Wells Company started in 1886 as Chapin and Wells Company a wholesale hardware business. Albert Morley Marshall, son of Seth, bought controlling interest in 1893 and changed the name to Marshall-Wells Company. The company grew to include 14 wholesale offices throughout the northwestern U.S. and Canada. In 1955 Ambrook Industries Inc. of New York bought controlling interest. Kelley-How-Thomson, Marshall-Wells merged January 1, 1958. Kelley-How-Thomson had been a subsidiary of Marshall-Wells since 1955 when Ambrook bought Marshall-Wells and reorganized. The Coast-to-Coast Stores bought the Duluth division of Marshall-Wells-Kelley How-Thomson Company in 1958, which ended the Duluth firm's operation. Coolerator Company began in 1908 as the Duluth Show Case Company. Its name changed to Duluth Refrigerator Company in 1928, and to the Coolerator Company in 1934. It was a subsidiary of the Marshall-Wells Building Corporation.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This area is below Superior Street. Superior Street is the main street in downtown Duluth. Minnesota Slip (water), on some 1920s maps called Lake Avenue Slip, is the parking spot for four lake vessels in this photograph. Today this slip holds the William A. Irvin ore boat museum. The slip is bounded by the Northern Pacific Railway Dock and the NP's low freight sheds on the right, and by Canal Park on the left. The sign on the brick building next to the Robert N. Joynt vessel says North Star Terminal and Dock Company; Standard Salt and Cement Company. The Marshall-Wells company was located in Canal Park and was in fact the world's largest hardware distributor for decades. The Coast-to-Coast Stores bought the Duluth division of Marshall-Wells-Kelley How-Thomson Company in 1958, which ended the Duluth firm's operation. The Marshall-Wells water towers stand tall next to the De Witt-Seitz mattress manufacturing building. De Witt-Seitz is a mixed-use building today of shops, restaurants, offices and meeting spaces. Zenith was a brand name for many Marshall-Wells products. Everything in this view will transition into a tourist destination.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Nearly a companion photo to 2161.6, this is an autumn day. View of Duluth from above Skyline Drive out to Lake Superior where laker and saltie vessels wait to come in to the harbor. There can be a pile up of vessels waiting for cargo that has not yet arrived for pick up. In this case, there was a grain millers' strike in progress. The strike, called by Local 118 of the American Federation of Grain Millers, lasted twelve weeks beginning on July 6. It began against two of the eight elevators in the Twin Ports, but by July 25 affected all elevators. It had nothing to do with the longshoremen. You can see the orange bottoms of some of the vessels. They are riding high on the water without the weight of their cargos. Once filled, the vessel's weight forces the orange portion to be underwater and not visible. You can also see the cranes on the decks of the vessels. The cranes are used to transport commodities onto the vessel. There is an ore boat and tug in the bay. The Arena Auditorium is just to the right of the Aerial bridge. The Arena is an oval shape. Opened in August 1966, the Arena Auditorium complex was altered later and finally renamed as the DECC, Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The Normandy Inn hotel and restaurant building stands out with its red name on a white wall. The Normandy, on Superior Street between Second and Third Avenues West, opened in December 1977 . It becomes the Holiday Inn in the early 1980s, a part of the Labovitz and Goldfine properties. The Normandy stands on what was called the Lyric Block named for the grand Lyric theater that occupied 75 feet of frontage on Superior Street for decades. Duluth's first Skywalk segment connected the Normandy with the First American National Bank across Superior Street. The block with the Lyric theater was razed beginning in June of 1976 for new development. The distinctively shaped, round, Radisson Hotel is obscured by trees. You can just see the top of it. It is further west on Superior Street. The Radisson opened in May 1970. The NC sign is on top of the Alworth building. The Northern City National Bank's NC was there from 1957 to 1980 when the bank became First Bank Duluth. The smokestack at the left is part of the Duluth Steam Cooperative that supplies heat to many downtown buildings.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View over downtown Duluth from Skyline Drive or the Parkway. Skyline Parkway extends from Becks Road east to the Lester River, ending at Lake Superior. The road skirts the ridge line of Duluth, though portions extend into Proctor and Midway Township. About 25 miles of it can traveled by car. The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,832 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. A laker is entering the harbor having just passed under the raised aerial lift bridge. The tall, light-colored buildings on Superior street are, left to right, the First National Bank (1958), the Alworth building (1909), and the Medical Arts building (1932). The cluster of brownish buildings at the tip of the ore boat are the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Station depot Minnesota Point extends in a graceful curve beyond the bridge. You can see the sand beach on the lake side that is enjoyed by locals and visitors. There is a park with amenities at what is called The End, which includes baseball and polo fields and the Park Point Beach house.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of Downtown Duluth from Fourth Avenue West including the Duluth Harbor, Aerial Lift Bridge, Minnesota Point, and Lake Superior. Duluth City Hall and the St. Louis County Courthouse and jail are visible in the center right. Just below the Lift Bridge are the tall Alworth building and the wider Medical Arts building, both on the lower side of Superior Street. Along the waterfront are Minnesota Slip, Industrial Slip, the North Western Fuel Company coal dock, to the right is the Northern Cold Storage Building, 702 West Railroad Street. A number of lake vessels are grouped together in the center of the harbor.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A vessel enters the harbor in this view of downtown Duluth and Minnesota Point. Fifth Avenue West runs directly from the St. Louis County Courthouse to the waterfront in the lower right corner of this image. At Fifth Avenue West and Superior Street is the Holland Hotel on the right; and on the left the brownstone Spalding hotel building which will be razed in 1963. On the lower left of this view are the tall Alworth building and the wide Medical Arts building both on the lower side of Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections