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
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
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
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
two sided brochure; Bus Guide and City Map: federal Office of Defense Transportation; under war time conditions; how riders may help speed up service; war transportation and national defense
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Interior view of the passenger depot at 606-612 on the lower side of West Superior Street was designed by C. E. Bell, Tyrie and Chapman of Minneapolis. It opened in early October 1910 and closed in the mid-1960s
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Passenger depot interior at 606-612 on the lower side of West Superior Street was designed by C. E. Bell, Tyrie and Chapman of Minneapolis. It opened in early October 1910 and closed in the mid-1960s
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections