This carbon copy of a Claude Turner document is an historical overview about the bridge re-design. It includes discussion of contracts, alternate design, and petitions. Also includes exhibits A, B, and C from interested parties communicating with the Duluth City Council.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
An aerial view (for a 1961 Photo Contest) of the Duluth-Superior port and the incomplete high bridge, a tied-arch suspension span, whose construction began November 28, 1958 and was dedicated December 2, 1971.
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
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
This post card caption says D-88 Showing the new $6,5000,000.00 Duluth Arena-Auditorium on Harbor Drive. The Arena Auditorium opened to great fanfare in August 1966. It was renamed the DECC or Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center August 31, 1987. It was expanded and opened with celebrations on June 18, 1990. The Harbor Side Convention Center and Parking Ramp additions were opened January 31, 2001.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
D-5 The caption of this post card says One of the nation's top attractions is Duluth's famous aerial bridge which must be raised for each approaching steamer into the harbor, and stretches the mainland of Duluth to the Minnesota Point which juts out into Lake Superior for nine miles. This card was mailed in August of 1958, but these streetlights on the piers were replaced about 1955. Minnesota Point, or Park Point, is a long, narrow peninsula that extends out from the Canal Park area of Duluth separating Lake Superior from Superior Bay. Minnesota Point is approximately 7 miles in length, and when included with Wisconsin Point, which extends 3 miles out from Superior, Wisconsin, is reported to be the largest freshwater sandbar in the world at a total of 10 miles. Due to the short and easy portage across Minnesota Point, the Ojibwe name for the City of Duluth is Onigamiinsing ("at the little portage"). Since the digging of an artificial canal in 1870-1871 Minnesota Point is technically an island, connected to the rest of the city of Duluth since 1905 by the Aerial Bridge, since 1930 by the Aerial Lift Bridge. At the end of Minnesota Point is a small airport, Sky Harbor.
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
This view shows light the industrial Canal Park area at the left as you approach the Aerial Bridge and the 1966 completed Duluth Arena Auditorium at the center with its expansive parking lot. Sailboats and small pleasure craft are in the harbor. Fifth Avenue West overpass is at the far right. Note that Canal Park was not a tourist destination until the 1980s. It was zoned as a light industrial site for decades.
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 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
Spectators line the Ship Canal while a Navy destroyer and two small vessels pass under the Lift Bridge. In the background, sprays of water add to this celebration of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A Navy destroyer and other small vessels pass under the Lift Bridge, as spectators celebrate the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Clearly visible in Canal Park is the small white Army Corps of Engineers Building, which was constructed in 1906.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Submarine Corsair, accompanied by three small vessels, arrives in Duluth for the Seaway Celebration, July 11, 1959. Navy destroyers Sherman, U.S.S. C.H. Roan and Forrest Royal, also took part in this celebration marking the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Spectators line the piers of Duluth's Ship Canal to welcome Navy destroyers Sherman, U.S.S. C.H. Roan and Forrest Royal, along with submarine Corsair, marking the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The photographer, Elizabeth Jo Goodsell, was a Duluth community activist and a physical education teacher at Duluth East High School. She lived on Minnesota Point and was an avid photographer.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The lift span is up as spectators watch a line of pleasure craft sail through the Ship Canal, passing under the Aerial Lift Bridge. 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 completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. At the foot of the bridge, on the right of the image, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building. Observation Hill stands behind Canal Park and the harbor.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A Navy destroyer arrives in Duluth for the Seaway Celebration, July 11, 1959. Navy destroyers Sherman, U.S.S. C.H. Roan and Forrest Royal, along with submarine Corsair, took part in this celebration marking the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Duluth Arena Auditorium is at the center of this image, above and to the right of the Arena are the grain elevators on Rice's Point, and the John A. Blatnik Bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin. 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. The U-shaped building at the lower left is the Hotel Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A ship heads toward the canal to exit the Duluth harbor. The span is up on the Aerial Lift Bridge to allow the vessel to pass. The discoloration in the water around the ship could be fuel or other residue from vessel traffic in the harbor. Minnesota Slip is parallel to Canal Park in the center of the image; to the left is the Duluth Arena Auditorium. The Arena Auditorium's grand opening was in August 1966. It would be added to over the years and renamed DECC or Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This aerial view clearly shows the long narrow sandbar correctly called Minnesota Point but familiarly called Park Point by local residents. The Point has a recreation area at Thirteenth street and the larger facility including bathhouse, playing fields, and lifeguards at "the End" (the Park at the far end of the beach). To the left of the Point is Superior Bay, to the right is Lake Superior. At the top of the image is the hillside of Duluth. Hearding Island is off Minnesota Point toward the harbor. The island is the uninhabited site that has been called Bird Island by Park Point residents and Harbor Island by Duluth Bird Club members. The photographer, Elizabeth Jo Goodsell, was a Duluth community activist, teacher, and long time resident of Minnesota Point.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Looking toward the North Shore this aerial view shows the Duluth Arena Auditorium on the lower left. The Arena Auditorium opened in August 1966 and was renamed the DECC or Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in 1987. Just below the Arena Auditorium is the building that housed the Flame Restaurant. Located at 353 South Fifth Avenue West, the Flame opened in 1930 and closed on January 3, 1973. The water of Minnesota Slip is visible between Canal Park and the Arena-Auditorium. Off the shore of Canal Park in Lake Superior are the remnants of the Whitney rock crushing enterprise, visible here as a small brown rectangle. The Whitney Brothers, of Superior, Wisconsin, had a sand and gravel processing business that was functioning in 1919. The concrete form that is still in the water was the dredging/crushing building.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The lift span is up and a Cost Guard vessel is at the dock in this view of the Aerial Bridge taken by Duluth activist and Minnesota Point resident Jo Goodsell.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
In this aerial view the span of the Lift Bridge is down and traffic is free to flow between Canal Park and Minnesota Point. The newly constructed Marine Museum (now the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center) is visible in the lower portion of the image, adjacent to the right side of the canal; its grand opening was on September 29, 1973. Also visible in Canal Park are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building, next to the Marine Museum, the Sand Bar, 522 Lake Avenue South, and the home of Jeno's Incorporated, 525 Lake Avenue South, now known as the Paulucci Building. The sandy beach of Minnesota Point shows on the left side of the canal in this image.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This image shows Canal Park toward the end of its light industrial era. At the bottom center of the image, between First Avenue East and Lake Avenue, at 438 Lake Avenue South, is the Northwestern Iron and Metal Company scrap yard. The newly constructed Marine Museum (now the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center) is visible below the canal; its grand opening was on September 29, 1973. Also visible in Canal Park are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building (1906), next to the Marine Museum, the Sand Bar, 522 Lake Avenue South, and the home of Jeno's Incorporated, 525 Lake Avenue South, now known as the Paulucci Building. In the upper right corner of the image, on Minnesota Point is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vessel yard. An excursion boat in the canal approaches the harbor.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
An excursion boat enters Superior Bay (the Duluth harbor) under the Aerial Lift Bridge. Canal Park is on the left of the bridge, and Minnesota Point is on the right. The discoloration in the water of the Bay could be fuel or other residue from vessel traffic in the harbor.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections