The Priley Fountain, is a feature of the Duluth Civic Center that draws residents, downtown workers, and visitors. Joseph Carl Priley (1902-1981), born in Duluth, was elected in 1953 to the office of Finance Commissioner of the City of Duluth. He was elected Second District County Commissioner in 1958, serving until his retirement in December 1974. "Petunia Joe" instituted a civic beautification program which received national attention and a letter of appreciation from Lady Bird Johnson. On July 26, 1970, Mayor Ben Boo dedicated the courthouse fountain and circular drive to Mr. Priley for his courthouse flower gardens. He was also a well known musician, playing the viola in the Duluth symphony. In 1986, Duluth city officials announced they would extend the streetscape project to include the Civic Center. The $900,000 project involved paving Priley Drive and the sidewalks with bricks, renovating the fountain, and planting trees and shrubs.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Dorothy Molter standing next to her paddle fence with flowers in the background. Dorothy is wearing her iconic blue Keds tennis shoes with holes in the toes. She was known to wear these shoes while wading up flowages in 40F-50F degree water during October and November.