The Chicago Shipbuilding Company of Chicago, a subsidiary of the American Shipbuilding Company, built the steamer William E. Cory for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company in 1904. The vessel dimensions are 569' X 56' X 31'. She sailed from Chicago on her maiden voyage August 12, 1905 bound for Duluth to load iron ore. The aerial bridge was new. Bids were opened March 25, 1901, but only one was received. The Duluth Canal Bridge Company was awarded the contract but abandoned the work. In February 1904, the Modern Steel Structural Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin was issued a contract. Work began July 20, 1904. On February 23, 1905, with local dignitaries at hand, the bridge was first operated. Regular service began the next day according to newspaper accounts. The city engineer's report for 1905 stated that the bridge was "completed and commenced operation on May 5, 1905, and a few problems were corrected in running the bridge over the next few days." The Aerial bridge was completed in February 1905. The aerial bridge transporter or gondola or transfer car roadway was 17 feet by 50 feet with sidewalks seven feet by 50 feet, the cabins were 30 feet long. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office building with flag above it was built in 1906. Also visible in the image are the National Biscuit Company 517 Lake Avenue South, Blanchet Hotel 520 Lake Avenue South, and Wieland Flats 502-512 St. Croix Avenue
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A view from an upper window of the Duluth Malt and Brewing Company at Twenty Ninth Avenue West between Huron and Railroad streets. These Lincoln Park houses will be lost during interstate construction.
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
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 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
This is the lower side of Superior street between Third Avenue West on the left and approaching Fourth Avenue West on the right. The buildings left to right are Lonsdale at 300, Alworth at 306-308, Siewart's 310, Irving Moore Memorial 312, Torrey 314-316, St. Louis Hotel 318. If we could see a little further toward Fourth the Providence building would be near the corner. The St. Louis hotel was razed and the Medical Arts building constructed in its place in 1932.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Ben Franklin Dime Store and Burch's Shoe Store in St. Peter are shown in this photograph. Both businesses operated for many years in St. Peter before other businesses moved into the buildings. They were on the west side of the 300 block of South Minnesota Avenue.
This tinted photograph was taken from the Nicollet County Courthouse. It shows businesses along South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter. Part of the St. Peter Public Library is visible along Mulberry Street at the lower right. A pile of construction material is in the avenue near Grace Street.
View of businesses along the west side of South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, beginning at the left from a location near Mulberry Street and extending to Broadway at the far right. The city's streetlights were located in a line down the middle of the avenue at that time.
The Konsbruck Hotel at 412 South Third Street and the Tegner and Peterson Grocery Store at 408 South Third Street are among the St. Peter businesses that can be seen in this image. A car is parked in front of the hotel. The siren at the Fire Station can be seen north of the hotel, at the far right of the image.
Looking southward along South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter from a location near the intersection with Broadway. The signs of many businesses that have since disappeared can be seen, such as Stensby Cleaners, Big John's Restaurant, the State Theater, Gannon's Restaurant, and the Odell Pharmacy.
The Hallmark store, the Ben Franklin Dime Store and Burch's Shoe Store in St. Peter are shown in this photograph. These businesses were eventually replaced by other businesses that moved into the buildings. They were on the west side of the 300 block of South Minnesota Avenue.
The Citizens State Bank, Schleuder's Jewelry Store, and Dick's Clothing Store in St. Peter are shown in this photograph. The buildings are on the west side of the 300 block of South Minnesota Avenue. The bank failed in 1924. Signs for Dr. Trench, a local dentist, and for attorney L. D. Keogan are visible.
Two cars parked in front of Dorotha's Cafe and three transport trucks getting gas at the Mileage Gas Station in Windom. Loaded on the trucks are new cars and pick-ups.
The Roseau Fire burned the downtown buildings up to Mike Holm's barber shop. Holm's barber shop was saved by pouring water on blankets and wet sawdust.
This bank was built in 1887. The American Exchange merged with First National Bank and was renamed First and American National Bank in 1929. You can see the bronze plaque with this name on the corner of the building. It became First American National Bank in 1958, First National in 1974 and Norwest in 1983. In 1998 Norwest merged with Wells Fargo and elected to take the more familiar name Wells Fargo.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Front exterior of George Farrell's John Deere dealership located on Dakota Street in Prior Lake, MN. The building later went on to become Del Busse's garage, a sign company, and the Prior Lake Library.
Store front of the Quevli's Store with a poster in the window that reads "Grand Celebration" for the upcoming three day event on June 20-22. Passing by on the street is Dr. Moen in his new automobile, one of the first in the city.