The Rentola

The building permit for the Rentola was issued in the summer of 1918.

Aw, they took out the big porch and the windows.

Where do you go about finding building permits like this one?  I'd like to know some info on my house if its out there somewhere.

I'm not sure how far back they go at City Hall, but the one above is from the July 7, 1918, Duluth News Tribune.

My sister lived in the Rentola in the 1980s. Her apartment was basically one huge empty rectangle with one tiny window. It's a really crappy place, and I was surprised to hear it was remodeled in the 80s, because it seemed run down even then. Probably because they used cheap materials and there was a lot of rental turnover. 

The residents all said the place was incredibly haunted. I was kind of scared to be there as a kid.

My mom said that when she was a kid in the 40s, it was basically a "flophouse," full of transients and drunks. It had a reputation for violence and seediness.

In the 90s, I delivered phone books there, and it seemed like all the residents at that time were mentally handicapped. I don't know if there was some type of program in place there, or if they were just a lot of handicapped people taking advantage of the cheap rent.

It's nice that all three photos include one automobile from their respective era.

Check out that stone foundation. Awesome! Must be bluestone. I lived in a house on Observation Hill in what some said was a Polish enclave back in the day.  The house was as desecrated with modern add-ons, decks, etc. as much as they ruined the Rentola, but it had an awesome stone foundation.

I was looking at zenithcity.com and a photo of the impressive Spalding Hotel. It incorporated sculptural stone ornamentation and a combo of stone and brick construction.

What an architectural gem. Pity it was torn down.

Wouldn't it be nice to see such fine buildings in Duluth again? There's an abundance of stone that could be utilized in construction. We just need stone cutters. Now there's a job!