Paul Lundgren Posts

The NorShor Theatre’s Mighty Tower

Aug 18, 2010 28 Comments

In preparation for the events this week honoring the Orpheum Theatre’s centennial at the NorShor, Tony Dierckins put together a slide show with some fantastic historical photographs. You can see the whole thing on Saturday — it’ll be looping in the NorShor’s balcony theater — but here’s one of my favorite images:

This is the tower that used to be part of the theater’s marquee. You’ve probably seen photos of it from the other direction, but this one uniquely looks out over the lake. The tower stood 65 feet above the theater, weighed over 300 tons, and was completely sheathed in porcelain. It used 3,000 lights and was said to be visible from 60 miles away.


History

Hey, wait, I wasn’t paying attention and now I’m upset and want everyone to go over the whole thing again from the beginning

Aug 17, 2010 30 Comments

So, remember a few weeks ago when I tried to spit out as much information as I could about the planned development in Riverside because apparently local news organizations didn’t think it was particularly controversial and had no interest in reporting on it until after the Duluth City Council voted?

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News and Current Affairs

Art in Bayfront Park, Aug. 21-22

Aug 16, 2010 No Comments

In between Tribute Fest and the Orpheum Centennial at the NorShor Theatre is another big event this weekend, the Bayfront Park Art Fair.

Over 80 artists will display their gallery-quality art in Bayfront Park on Saturday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 22. Admission is free. Food vendors range from mini donuts, cotton candy and cheese curds to hot dogs, burgers and chicken fried rice.

It’s gonna be a perfect Duluth weekend. Click the links above for the details.


Events

Duluth Turban Lady, 1997

Aug 16, 2010 11 Comments

In 1994 I worked for six months at the Holiday Stationstore at 3401 Grand Ave., next to Wheeler Fields. The store closed around 2003 and the building is empty now. As you can imagine, there were a number of characters that frequented the store. One of them we called Turban Lady.

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Photos ,

The Great Hawk Chase

Aug 14, 2010 1 Comment


Events, Outdoors, Sports

The Life and Brawls of Thomas Madden — former chief of West Duluth Police, saloon keeper and old fashioned thug

Aug 13, 2010 8 Comments

This post is a follow up to the post requesting information about Duluth’s old bowery district. The focus here is on Tom Madden, who managed to find himself in the news a lot. Set the Wayback Machine for 1891 and we’ll go in chronological order from there.

Dec. 13, 1891 | Duluth News Tribune

WILL IT BE MURDER?
——————————
Patrick Mulligan May Die From Injuries Received From Chief Madden.

Patrick Mulligan, who runs the “Little Diamond saloon on Central avenue, and who had his jaw broken a few days ago at the brickyard bagnio by a blow from ex Chief of Police Madden, was taken yesterday to St. Mary’s hospital, where he is now hovering between life and death. His jaw was set by Dr. Magie a day or two ago, but serious inflammation has set in, and the doctor said yesterday it would probably be necessary to put a silver tube in his throat to enable him to breathe. His case is a very serious one and the chances are even between life and death.

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History

The Duluth Accordionaires — Music to Eat Pizza By (1967)

Aug 12, 2010 19 Comments

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History, Music, Photos , ,

Duluth 2010 Primary Election Results

Aug 10, 2010 6 Comments

With 4,136 of 4,136 precincts reporting:

FEDERAL OFFICE


United States Representative, Minnesota District 8 Independence Party
Timothy Olson — 2,515 | 100%

United States Representative, Minnesota District 8
Republican Party
Chip Cravaack — 26,602 | 100%

United States Representative, Minnesota District 8
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
James L. Oberstar — 56,369 | 80%
W.D. (Bill) Hamm — 13,836 | 20%

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News and Current Affairs, Politics

A special primary election day message from the guy in Cotton who reminds us we’re all a bunch of toys

Aug 10, 2010 8 Comments

Yeah, this sign is from the 2008 election — and has been posted on PDD before — but it’s still up, and the “I told you so” has been added since then.

Whether you’re a toy or not, you still have the right to vote and bitch. You even have the right to not vote and still bitch. So take that for what it’s worth.

Sample ballot posted here.


News and Current Affairs, Politics

Iron Ore Bar in Tower, Minnesota

Aug 08, 2010 9 Comments

I heard it referred to by one of the locals as “Beirut.” It’s actually quite the normal-looking bar on the inside.


Photos, Recommendations ,

NorShor Centennial Celebration

Aug 04, 2010 No Comments

There are three big events coming up to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the opening of the Orpheum Theatre, which was remodeled to become the NorShor in 1941.

Thursday, Aug. 19 | 7pm
This is a vaudeville-themed event featuring Tangier 57 in the mezzanine lobby, the North Shore Big Band on the main stage and a photo documentary on the history of the Orpheum/NorShor by Tony Dierckins. There will be complimentary champagne, live music, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $100 per person and proceeds benefit the NorShor restoration project.

Saturday, August 21 | noon
This is an open house with a wide variety of free entertainment, including performances by the Arrowhead Chorale, Over the Top Dance Co, Spin Collective, Duluth Playhouse Children’s Theater, Aurora Baer, Minnesota Ballet, DJ Path Annu and more.

Saturday, August 21 | 8 p.m.
This is a night of live music featuring some of Duluth’s hottest bands, including Modern Gentlemen, Poetry Motel, the Fontanelles, the Little Black Books, the Moon is Down, Cars & Trucks, Batteries and the Acceleratii. This event has a $5 cover charge.

The NorShor is back! It’s now under the management of the Duluth Playhouse, with tons of help from artists, businesses and community members who want to see it succeed. Watch norshortheatre.com for info about future shows, including the return of the Boogieman Project Halloween bash on Oct. 30.


Events, Music

Get your last Gluek

Aug 04, 2010 23 Comments

Gluek brand beer ending after 153 years


R.I.P.

Spirit Mountain’s Alpine Roller Coaster is pretty neat, but the old Duluth Skyride looks a bit more intimidating

Aug 03, 2010 20 Comments

Originally called the Incline Plane Railway, this tram system started service in 1891, carrying passengers up Seventh Avenue West from Superior Street to Ninth Street. The photo above makes it look downright terrifying.

And, of course, there was one day in which it was indeed a terrifying ride, though no one was on it.

On May 28, 1901, a fire started in a coal bin in the engine room of the powerhouse. Wind carried the fire to the pavilion at the top of the incline. The heat of the fire melted the tram cables, and a burning trolley raced down to Superior Street, where it crashed into Superior Street Station. No one was injured.

Hot!


History, Photos

Competition in the corn maze business

Aug 02, 2010 5 Comments

Engwall Florist, Greenhouse & Garden Center is growing a 52,000-square-foot corn maze that will open Sept. 10 at its Hermantown Road location.

Engwall’s Corn Maze at the Garden Center will be the closest corn maze to Duluth … at least that I’m aware of. Silver Brook Corn Maze is in Wrenshall and opens Sept. 17.

Engwall is partnering with the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, donating a dollar from each paid admission to the corn maze.


Uncategorized ,

Downtown Sales

Aug 02, 2010 27 Comments

You may have noticed in the past month or so that the old sign has been removed from the Lange Motor Building, best known as the location of the former Carlson Book store, revealing an older sign for Downtown Sales.

What was Downtown Sales? It was an odds and ends store that preceded Bob Carlson’s bookstore venture. Does anyone remember anything about it? We’re talking late 1970s.

R. O. Carlson Used Book & Record closed in March 2003. Big Lake Book had a short run after that, followed by Boardwalk Book. Rod Raymond and Tim Nelson own the building now, which is being gutted of literally tons of old water-damaged books and magazines. No word on future plans.

This part of Superior Street used to be called “Automobile Row,” up until about the 1960s. The Carlson Book building was home to Interstate Auto Co., Kent Motors, Lange Motors and probably a bazillion other businesses.

So there’s a half-ass history outline. Fill in the blanks if you know anything.


History, News and Current Affairs , ,