History Posts

Mystery Photos: Handsome Men at Ely Studio

Jun 09, 2023 1 Comment

The identities of the four gentlemen in this photo are not known, but the postcard is marked as having been shot at the Ely Studio. Photographer Cook Ely operated in Duluth from roughly 1895 to 1914, with a stint in St. Paul somewhere in the middle. Ely Studio was located at 2030 W. Superior St. — the corner where the Anderson Furniture building stands today.

This photo sold recently on eBay, where it was titled “RPPC Handsome Men w Hats Ely Studio of Duluth Studio Real Photo Postcard.”


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Minnesota Historia: The Ope Files

Jun 08, 2023 1 Comment

The story of a UFO that ran into a deputy sheriff’s car in Marshall County may have inspired The X-Files. But since this is Minnesota, it’s being calling the “Ope, I’m Just Gonna Scooch Right Past Ya Here” Files.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.


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Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Sealex Linoleum Floors

Jun 06, 2023 6 Comments

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about. Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines.

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History

Minnesota Historia: Boomtown!

Jun 01, 2023 2 Comments

The history of Minnesota’s Iron Range is full of boomtowns. That word usually refers to any town that grows rapidly due to economic prosperity. But in the case of Eveleth, “boomtown” took on a more literal definition. Twice.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.


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Postcard from the Passenger Station at Duluth circa 1910

Jun 01, 2023 No Comments

This early 20th century postcard shows the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Passenger Station, which was located in Duluth’s old waterfront warehouse district — basically between Amsoil Arena and the Ordean Building where I-35 is now.


History

Miller Music Company: Photos from the Estate of Ben B. Miller

May 29, 2023 No Comments

One century ago the Miller Brothers opened Miller Music Company at 8 W. First St. in Duluth’s Spina Building. According to the Kathryn A. Martin Library’s Archives & Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Duluth, “Abe Miller was a violinist and the manager of the Duluth Symphony for 37 years beginning in 1932. Ben was an assistant manager of Northern Drug prior to launching the music store in 1922.”

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History, Music

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Frigidaire

May 26, 2023 7 Comments

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about. Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines.

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History

Matchbooks from Duluth Hotels and Motels

May 25, 2023 No Comments

Modern and fireproof, featuring the finest food and liquors, located at the center of everything and on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior, containing all possible comforts and conveniences, with lodging available for the whole family, they are the classic hotels and motels of Duluth.

This is the fourth in Perfect Duluth Day’s series of matchbook collection posts. As always, we remind everyone to please close the cover before striking.

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Minnesota Historia: The Magic of Smelting

May 24, 2023 No Comments

Explore Minnesota’s love affair with smelt, the shimmering silver fish that’s easy to catch and fun to eat. Now that Lake Superior’s smelt population is in decline, an annual parade in downtown Duluth keeps that love alive.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.


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Mystery Photo: Perhaps a Duluth Fraternal Group from 1908

May 23, 2023 2 Comments

This image is from a postcard mailed 115 years ago today — May 23, 1908 — available for sale on ebay. It’s been touched up a bit here for easier viewing. The obvious mystery is what organization the people in the photo belong to.

The item is listed on eBay as “1908 RPPC Duluth Minnesota College Club Vintage Postcard MN Land Point Idaho ID.” The “college club” part of that is clearly speculative. Many of the men have sashes and badges that suggest perhaps they are part of a fraternal club like the Odd Fellows.

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Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: The Sportsman Magazine

May 23, 2023 1 Comment

Sportsman Magazine Ad

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about.

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History

Video Archive: Trinity Lutheran Church circa 1943

May 21, 2023 No Comments

This roughly 80-year-old film features scenes at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1108 E. Eighth St. in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. Also in the film are a nearby market, the Kenwood Community Club and a building under construction.

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Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: To the Orient on Canadian Pacific

May 21, 2023 3 Comments

One of the cooler things about the adverts from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale are the ads for travel on the train. Before planes, before interstates, the train was ubiquitous for travel. I love this ad for “To the Orient on Canadian Pacific.”

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History

Minnesota Historia: Mr. Magoo the Mongoose

May 18, 2023 No Comments

In 1962, a mongoose at the Duluth Zoo was sentenced to death by the federal government, but he’s not the only animal in Minnesota who finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.


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Dinner at Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Luth’s House

May 17, 2023 4 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I posted an explanation of how to get to Saint-Germain-Laval, France, the hometown of Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Luth, the person after whom the city of Duluth is named. I was not entirely sure if my own trip there would happen. It did, and that post has now been updated with more accurate information and a few explanatory photos for anyone in the future who might be interested in visiting.

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History