Duluth's Early Days Photo Panels

Duluth's Early Days
Corian Photo Panels

These panels are found at the Main Library's Circulation desk. The scenes of Duluth were photo-engraved on Corian and, when illuminated from the back, the images are transformed into glowing views of the city and harbor. The varying depths of engraving allow the light to pass through the panel and make the photo increasingly visible. The thinner parts correspond to the lightest areas of the picture and the thicker parts are the darks. The Corian panels were paid for by a greatly appreciated anonymous gift to the Library.

Eight of these images have been reprinted as notecards by the Duluth Library Foundation. Packages containing 8 cards, one of each image, are available as a premium with a donation to the Duluth Library Foundation of $25 or more.

Panel 1

Duluth Boat Club, 1887 The Boat Club was founded in 1886. This boathouse was located at the foot of 7th Ave. W. and the harbor. This original structure burned down and was rebuilt in 1902 on Park Point at 10th St.	Cascade Park In 1888, the City Council created four parks: Cascade, Chester, Lincoln, and Portland Square. Many citizens helped build the elaborate masonry. Cascade Park was originally 49 acres at Mesaba and 6th St.
Aerial Bridge, 1910 The Duluth Aerial Ferry Bridge inaugurated passenger service on March 27, 1905. It could carry up to 125,000 pounds at a top speed of 4 m.p.h. In this 1910 photo, the whaleback steamer Alexander McDougall departs Duluth.

Panel 2

Duluth Public Library Extension Service, 1926

Book delivery by Miss Wilkinson in an early form of a bookmobile. This vehicle provided house-to-house service for Duluth's
foreign-born population.
Duluth Normal School
Duluth Normal School
Built in 1898 to train teachers, the Normal School became part of the
University of Minnesota, Duluth. This building was called "old Main,"
at 23rd Ave. E. and 5th St., destroyed by fire in 1992.

Library Delivery

Library Staff pack up books being sent to branches and the homebound.

Panel 3

The Metropolis, Passenger Boat, about 1870
The Metropolis, 1870
Ships brought people and goods to Duluth, but also provided recreation. Side wheel and stern wheel paddleboats took excursions up the St. Louis River to Spirit Lake and Fond du Lac.
Interstate Bridge

This swing span toll bridge linking Rice's Point in Duluth to Connor's Point in Superior
was completed in 1897. It provided passage between the two cities for trains, wagons,
and eventually motor vehicles. It was replaced by the Blatnik Bridge in 1961.

Duluth Harbor, about 1870

Harbor improvements and the shipping industry began in the 1870's
with significant dredging and the opening of the Duluth ship canal.

Panel 4

Duluth Incline Railway, 1891-1939
Incline Railway, 1891-1939
The "Incline" ran uphill from Superior Street at 7th Ave. W. to Skyline Drive. A large pavilion at the top was designed by Traphagen and Fitzpatrick. The pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1901.
View from the Incline
View from the Incline
Looking down to the harbor and Park Point, about 1930. Two sets of tracks were elevated on concrete footings. The cars were pulled by a steam engine at the top.

Old Jail and Police Headquarters

Designed by Oliver G. Traphagen and opened in 1889, this sandstone building near the corner
of 2nd Ave. E. and Superior Street has been well preserved. Next to it on the corner is
the old City Hall. This view is of the back entrance on Michigan Street in the early 1900's.

Panel 5

Indian Dwelling

The Ojibwe people have lived in the Duluth area since the 1600's. Wigwams and canoes were skillfully made of birch bark.
Masonic Temple Opera
Masonic Temple Opera
Originally a six story building housing a theater, Masonic Lodge and offices, this Richardsonian Romanesque Revival brownstone building was designed by Charles
McMillen and E.S. Stebbins in 1889. The top three stories were removed in the
early 1940's when owner, G.G. Hartley, realized that they blocked the view of his
new 3,000 light tower on the remodeled Norshor Theater.

The Oatka Branch

This second structure built by the Duluth Boat Club was located at Oatka Beach
on Park Point at 39th St. in 1906. A two-and-a-half mile watercourse ran
between the two clubhouses.

Panel 6

Duluth Public Library
Duluth Public Library
Andrew Carnegie gave $75,000 to the city for a new library. The Carnegie Building opened in 1902 and was used until 1980.
Library Staff, 1890's
Library Staff, 1890s
After several private and subscription libraries closed in the 1870's and 1880's,
the Duluth Public Library officially opened on August 1, 1890 in rented quarters
in the old Masonic Temple Opera Building at 2nd Ave. E. and Superior Street.

Spalding Hotel
Spaulding Hotel
Located at 5th Ave W. and Superior St., the Spalding
opened in 1889. This landmark was razed in 1963.
White City, Minnesota Point
White City, Minnesota Point
Duluth's 1906 amusement park, located on Park Point, near the present beach house.
A merry-go-round, miniature train, dancing pavilion, boating facilities, picnic grounds
and other attractions were enjoyed here until 1909 when the fences were torn down
and it reverted to a free picnic and concert spot operated by the streetcar company.

Duluth Public Library Andrew Carnegie gave $75,000 to the city for a new library. The Carnegie Building opened in 1902 and was used until 1980.	Library Staff, 1890's After several private and subscription libraries closed in the 1870's and 1880's, the Duluth Public Library officially opened on August 1, 1890 in rented quarters in the old Masonic Temple Opera Building at 2nd Ave. E. and Superior Street.
Spalding Hotel Located at 5th Ave W. and Superior St., the Spalding opened in 1889. This landmark was razed in 1963.	White City, Minnesota Point Duluth's 1906 amusement park, located on Park Point, near the present beach house. A merry-go-round, miniature train, dancing pavilion, boating facilities, picnic grounds and other attractions were enjoyed here until 1909 when the fences were torn down and it reverted to a free picnic and concert spot operated by the streetcar company.

Duluth Public Library Extension Service, 1926 Book delivery by Miss Wilkinson in an early form of a bookmobile. This vehicle provided house-to-house service for Duluth's foreign-born population.	Duluth Normal School Built in 1898 to train teachers, the Normal School became part of the University of Minnesota, Duluth. This building was called "old Main," at 23rd Ave. E. and 5th St., destroyed by fire in 1992.
Library Delivery Library Staff pack up books being sent to branches and the homebound.

The Metropolis, Passenger Boat, about 1870 Ships brought people and goods to Duluth, but also provided recreation. Side wheel and stern wheel paddleboats took excursions up the St. Louis River to Spirit Lake and Fond du Lac.	Interstate Bridge This swing span toll bridge linking Rice's Point in Duluth to Connor's Point in Superior was completed in 1897. It provided passage between the two cities for trains, wagons, and eventually motor vehicles. It was replaced by the Blatnik Bridge in 1961.
Duluth Harbor, about 1870 Harbor improvements and the shipping industry began in the 1870's with significant dredging and the opening of the Duluth ship canal.

Duluth Incline Railway, 1891-1939 The "Incline" ran uphill from Superior Street at 7th Ave. W. to Skyline Drive. A large pavilion at the top was designed by Traphagen and Fitzpatrick. The pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1901.	View from the Incline Looking down to the harbor and Park Point, about 1930. Two sets of tracks were elevated on concrete footings. The cars were pulled by a steam engine at the top.
Old Jail and Police Headquarters Designed by Oliver G. Traphagen and opened in 1889, this sandstone building near the corner of 2nd Ave. E. and Superior Street has been well preserved. Next to it on the corner is the old City Hall. This view is of the back entrance on Michigan Street in the early 1900's.

9/8/10 Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802

9/8/10
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802