Aerial view of the Duluth civic center. Fifth Avenue West leads up to the St. Louis County Courthouse. The Duluth City Hall is on the right and the Federal Building is on the left.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Christmas lights in downtown Duluth on Superior Street looking east from Third Avenue West in 1957. The 1932 built, Art Deco style, Medical Arts building is at the far right. Odd, there is no snow.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Lake Avenue is perpendicular to Superior Street in downtown Duluth. Lake Avenue runs up and down the hillside. In Duluth, you are either directed "up the hill" or "down the hill", "away from the Lake" or "toward the Lake." Lake Superior is the primary fixture we orient people to. Lake Avenue is the road that leads you to the Aerial Lift Bridge. When you have crossed the bridge you are on South Lake Avenue on Minnesota Point. The businesses on South Lake Avenue in Canal Park are the businesses "below" Superior Street en route to the Bridge. Many of the buildings on South Lake Avenue are original frame or brick and stone buildings dating from the 1870s and 1880s. The little frame building at the right in the foreground of this photograph is 241-243 South Lake Avenue, the Standard Salt and Cement Company. Across the avenue is General Electric Supply Company at 244-246 South Lake Avenue. The board walk is still functioning. The Coast-to-Coast Stores bought the Duluth division of Marshall-Wells-Kelley How-Thomson Company in 1958, which ended the Duluth Marshall-Wells hardware firm's operation. The sign is not fibbing, Marshall-Wells was in fact the world's largest wholesale hardware company.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Looking east from Michigan street and Sixth Avenue West. The Union Depot is at the right. Hotel Columbia is across the street with its awnings extended.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Downtown from about tenth avenue west looking east; Superior street; street railway car barn; Spalding; horse drawn streetcar; double streetcar tracks; people; coal docks; Kelley Island Lime and Transfer; see 332
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This is a view of Seventy First Avenue West and Grand Avenue. The Fairmont Park loop allows streetcars to turn around. Fairmont Park is home to the Duluth zoo. At the far right is a neighborhood grocery store.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of second avenue west and Superior street buildings on upper side of street; pedestrians; streetcar; George A. Gray Company became Wahl department store
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Sherwood building is at 318-320 West First Street. William C. Sherwood and Company real estate offices were on the first floor in the 1920s. The Sherwood building was at this address as early as 1911.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
West Duluth; Cody Hotel 332 Central Avenue frame three-story building with brownstone details between first and second story; Captain Forrest Maloney proprietor; fire escape; awnings tied back; Cody Hotel Buffet, Duluth's Brewing and Malting Company's Beer; window displays; signs El Roi-Tan Perfect Cigars; Buffet; J. H. Erickson Tailor; Men's Furnishings; barber pole; men; fire hydrant
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
National Iron Company was at Fiftieth Avenue West and Ramsey Street. From 1898, it designed and manufactured heavy machinery and structural steel. It employed 190 workers in 1916 with a payroll of $96,000.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Block of 214-220 West Michigan Street. The Commerce building is 214-220 West Michigan. The Nelson's Indoor Golf School and John Boshart Paper Company are in the Commerce.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Lyric Block is how Duluthians refer to the entire block of upper Superior Street where the Lyric Theater was located. The theater was razed in the mid-1970s, but it is fondly remembered as a huge and richly appointed vaudeville house that became a movie theater.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Lowell building at 29-33 East Superior Street, also called the Pastoret Stenson block, was gutted by fire on March 17, 1930: four people were killed in the apartments on the upper floors. The top three floors were removed, and the remaining building stood until demolished in 1999. A replica stands at the spot today. This Oliver Traphagen designed building was built in 1888.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Lowell building at 29-33 East Superior Street, also called the Pastoret Stenson block, was gutted by fire on March 17, 1930: four people were killed in the apartments on the upper floors. The top three floors were removed, and the remaining building stood until demolished in 1999. A replica stands at the spot today. This Oliver Traphagen designed building was built in 1888.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The corner building is the 1888 Lowell block or the Pastoret Stenson block after the fire that resulted in removal of the top stories . The taller building next door with the Kodak sign at 3 West Superior Street was designed by Oliver Traphagen and built in 1883 as the Bell and Esters bank building.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Hugh McKenzie was a principal Duluth photographer. McKenzie's studio was in this Seip Building or Smith Building 101 West Superior on the northwest corner. It was the last frame building in the main business district on Superior Street when it was torn down in 1926.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Freimuth's was at the corner of Lake Avenue and West Superior Street. In 1900 the address of the dry goods store of Ignatz Freimuth was given as 2-10 West Superior Street. It was razed May, 1968.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of three adjacent businesses: Arrowhead Cafeteria at 219 West Superior Street, Victor Huot French Confectioner at 217, and the edge of the Lyric Theater with its stained glass windows at 213 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A view of First Street businesses looking east. Power hardware is at 114 West First Street. Arthur W. Bullard lives upstairs and has his Bullard Knitting Mills in the street level of the Rowley Hall building at 112-116 West First Street. Home Made Candy is the confectionery business of James Zootes at 116 West First Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The corner building at Lake Avenue and West First Street is downtown Duluth holds businesses: Hockin Brace and Paleen furniture, H. L. Cook Company auto repairs garage, and White Sewing Machine Company. Up the avenue is the Masonic Temple's dome.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of downtown Duluth looking east from First Avenue West toward Lake Avenue. These are the businesses and buildings on the north or upper side of Superior Street. In sequence from the left are Oreck's clothing at 29-31 West Superior Street, Kinney Shoes 25 West Superior Street, Stack Company dry goods 21 West Superior Street, Kelly Furniture 17 West Superior Street, Hudson Bay Furs 15 West Superior Street,, Wirth building 13 West Superior Street, Silberstein and Bondy Co.. 9 West Superior Street, Wenger Furs 3 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
A view looking east on Superior Street. The King Joy Cafe is at 214 West Superior Street. Hotel Alvarado is at 212 West Superior Street. Floan Leveroos Ahlen Company is at 210-212 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of downtown Duluth looking east from Fourth Avenue West. These are the businesses and buildings on the south side of Superior Street. In sequence from the right are St. Louis Hotel 318-322 West Superior Street, the Torrey office building 314 West Superior Street, Memorial or Moore office building 312 West Superior Street, Alworth office building 306-308 West Superior Street, Lonsdale office building 300 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of businesses on West Superior Street looking east from the upper side of Fourth Avenue West. The St. Louis Hotel is at 318-322. The Alworth office building is the tallest. The hotel was purchased in 1930 by Royal D. Alworth (head of Oneida Realty Company). On March 31, 1932, a plan was announced to erect a $1,000,000 structure on the site. The hotel was demolished beginning May 19, 1932. September 1, 1932 contractors broke ground for Medical Arts Building which stands today.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
View of downtown Duluth looking east from Fifth Avenue West. These are the businesses and buildings on the south side of Superior Street. In sequence from the right are Spalding Hotel, the Manhattan office building 412-418 West Superior Street, Fargusson building 400 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Berg Brothers Drapery Shop and Universal Electric Supply Company are on the street level of the Builders' Exchange office building at the corner of First Street and Lake Avenue North. In 1902, the Duluth Builders' Exchange incorporated. Local builders saw advantages in mustering the most reliable firms into one accessible organization.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Berg Brothers Drapery Shop and Universal Electric Supply Company are on the street level of the Builders' Exchange office building at the corner of First Street and Lake Avenue North. In 1902, the Duluth Builders' Exchange incorporated. Local builders saw advantages in mustering the most reliable firms into one accessible organization.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Bridgeman-Russell processing plant at 1102-1116 West Michigan Street in Duluth. Their fleet of delivery truck have the PURITY brand on each one. The Primus Butter sign on the roof was another brand. Henry Bridgeman founded the company in Duluth in 1888 and incorporated 1903. Russell is Newell Francis Russell who was born on a farm near Rush City. The first retail store opened in 1936 in Duluth, and the company moved into the Twin Cities the following year.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Retail and office building at 10 East Superior Street or the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street. Stories were added in 1924 to total four. It was razed in the summer of 1979.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Superior street businesses; Alworth building 306 to 308 west Superior street was built in 1909 and is Duluth's tallest building with 16 stories; photo number 1912
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This building at 302 East First Street in downtown Duluth has had many occupants. It was a roller skating rink and dance hall in 1911. It was the Shrine Auditorium from about 1927. Here, in about 1937, it is Agen Motor Company a Dodge Plymouth sales and service business.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Lower side of West Superior Street of signs for downtown businesses Ace Hardware 212 West Superior Street, Jensens Shoes at 208 West Superior Street with the Endion Station Art Gallery above and Bud's Clothing at 206 West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The Bradley building was located at this Lake Avenue and Superior Street intersection of downtown Duluth. In 1924, upper floors were added making it four stories. It was razed in the summer of 1979.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Cornice and upper floors of Minnesota Surplus store and Mr. Nick's hamburgers, in the old Duluth Herald newspaper building, and Livingston's Big Duluth men's clothing store, on the lower side of West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Cornice and upper floors of Minnesota Surplus store and Mr. Nick's hamburgers, in the old Duluth Herald newspaper building, on the lower side of West Superior Street.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
St. Croix Avenue was parallel to South Lake Avenue. St. Croix Avenue was changed to South First Avenue East in 1912. This area has evolved over the decades. It was a neighborhood to various ethnic enclaves including Finnish and Jewish communities. It served people in transit in its many boarding houses. In 1885 a group of Jews living in the vicinity of St. Croix Avenue organized an Orthodox congregation. They bought a small house on St. Croix, converted it into a synagogue, and held services there for a few years. The Cleveland school was at St. Croix and Buchanan Street. The area became a red light district followed by removal of housing in the 1940s and 1950s followed by light industrial businesses taking root.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections