History

Minnesota’s Oldest Craft Co-op Celebrates 45 Years

Northland Uncovered: Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts

CASTLE DANGER, Minn. – In a little shop along the North Shore dozens of Northland artists and crafters display their passions. “There are some forms that are kind of lost. Like, we have a lady that does tatting. Most people don’t even know what tatting is,” said Mabel Tarlton, President of the Board for Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts. Northwoods…

New Café Brings Year-Round Jobs, Revitalization to Gary New Duluth

The Trophy Café is locally owned and operated by Mont du Lac Resort

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn. – Gary New Duluth has lived through decades of history. Buildings have changed ownership and new beginnings have come and gone. Now, one local resort is expanding into the neighborhood, inviting you to stop by for a fresh home cooked meal. “When you make an order, a chef in the back is going to make it…

New Fairlawn Exhibit Features Servants’ Quarters

The Fairlawn Mansion in Superior Will Now Host Tours of the Servants' Quarters

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Most Northlanders have heard the name Martin Pattison and understand the incredible impact he had on the City of Superior any beyond. But what about another group of about a dozen who lived at his mansion as well? In this week’s Northland Uncovered, we learn a little about them and the new way they’re being honored on…

Douglas County History: The Story Behind Charles Starkweather

Former Superior Mayor Impeached Just to Become Mayor Again

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A one-time mayor of Superior, Wisconsin had an unlikely path to the mayor’s office and an uncommon exit as well. Charles Starkweather, originally from Vermont, moved to Superior in 1889. He was elected to the common council in 1893 and became the city’s mayor two years later. Starkweather was impeached because he allowed salloons to have unlicensed…

Duluth Huskies Partner with The Duluth Experience for “Pre-game Pourtage”

DULUTH, Minn. – This summer the Duluth Huskies are partnering with The Duluth Experience for a new kind of pre-game experience. For every Wednesday home game, they’ll host the Pre-game Pourtage. This tour begins at 3:30 p.m. with a history tour of Wade Stadium. That is followed by transportation to Bent Paddle at 4:00 p.m. with the opportunity to try…

Group Works to Preserve Gravestones

Northland Uncovered: Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps

DULUTH, Minn. – A local preservation corps is expanding their knowledge of gravesite conservation. The Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps is training at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth. Nationally recognized gravestone conservator, Jonathan Appell is leading the training, “It empowers people to have the knowledge and skills to go on and work themselves and make a difference in their region, their…

Going Inside the Old Cloquet Middle School

Northland Uncovered: Nearly 100 Years of Cloquet Middle School

CLOQUET, Minn. – School memories last forever, but some Northlanders are now having to say goodbye to the place those memories were formed. Cloquet Middle School is closing and moving to a new location. So, former and current students said goodbye and took last tours of the school. “The last month has been real bittersweet,” said Cloquet Middle School Principal Tom…

Uncovering Logging and Lumberjack History

Northland Uncovered: Tom's Logging Camp

DULUTH, Minn. – Shipping and mining are a couple of the industries many think of when picturing the beginnings of this region, but another profession also kept thousands of men employed. In this week’s Northland Uncovered we head to Tom’s Logging Camp just up Highway 61. “There was almost no protections. If you got hurt you were kind of out…

Class Offers Glimpse into Carlton County Past

Northland Uncovered: Carlton County Historical Society

CLOQUET, Minn. – Many people like to know how the area they live in came to be. Some folks in Cloquet are helping make that happen. The Carlton County Historical Society is hosting a five-week course on the history of the county. Museum Director Rachael Martin will conduct the classes based on archival materials from the historical society’s collection. This…

Superior Once Predicted to be “Next Chicago”

Northland Uncovered: Superior the Boom Town?

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Today, the Twin Ports is a thriving harbor, but years ago the city of Superior was predicted to be the “next Chicago.” Executive Director of the Douglas County Historical Society, Tony Tracy, says the population was once even at 40,000 compared to the nearly 27,000 today. Tracy says the enthusiasm for the city started back in the 1600s….

Carpet Removed to Reveal Original Wood Floors at Glensheen

Red Carpet Had Been in Place for 40 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen Mansion is revealing some old floors that look brand new. The red carpet has been removed from the basement to unveil the original woods floors throughout the level. The work was done throughout the month of April. The wood was refinished with a natural stain. This is the first time since the 1970s that this basement…

40 Years of Paint Removed from Glensheen Room

Stenciling Unveiled in Alfred's Room

DULUTH, Minn. – History is being revealed at Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. Hard work is bringing life back to the walls of Alfred’s room. After 40 years in hiding the original stenciling in Alfred’s room is on full display at the mansion. “We really strive to make it feel like it was in 1910,” said Jane Pederson, Marketing Manager for Glensheen….

Battle Flag from Spanish-American War in Superior

Northland Uncovered: Company I Flag Lives On

SUPERIOR, Wis. – An American flag is displayed proudly in Superior as military history lives within its fibers. This flag is owned by Dr. Jim Hoeffling of Twin Ports Chiropractic. His dad found this flag while tearing down a house and brought it home when Hoeffling was a child. After a little research, Hoeffling was able to get to the bottom…

Historic Duluth Estate to Host Annual Gala

2017 Glensheen Gala Focuses on French Culture

DULUTH, Minn. – Soon, Glensheen Mansion will be opening the doors to guests for an evening full of class and celebration. The Annual Glensheen Gala is Saturday, May 13 from 7-10 p.m. This year, the event follows a French theme with appropriate food and drink selections. Glensheen will be opening rarely-seen spaces as well as some not available to the…

Northland Pizza Shop Celebrates 63 Years

Northland Uncovered: Sammy's Pizza

DULUTH, Minn. – Picking up a slice can mean a tasty dinner for many Northlanders, but for one family it means carrying on a tradition. This year Sammy’s Pizza Inc. is celebrating 63 years. Sam Perrella is the Vice President for Sammy’s Pizza Inc. and is the third generation working for Sammy’s Pizza. His grandfather started the business in 1954…

Education Fills 1890s Duluth Building

Northland Uncovered: Lakeview Christian Academy

DULUTH, Minn. – Memories made at school stay with many of us forever, and one school in Duluth is working to build that type of close-knit community inside a building already full of Duluth history. Learning fills the classrooms of Lakeview Christian Academy, but the walls preserve more than 120 years of history. “The neat thing is they don’t make…

New Exhibit to Open in SS Meteor Whaleback Ship Museum

Volunteers Needed for Annual Work Weekend

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Spring is here and that means tourists will soon be filling the Twin Ports. In Superior, volunteers with the Superior Public Museums are working hard to ensure the buildings and displays are in perfect shape for tours. Fairlawn Mansion is open year-round, but soon the SS Meteor and Old Firehouse and Police Museum will open their doors for…

Group Seeks New Purpose for Old Jail

Northland Uncovered: Old St. Louis County Jail

DULUTH, Minn. – The historic Zenith city has several landmarks within its borders. Some of these historic staples are quickly losing their shine. That’s why the Duluth Preservation alliance has made a list of 10 endangered properties in town. The old St. Louis County Jail is one of them. It was built in 1924 to complement the Civic Center. The…

Native American History on Display in Superior

New Exhibit Opens at Douglas County Historical Society

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new exhibit is opening up at the Douglas County Historical Society highlighting Native American culture in our area. The planning for this exhibit began when a Dugout Canoe was discovered in storage in 2015. The canoe was actually donated in 1939 and was found to be authentic Dakota. On Saturday, February 25th at 11 a.m. the…

Medical History on Display at Karpeles Manuscript Museum

Display to be shown through April

DULUTH, Minn. – Throughout history medical discoveries have changed the lives of thousands. For the next few months, some of these medical miracles will be on display at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Duluth. “This diskette was assembled by Alexander Fleming,” said Museum Director Doris Mulkmus, “this is one of only five disks from his original 1928 experiments.” The diskette…

Fairlawn Mansion Offers Flashlight Tours for Friday the 13th

Touring the Mansion in a Different Light

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Friday the 13th is just around the corner and Fairlawn Mansion is ready to celebrate. There will be flashlight tours offered on Friday to see the mansion in a different light. It’s not your typical Fairlawn tour. Guides will talk about ghost stories and superstitions throughout the tour. Additionally, the garden talks offered at Fairlawn mansion will…

Glensheen Looks to Keep High Tour Numbers in 2017

Moonlight Showshoe Events Held Wednesdays

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth landmark is seeing a record number of visitors. In 2015, Glensheen Mansion had the highest tour numbers the estate had experienced since the 1980s. According to Marketing Manager Jane Pederson, in 2016 the numbers were more than 20,000 higher than in 2015. Glensheen has started hosting events on Wednesday nights, with a different theme each…

Train Timekeepers Featured at Lake Superior Railroad Museum

Northland Uncovered: Railroad Watch History

DULUTH, Minn – Railroad tracks cover thousands of miles throughout Minnesota including routes for freight rail, passenger rail and rail transit. Back in the day, railroad companies helped many industries throughout the area to grow and prosper. The trains are on time at the Duluth Depot thanks to a new exhibit featuring the watches responsible for railroad success. “It allows…