Point of Rocks

Point of Rocks c. 1905. (Image: Zenith City Press)

Since 1887 Duluthians have been chipping away at Point of Rocks, a giant rock outcropping near Thirteenth Avenue West and Superior Street. Early attempts to remove the stone were spurred both by safety concerns and in order to make Superior Street straight. Shortly after the first blast in 1887, a huge boulder narrowly missed a man on horseback. In 1924 a movement grew to remove the natural landmark after 100,000 tons of rock fell onto Superior Street (another 100,000 tons fell in 1931 after heavy rains). Despite the blasting and collapses, Point of Rocks remains—albeit smaller—and Superior Street still bows around it.

For more about Point of Rocks, see also “Little Italy and The Glenn.”

Story by Tony Dierckins. Originally published on Zenith City Online (2012–2017). Click here for more stories by Tony Dierckins.