July 27, 1922: Duluth’s Walter Hoover returns a conquering hero

On this day in Duluth in 1922, the Garrick Theatre showed moving pictures of Duluth’s Walter Hoover of the Duluth Boat Club as he became the world champion rower by taking the Diamond Challenge Sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames, England. The film was sent via airplane to Chicago and on to Duluth by special rail, arriving via just one day before Hoover himself returned to the Zenith City. The movie showed Hoover being greeting by New York City Mayor John Hylan and a reception in Gotham’s city hall. The following day Hoover himself was in Duluth, where a “monster” reception awaited him. Business and factories closed between 8 and 9 a.m. so that workers, backed by the American Legion band, could cheer Hoover when he arrived at 8:30 at the Omaha Station. Hoover was the second American to ever win the Diamond Challenge. The first, Edward “Ned” Ten-Eyck, was the son of James Ten-Eyck, legendary coach of the Duluth Boat Club. Read the coverage of the hero’s return here:,  here: 7.28-1922_Hoover_01_DNT, here: 7.28-1922_Hoover_02_DNT,  and here: 7.29-1922_Hoover_01_DNT. (Note: one article mistakenly states that Ned Ten-Eyck was James’ brother, not his son, and that another American had won the Diamond Challenge before Ten Eyck.)