Archive Dive: Meet legendary Park Superintendent F. Rodney Paine

As the son of a prominent banker, Duluth park superintendent F. Rodney Paine was born with a silver spoon in his mouth—and with no need to pursue wealth selflessly dedicated himself to  the creation of one of the most remarkable park systems in the nation. Read a biography of the man who helped create Jay Cooke State Park, worked with Mayor Sam Snively to complete his vision of Skyline Parkway, and expanded Duluth’s park system with incredible vision—excerpted from the book Duluth’s Duluth’s Historic Parks—here.

F. Rodney Paine photographed while serving in the army during World War I. (Image: University of Minnesota Duluth Kathryn A. Martin Library Archives and Special Collections)