This Day in Duluth Archive
March 23, 2001: Duluth Economic Development Authority unanimously rejects a proposal to acquire NorShor Theatre
On this day in Duluth in 2001, the Duluth Economic Development Authority voted 7–0 to reject a proposal to spend $1.48 million to acquire the Temple Opera Block, Orpheum Theatre, and NorShor Theatre (originally the Orpheum Garage) from owners Eric and Debbie Ringsred. The idea to purchase the buildings was championed by Duluth’s two youngest…
March 22, 1914: First airplane to crash in Duluth
On this day in Duluth in 1914, 21-year-old pilot Robert William Watt crashed his homemade biplane, becoming the first person to crash a plane in the Zenith City. He had begun building his Curtis biplane on September 1, 1913, at his home at 2015 West Fourth Street. On March 22, Watt and ten of his…
March 21, 1921: W. E. B. DuBois speaks at Duluth’s St. Mark’s A.M.E. Church
On this day in Duluth in 1921, W. E. B. DuBois spoke at St. Mark’s A.M.E. Church at 5th Avenue East and Sixth Street before a gathering of Duluth’s fledgling chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which DuBois founded. The Duluth group, 69 members strong, had been established in…
March 20, 1902: Engineering News publishes drawings for Aerial Bridge
On this day in 1902, the Engineering News published drawings of the yet-to-be-built aerial transfer bridge that would span the Duluth Ship Canal. The drawings were by structural engineer C. A. P. Turner of the American Bridge Company, working off notes by Duluth City Engineer Thomas McGilvray that adapted Ferdinand Arnodin’s plans for the aerial…
March 19, 1869: Birth of lawyer/inventor John R. McGiffert
On this day in 1869, future Duluthian John R. McGiffert was born in Hudson, New York. After a “liberal education,” he received a law degree from the New York Universoty in 1892 and made his way to Duluth that same year. According to one biographer, “while in school and during his law practice Mr. McGiffert…
March 18, 1915: Public Safety Commissioner Hicken ignores his “Stool Pigeon” critics
On this day in Duluth in 1915, Public Safety Commissioner John Hicken—who was running for reelection—addressed potential voters at the First Swedish Lutheran Church and managed to avoid addressing the issues raised by his very-vocal critics. Hicken had been on a mission to reduce problem drinking establishments throughout the city, and as the election neared,…
March 17, 1889: Alfred Merritt begins expedition to what is now the Mesabi Iron Range
On this day in 1889, Alfred Merritt and a crew of six men started off on an expedition that would eventually lead to the opening of the Mesabi Iron Range. Here’s how recounted the story in 1917: “The year 1889 the first work was done on what is now the Mountain Iron Mine. I took…
March 16, 1915: Birth of Duluthian and Song writer Sammy Gallop
On this day in Duluth in 1915, future songwriter Sammy Gallop was born to Russian immigrants Morris and Dora Gallop. According to Zenith City’s David Ouse, Gallop grew up in Duluth and attended Central High School, graduating in 1932. The 1932 Zenith, Central High’s yearbook, indicates he didn’t participate in many extracurricular activities. His older…
March 15, 1900: Life magazine calls Duluth the “meanest city in the United States”
On this day in 1900, Life magazine ran a brief story calling Duluth the “meanest city in the United States.” Someone called “Frozen-Face Ike” was credited for the following story: “The meanest city in the United States? That’s easy, for there is but one city in this country, or on this globe for that matter,…
March 14, 1913: Death of Duluth pioneer Roger Munger
On this day in Duluth in 1914, pioneer Roger Munger died at 83 years of age in the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Dwight Woodbridge. After he and his brothers, who performed as the Munger Bothers Orchestra, opened the state’s first music store in St. Paul, Munger and his wife Olive moved to Duluth…