Category Archives: 1930s

Corner of Superior and Lake, circa 1930

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This photo, which dates to about 1930, shows the corner of Superior Street and Lake Avenue in downtown Duluth; it’s looking east up Superior Street.

At far right in the Freimuth’s Department Store building, and the dominant facade across Lake Avenue belongs to the Bradley Building. Next door to the Bradley Building is a building that, in this photo, appears to be home to the Boston Piano Co. (see close-up below). It appears to be the same structure that housed the Famous Clothing Co. for many years, and which survives today as the home of the Electric Fetus music store.

Here are some zoomed-in views of the store signs (click on the photos for a larger view):

I’m basing the date for this photo (there’s no caption information) mostly on the movie playing at the Strand Theater, next door to Boston Piano Co. It’s “The Other Tomorrow” starring Billie Dove, which Internet sources say was released in 1930. Certainly the cars must give some clue to the date, too, but that’s not an area of expertise for me.

And one other thing I noted…

A former home of the News Tribune (then apparently known as the “T.N.T.” as opposed to the “DNT”), in a building that still stands today, in renovated form, as part of the Wieland Block development.

Spot anything else interesting in these images? Share your memories and stories by posting a comment.

Hockey mystery photo

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Marti Wise of Maryland sent us this great old photo of a hockey team from Duluth’s West End, seeking information about the team and the players (click on the picture for a larger view):

The first uniformed player on the left in the back row is Edward Olson, Marti’s husband’s grandfather. The second uniformed player from the right in the back row is Reuben Olson, Edward’s older brother. Marti said the photo probably dates to the 1920s, and no later than 1931.

The question now is, does anyone recognize anyone else in the photo? Can you provide any other details about the venue (Curling Club? Amphitheater?) or what game they may have won to earn that trophy?

Post a comment if you have more information, or send me an e-mail at akrueger(@)duluthnews.com.

And if you have any interesting old photos from Duluth, Superior or the surrounding area – whether you’re looking for information or not – send them my way; I’d be happy to share them with the community on this blog.

A view from the top of the Duluth Incline

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February 15, 1936

News Tribune reader Robert Johnsted Sr. sent us this picture a few years back for the old Then & Now column (he said we could keep it). It shows the view from the top of the Duluth Incline in February 1936. The incline railway at Seventh Avenue West, and closed just a few years after this picture was taken, in 1939.

You can read a lot more about the incline – and see many more great photos – at this site.

Here’s a zoomed-in view of the photo above:

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Share your memories by posting a comment.

Looking back at Duluth Central High School

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Sunday’s News Tribune features a story looking back at the history of Duluth Central High School, which will close this year after nearly 120 years of classes and memories at two locations.

The first Central opened in 1892 in the downtown building now known as Old Central High School, with its landmark clock tower. In 1971, Central students moved up the hill to the present location, with one of the best views in town.

Central High School has been featured a few times in the Attic; here are some of those posts:

Ceiling collapses at Central, 1963

Building new Central High, 1971

Driver’s ed at Central High, 1971

Longtime Central teacher and coach John Swain, 1969

Here is a gallery of more Central High School photos not previously featured in the Attic; click on the photos for a larger version….

Share your memories of Duluth Central High School by posting a comment.