AUGUST 2013
We have one day to snoop around the greater Duluth area. Duluth is a major port city in Saint Louis County Minnesota, it is the second largest city on Lake Superior's shores. It sits on the north shore of Lake Superior. In the first half of the 20th century, Duluth was an industrial port boom town, having several grain elevators, a cement plant, a nail mill, wire mills, and the Duluth Works plant, an industrial steel and cement manufacturing complex that closed down in the 1980's. Images of the industrial life abound.
On the north side of town we found a number of large beautiful old homes, but, I could not get good photos and we could not stop. SIGHHH
As you drive north on 61, the scenery changes, nature's beauty is shown. Man and I pull off where we can, for photos, and gawking.
This is the site of Buchanan, home of the original U.S. Land Office in the northeastern land district in Minnesota Territory. Laid out in October of 1856, most of the town sites never sold. On June 26, 1859, the federal land office was relocated to Portland Township (later part of the city of Duluth). The site is considered an abandoned ghost town. You can read more about it here, and note that my second photo, is quite similar to one on this web page. Someone has a good eye - - just sayin - -
This is near Two Harbors, is that you Paul?? We did not stop to allow me to ask him.
Alas, my researching curiosity got the better of me, nope, not Paul, but rather, Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur. You can read all about him on Roadside America. Seems in 2017 Pierre had an argument with Mother Nature and Mother Nature slapped him around a bit.
Alas, my researching curiosity got the better of me, nope, not Paul, but rather, Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur. You can read all about him on Roadside America. Seems in 2017 Pierre had an argument with Mother Nature and Mother Nature slapped him around a bit.
This was a museum at the Duluth and Iron Range Depot.
The breakwater and lighthouse is nearby. The Two Harbors Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota, it overlooks Lake Superior's Agate Bay. Construction began in 1891 and the lighthouse was completed in 1892. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some additional history and information on touring the light house can be found here.
Meanwhile, back at the museum, we walked around outside and found two stunning old locomotives. Look how shiny and pristine they keep them.
This is the 229, it is a Yellowstone locomotive. It is one of 72 that were ever built in the U.S. The Yellowstones were 128 feet long, weighing over 400 tons, empty, as in with no coal or water to run it. It could carry 25,000 gallons of water and 26 tons of coal. The power of the Yellowstone was equal to that of four Diesel locomotive engines running today. (What a beast!!!!) The 229 was completely restored cosmetically in 2011.
As we left Two Harbors to continue our ride north on 61 we had a bit of a close encounter. Due to Man's great driving, no harm was done to either of these beauties or to Jolly. Our nerves may have taken a wee bit of a hit tho.
Per Sony's GPS and Google Maps, it appears they were crossing to play a bit of golf, or find some good eats, at the Lakeview National Golf Course.
The beauty of this day has just begun, there is so much more to see.
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