Mr. Steak, 1976

Nov. 16, 1976

This photo shows the Mr. Steak restaurant at 2120 London Road, where Burger King is located today. It looks like Burger King must have renovated, and not replaced, the old Mr. Steak building.

The caption that ran with this photo said it the building cost $700,000 and had seating for 208 diners; a lower level, with seating for another 100 to 120 people, was set to open within a year. Mr. Steak was a national chain.

On March 13, 1984, a News-Tribune article reported that the Mr. Steak building would be remodeled into "an unusual blend of Irish restaurant and Texas bar," called McLean's Irish Pub and O'Gilley's Bar. Mr. Steak's owners had filed for bankruptcy and the restaurant had closed the week before.

According to later news articles, McLean's and O'Gilley's closed in November 1984, and almost immediately reopened as McLean's Steak and Seafood and McLean's Lounge. It closed again in September 1985, then reopened again sometime in 1986, with the downstairs bar taking the name "MacLounge." A January 1987 article refers to the restaurant being closed yet again while undergoing remodeling by new owners. It was set to reopen as "J. Noreen & Co.," a fine-dining restaurant, with a sports bar called "H.B.'s" located downstairs.

That's where the trail goes cold. Does anyone know when Burger King took over the building?

Mr. Steak had at least one other location in Duluth, near Target at 2202 Maple Grove Road. That building now houses a branch of Grandma's Restaurant. Here is an uncaptioned photo from 1971 that I assume shows the Maple Grove Road Mr. Steak location:

Here is a close-up of the logo:

The Maple Grove Road Mr. Steak location was open until at least 1984; does anyone know how long it lasted?

Posted by: Andrew on 7/28/2008 at 2:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Farmer's Market, 1966

April 14, 1966

Here is a view of the Duluth Farmer's Market building at Third Street and 14th Avenue East from April 1966 - about the time it would have been starting up that year. If you drive past today, you'll see that not much has changed at this site in the past 42 years. (News-Tribune file photo)

** Limited posting until the first week of August. (Home repair projects beckon)

Posted by: Andrew on 7/25/2008 at 4:51 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Doty gives up on the McQuade Safe Harbor, 2000

July 25, 2000

Rocks are piled at the site of the proposed McQuade Safe Harbor project along the North Shore northeast of Duluth in May 2002. (Renee Knoeber / News Tribune)

DOTY GIVES UP ON MCQUADE PROJECT

LEGISLATOR FEARS COUNCIL'S DECISION TO BLOCK LEASE COULD IMPERIL FUTURE REQUESTS FOR STATE MONEY

NEWS TRIBUNE

After years of supporting the contentious McQuade Safe Harbor project, Mayor Gary Doty on Tuesday said it was time to "fold up the tent" and walk away.

Doty's announcement at a news conference followed the Duluth City Council's 6-3 decision Monday night to not lease land to the state for the planned $8 million harbor on 6.3 acres of city-owned land at McQuade Road and Scenic Highway 61.

"I continue to recognize the need for a safe harbor and a boat launch along the North Shore," said Doty, who has been one of the project's strongest supporters. "But as far as the city's role at this point, it's finished. It's time to step back and say there's nothing more we can do."

It wasn't clear Tuesday how Doty's decision would affect the project, which has received legislative approval for more than $4 million in state and federal funding.

The harbor would include a breakwater, two boat launches and parking for more than 60 cars. The original plans, which included more boat launches and amenities such as paved parking, were scaled back two weeks ago at the request of state legislators who said the state couldn't fund the full project.

Members of the McQuade Safe Harbor Committee still want to build the harbor, committee chairman Bill Beaudry said.

"The project is not a dead issue as far as the committee is concerned," Beaudry said. "The committee will be looking into and exploring options to continue the project."

One option could be a state takeover of the property through eminent domain, according to the Duluth City Attorney's office.

Doty said he was disappointed by the council's decision, which he said went against a 10-year tradition of City Council support for the project.

But Councilor Ken Hogg, who voted against the lease, disagreed.

"The mayor may feel that the council made a commitment, but at least during the time that I've been on the council, the council has never said or been told that it was making a final commitment on this," Hogg said.

While Doty could pursue a three-year lease deal with the state to allow for construction of the project, he said he would not. He said the DNR would probably not agree to such a short lease, only to face likely litigation when it expired.

Despite the strong message from the council, Hogg and others agree that the project is probably not altogether dead.

"I think we haven't heard the last of it somehow or another," Hogg said. "Although I don't know how that might be."

Councilor Hogg's premonition was right... for those who don't know, the McQuade Small Craft Harbor officially opened to the public earlier this month.

Posted by: Andrew on 7/24/2008 at 4:04 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Downtown Grand Marais, 1956

Jan. 31, 1956

There is no caption information on this photo other than the date, but it clearly shows downtown Grand Marais. Among the many recognizable buildings is Joynes Department Store, which looks pretty much the same 52 years later. Here is a close-up view:

Posted by: Andrew on 7/21/2008 at 11:24 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Como Oil explosion in Superior, 1998

July 21, 1998

NEWS TRIBUNE

An explosion and fire ripped through a Como Oil truck maintenance shop in Superior Monday morning, injuring three employees and prompting a neighborhood evacuation.

The explosion ignited a fire that destroyed the building and heavily damaged a house just a few feet from the shop in Superior's Itasca neighborhood. Burning propane tanks sent black smoke pouring into the air that could be seen in Duluth.

No one was seriously injured.

"We're not sure yet what caused the explosion," Superior fire investigator Don Piper said Monday afternoon.

At least one propane truck parked inside the building at 5122 E. Third St. was destroyed; the propane tank on another Como Oil truck parked outside burned throughout the afternoon, shooting a torchlike flame skyward.

Four people in the building when the fire started got out safely, according to Tony Sega, Como Oil's vice president of operations. One employee was taken to a hospital, where he remained later Monday. The others were treated and released for minor injuries, Sega said. Their names weren't available Monday.

Como Oil is a home-heating company that sells propane, fuel oil and natural gas. The building that burned was owned by Como Oil Co. and leased to Twin Ports Fleet Maintenance, a Como subsidiary that provides maintenance for all of the company's delivery trucks. The facility also services trucks for a variety of other local companies. Como trucks also fill up on home heating oil at the site.

Though a few Como trucks were damaged by the fire and explosion, Sega said there will be no interruption of service to customers.

"It's only a fleet maintenance shop. Only a couple of trucks were damaged and we have a lot of trucks," he said.

The building once was home to Como offices, but all business records are kept at the company's Duluth headquarters and were not damaged.

Authorities were notified of the explosion at Twin Ports Fleet Maintenance about 11:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed, Piper said. All the city's fire units responded, he said.

For a time, authorities feared more explosions were likely.

"Yes, the potential is there," Superior Police Capt. Scott Campbell said at the time.

Although more explosions didn't happen, Superior's hazardous materials response plan kicked in.

U.S. Highway 2 was blocked to traffic from 39th Avenue East to the State Highway 13 overpass. Nearby businesses closed and about two dozen households in a 1 1/2 -block radius were evacuated by city crews.

About 30 residents were taken by Duluth Transit Authority bus to Lake Superior Elementary School a couple of miles away.

Betty Hofstedt of East First Street was among those evacuated. She was on the phone when she heard the explosion.

"It's scary because that gas could've blown up this whole area," she said after returning home.

Carl Beckwell, also of East First Street, said the explosions could have been more disastrous, since a pipeline runs underneath the area.

"As far as the law enforcement officials and the fire department goes, I think they did a good job, considering," he said. "It could've been a lot worse than it was."

Josephine Naeyaert was at work when the explosion occurred a block or two from her house. She quickly drove home as her neighborhood was being evacuated. Authorities wouldn't let her into the area.

"I was worried," she said. "I've seen people lose homes and lives and things like that. I didn't want to see it happen to anybody out here."

Meanwhile, the maintenance shop and the truck's propane tank continued to burn.

"We'll let it burn," Piper said of the propane fire. "As long as the gas is venting, it means gas in the pressure tank has someplace to go."

By mid-afternoon, when enough of the gas had burned, crews moved in to extinguish the remaining blaze and put out spot fires.

By 3:30 p.m., Highway 2 was reopened and most evacuees were able to return to their homes. By 7 p.m., the tanker fire had been extinguished and the last of the evacuated residents were allowed back in.

But residents still have some cleanup to deal with.

When he returned to his home, Jack Swonger, who lives two blocks from the fire, noticed an "oily film" on his picnic table in his backyard.

When he ran his finger across it, it was black and greasy.

Posted by: Andrew on 7/20/2008 at 9:01 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

MacLaine stumps for McGovern, 1972

Sept. 28, 1972

Actress Shirley MacLaine (second from left), campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern, talks with Duluthians (from left) Aethan Hart, Kris Hendrickson and Colin Isaacson at the Auditorium. (News-Tribune photo)

According to the article that ran with this photo, MacLaine also spoke to shoppers at Goldfine's By The Bridge during her stop in Duluth to support McGovern in his run against President Nixon. Here are some excerpts:

"Her charge that the Nixon presidency is the most corrupt since Warren G. Harding drew applause at both stops. Miss MacLaine said she is proud to be an American, a woman, a Democrat and a backer of McGovern - but that under Nixon she feels that the United States has gained a bad name with other nations. ...

"Miss MacLaine took time to praise the environment of Duluth but sniped at Jeno Paulucci, a well-known local Democrat who is supporting Nixon for president and is co-chairman of Democrats for Nixon. ...

"Miss MacLaine was introduced by state Sen. Earl Gustafson at Goldfine's and by Minnesota Lt. Gov. Rudy Perpich at the reception. Duluth singer Chris Blanchard entertained the crowds at both locations before the actress spoke."

Posted by: Andrew on 7/18/2008 at 6:01 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Medical Arts Building, 1966

1966

This photo of the Medical Arts building on Superior Street in downtown in Duluth is from 1966. Note the absence of skywalks.

Here is a close-up of street-level business signs:

At far left is a sign that reads: Captain's Table Cafeteria Coffee Shop. Does anyone remember that restaurant?

Posted by: Andrew on 7/16/2008 at 10:10 PM | Comments (14) | Permalink

Silver Street in Hurley, 1950s

1950s?

Silver Street in downtown Hurley, Wis. (News-Tribune photo)

There is no date on this photo, but from the cars I'm guessing it's from the early 1950s. And, I'm pretty sure this is a view looking west from near the Wisconsin-Michigan state line. Hurley has a notoriously wild history - as evidenced by the number of bars and clubs visible in this photo. Even today, Hurley has a very high number of nightspots for a town of its size.

Here are some close-ups from the photo above; at least one bar has a Fitger's Beer sign:

Posted by: Andrew on 7/15/2008 at 10:57 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Metropole Hotel, 1972

July 8, 1972

The old Metropole Hotel on Lake Avenue South closes for good today, leaving only main floor businesses. (News-Tribune photo)

These excerpts are from the article that accompanied this photo:

The Metropole Hotel at 105 Lake Ave. S., described by owner Melvin Gallop as the "biggest third-class hotel in town," will close its doors permanently at noon today in belated compliance with a Minnesota Department of Health ruling.

Gallop was ordered at a hearing June 21 to remodel the 69-year-old Metropole to meet state standards by July 1 or to shut down, which left his more than 50 full-time tenants just 10 days to locate other suitable low-cost accommodations. ...

"Most of our guests have found places to stay in town and within two or three blocks of the Metropole," Gallop said. "But they're amazed, because most of the places they went to are more expensive and the conditions are worse." ...

Gallop's primary gripe was the thoroughness with which the state group checked his hotel before the shutdown order.

"Two months before the check, we passed the city fire inspection, but probably only the Radisson could have passed the test the state put us through." ...

"None of the people that left here went with relatives and none left with friends," Gallop said. "All their friends were right here at the Metropole." ...

The Metropole Bar, Joe Huie's Cafe and a barber shop, all operating in the same building as the hotel, are not affected by the shutdown.

Unless the street numbering has changed, an address of 105 Lake Ave. S would place the Metropole where Interstate 35 is today... so I assume the building is long gone. Does anyone know for sure?

Posted by: Andrew on 7/13/2008 at 9:30 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Malt cups, Push-ups and Robo Pops, 1987

May 29, 1987

Nicolle Leander, 5, points to her selection as Shelley O'Hearon waits to serve her as O'Hearon drove her ice cream truck along Vernon Street in Duluth. (Dave Ballard / News Tribune)

This ice cream truck carried quite a variety of frozen treats. Here's a zoomed-in view of the "menu":

Posted by: Andrew on 7/11/2008 at 3:40 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Blast from the past - video of the 1988 fireworks explosion

Here is a YouTube video featuring a pair of Duluth TV newscasts the day after the 1988 fireworks explosion:



Not only is there video footage of the explosion... there also is a lot of retro fun in seeing the old KDLH and WDIO news sets, old station logos and, most of all, Dennis Anderson and Michelle Lee from 20 years ago. (Note legendary local sportscaster Marsh Nelson in the KDLH news opener).

(Thanks to a commenter in the duluthnewstribune.com talk forums for passing along the YouTube link)

Now, back on hiatus for another week or so.
 

Posted by: Andrew on 7/05/2008 at 11:59 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Glass Block ticket office, 1966

Jan. 15, 1966

Here is another photo from the downtown department store files:

There's no caption information for this photo other than the date and the label on the folder, but I assume this is the ticket counter at the Glass Block store in downtown Duluth. There is a Pearl Bailey concert poster on the wall:

*** The Attic will be on hiatus for about 10 days because of a general shortage of time for scanning in photos the next week. Enjoy the holiday weekend, and see you all back here around July 12.

Posted by: Andrew on 7/03/2008 at 8:15 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Gold Cross ambulance, 1974

Nov. 17, 1974

Bob Robinson and Paul Anderson man a Gold Cross ambulance in Duluth. (News-Tribune photo)

Posted by: Andrew on 7/01/2008 at 9:09 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

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