Pre Glensheen, the late 1880s:
On the cusp of a new century, Duluth’s population grew keeping pace with the city’s thriving industry. This prompted a construction explosion. Beautiful buildings lined the city streets downtown while stately homes were being designed for the well-to-do on the city’s east side.
The boom continued into the 1900s: In 1907, Duluth moved more tonnage through the harbor than New York. In 1910, 78,000 people called Duluth home.
Duluth’s population continued to grow – in 1920 the census reported 98,917 residents enjoying 50 city parks while more than 17,000 students were learning in the city’s 41 public schools. From the war years through 1921, the Mesabi Range produced 20 million tons of ore and shipbuilders in Duluth built 103 vessels.
By 1928, the eve of the Great Depression, Duluth’s population peeked at 112,000 residents.
One-third of all Duluthians lost their job during the Great Depression – but not a single Duluth bank failed. And 450 area projects were launched with the help of Franklin Roosevelt’s WPA program.
Today’s Duluth has many physical similarities as the city has preserved many of its historic buildings and, while the population has dwindled to 87,000 people, the industrious and independent spirit of its residents remains.
Duluth/Congdon Timeline
- 1882: Duluth Phone Company is founded and first phone directory issued. The first electricity for lighting and power became available.
- 1884: The first ore from Vermillion Range arrives in Duluth to be loaded into boats and shipped to Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
- 1892: The Congdon family moves to Duluth. Duluth has 50,000 residents, 41 churches, 34 schools and 100 saloons.
- 1892: Chester Congdon meets Henry Oliver, an investor involved in the beginnings of the steel industry.
- 1893: Duluth and Superior are connected via telephone.
- 1897: Duluth, Misabe & Northern Railroad are completed.
- 1899: President McKinley visits Duluth.
- 1900: Duluth has more millionaires per capita than any other city.
- 1901: Motorized vehicles, though not yet common, are seen in Duluth.
- 1905: Aerial Bridge in Duluth is constructed.
- 1905: Glensheen construction begins.
- 1906: First successful car trip from Minneapolis to Duluth is completed in 17 hours and 15 minutes.
- 1908: Construction of Glensheen is completed.
- 1909: Chester is elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives (he serves until 1913).
- 1910: Duluth’s first skyscraper, the Alworth Building, is built.
- 1915: The Congdons donate funds for a lakeshore boulevard from Lester Park to Two Harbors as a gift to the city of Duluth.
Tony Dierckins book "Zenith: A Postcard Perspective of Historic Duluth" was used as a reference for this section. This book is available in our museum shop. Please call 218-726-8916 to order your copy.
