Here in the Northern Hemisphere, our sweet Summer has come to a close. Our precious children and teachers are in school, Halloween costumes are trickling into the stores, and some of us are itching to compile scrapbooks of delicious Summer memories. One such lovely scrapbook will be of our little trip "up North", to the shores of Gitche Gumee, to the shining Big-Sea-Water (thank you Mr. Longfellow)....in other words, Duluth!
A little history...
Originally settled by Sioux (Dakota) and Chippewa (Ojibwa), this breathtaking lakeside city was eventually named after Daniel Greysolon, Sieur (abbr.Seigneur) du Lhut. A French soldier and explorer, he mediated the peace talks between the Ojibwa and Sioux nations in the late 17th century, and claimed the area for France, while establishing a fur trading economy. By the mid 1800's, Duluth on Lake Superior had become the most active port in the United States.
The timber and iron ore industries, as well as the construction of a major railroad, created more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world. Yes, the world.
A major influx of immigrants from Eastern and Western Europe in the early 1900's led to tremendous growth for the city. The steel and timber industries flourished, Duluth was booming.
The economic decline began in the 1950's. Iron ore was running low, and international competition forced the closing of steel plants. The city had to find a way to reinvent itself.
Today, tourism, the medical industry, the arts are a part of what keeps this beautiful port city afloat (pardon the pun).
For me, it is the spectacular natural beauty of the largest freshwater lake in the world, the magnificence of the surrounding pine forests, and the kind, creative people of Duluth that keep me coming back for more...
The BEST blueberry pie at the glorious New Scenic Cafe
Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend! A la prochaine!!
A little history...
Originally settled by Sioux (Dakota) and Chippewa (Ojibwa), this breathtaking lakeside city was eventually named after Daniel Greysolon, Sieur (abbr.Seigneur) du Lhut. A French soldier and explorer, he mediated the peace talks between the Ojibwa and Sioux nations in the late 17th century, and claimed the area for France, while establishing a fur trading economy. By the mid 1800's, Duluth on Lake Superior had become the most active port in the United States.
The timber and iron ore industries, as well as the construction of a major railroad, created more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world. Yes, the world.
A major influx of immigrants from Eastern and Western Europe in the early 1900's led to tremendous growth for the city. The steel and timber industries flourished, Duluth was booming.
The economic decline began in the 1950's. Iron ore was running low, and international competition forced the closing of steel plants. The city had to find a way to reinvent itself.
Today, tourism, the medical industry, the arts are a part of what keeps this beautiful port city afloat (pardon the pun).
For me, it is the spectacular natural beauty of the largest freshwater lake in the world, the magnificence of the surrounding pine forests, and the kind, creative people of Duluth that keep me coming back for more...
Looking toward Canada
Aerial Lift Bridge
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| The "San Francisco" of the North! A very steep incline from the water..our little car barely made it!! |
Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend! A la prochaine!!
Hello Irina:
ReplyDeleteHow we have enjoyed our glimpse at this beautiful place, about which we knew nothing previously. We can well see the attraction to return and the Blueberry Pie looks and, we are sure tasted, delicious.
This weekend we shall go to Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Europe and regarded as the Hungarian seaside. We shall try to hold on to summer a little longer. Have a happy and relaxing weekend too!!
My dear one,
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pleasure to read your skillful history of this enchanting place I have YET TO SEE! I seems to have a San Francisco feel while also having a MAINE look to it as well! And you know how I feel about WATER...that water is so soothing yet AWESOME and frightening....AND LOOK AT THE HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE!!!! It was indeed a wonderful summer,n'est-ce pas?
I LOVE YOUR SIDEBAR..those bunnies are DYNAMITE!!! BISOUS, Anita
Irina,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Another piece of your life revealed. You are not living in the east somewhere my Russian mystery friend :-)
Di
X
Ma belle,
ReplyDeleteSeeing your comments always fill me with happiness; you always have a sincere and wonderful thing to say. Oh how amazing that you were able to be on top of this amazing structure before all of this happened, and yes, to know that you had seen the view from high atop and then now, looking back, can have a connection with this sight. May it always be a sacred place to REMEMBER.
Be well today my beloved friend, Anita
My Black Sea sister ,
ReplyDeleteSometimes words are not enough to express the language of our hearts... and that's how you make me feel ...filled with appreciation, happy , blessed ...Your words are always so heartwarming,inspiring , encouraging ...Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a kinder spirit!
Dear Irina
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you.. Thank you so much for coming over to introduce yourself and follow along with me.. I am honored. Anita and Ruben are such dear friends and I see she has stopped in with heartfelt words to you.
There is so much beauty in the world and you have expressed it here with such eloquence.
Thank you for taking me along on this beautiful journey. Off to see your other lovely blogs.
Blessings,
Penny