Duluth, << duh LOOTH >> (pop. 86,697; met. area pop. 280,733), is one of the largest cities in Minnesota. Duluth is in the northeastern part of the state. It lies on the western shore of Lake Superior where the St. Louis River flows into the lake and forms a natural harbor. Duluth’s metropolitan area is formed by Carlton and St. Louis counties in Minnesota and Douglas County in Wisconsin. Duluth is built on a steep slope that rises about 800 feet (240 meters) above the shore of Lake Superior.
Duluth is a transportation center for products of the upper Midwest. The St. Lawrence Seaway links the Atlantic Ocean to the Duluth-Superior harbor, one of the busiest Great Lakes ports. Facilities along Duluth’s 47 miles (76 kilometers) of waterfront include iron ore docks, a coal dock, bulk terminals, and grain elevators. Duluth’s most famous landmark, the Aerial Lift Bridge, crosses the Duluth ship canal. The canal, which cuts through a sand bar called Minnesota Point, was completed in 1871. It was built to provide access to the Minnesota portion of St. Louis Bay.
Iron ore and coal are the chief products shipped from Duluth to other parts of the United States. Grain is the main international export. In addition to shipping, the city’s important industries include tourism and education. Duluth is also a major medical center. Other employers include a company that designs and produces small passenger planes. Duluth International Airport, freight railroads, regional and municipal bus systems, and interstate and regional highways serve the city.
The Duluth region is an attractive vacation center. Skyline Parkway, which runs for 25 miles (40 kilometers) along the heights of the city, offers scenic views of the area. The city’s steep slope is the setting for the Spirit Mountain ski area. The city also hosts an extensive network of cross-country ski trails. Duluth is a gateway to the North Shore of Lake Superior and is well situated for hunting, fishing, sailing, kayaking, and hiking. The annual Grandma’s Marathon draws thousands of runners.
Duluth has a symphony orchestra, a community theater, and a professional ballet company. The Depot—a restored railroad terminal—houses the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, the St. Louis County Historical Society, performing arts organizations, and other exhibition space. The city is the home of the Duluth campus of the University of Minnesota and the College of St. Scholastica.
Duluth was named for Daniel Greysolon, Sieur Duluth (or Du Lhut), a French explorer and trader who visited the region in 1679. In the 1700’s, British traders replaced French traders in the area. In the early 1800’s, John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company set up a trading post at Fond du Lac, in what is now western Duluth. More people came to the area in the 1850’s. Duluth was incorporated as a city in 1870. Economic difficulties led to a population decrease in the mid-1870’s, and Duluth lost its status as a city. In the early 1880’s, the booming lumber industry revitalized the local economy. Duluth again began to grow swiftly, and it was classified as a city again in 1887. The region experienced another period of growth in the 1890’s with the development of iron ore shipping.
Duluth is the seat of St. Louis County. The city has a mayor-council form of government.
See also Duluth, Daniel Greysolon, Sieur ; Minnesota, University of ; Saint Scholastica, College of .
