Downtown Duluth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Duluth Commercial Historic District
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The 100 block of East Superior Street
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 Location in Duluth
Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Superior and 1st Streets between 4th Avenue West and 4th Avenue East, Duluth, Minnesota |
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| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1872–1929 |
| Architect | William Hunt, Oliver G. Traphagen, John Wangenstein, George Wirth, et al. |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical, Renaissance Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque, Romanesque Revival, Tudor Revival |
| MPS | Duluth's Central Business District MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000455 |
| Added to NRHP | May 31, 2006 |
The downtown area of Duluth, a city in Minnesota, United States, is a lively and important part of the city. It is located between Mesaba Avenue and 4th Avenue East, stretching across several key streets like Michigan, Superior, First, Second, and Third streets. This area is a central hub for many of Duluth's cultural spots, fun activities, and important city offices.
You can find Duluth's main library here, along with the city's primary museum, the courthouse, and city hall. There are also many unique local shops, restaurants, and places with live music. Most big chain stores are found in the "Miller Hill area" outside of downtown. The eastern part of downtown is also home to important medical centers.
Getting to downtown Duluth is easy. You can arrive by car using Interstate 35 or by public transport services like Jefferson Lines and the Duluth Transit Authority. Much of downtown is just a short walk from the popular Canal Park area, which is a great spot for visitors.
A special part of downtown is known as the Duluth Commercial Historic District. This district includes five blocks along Superior Street and seven blocks along 1st Street West. It features 87 important buildings constructed between 1872 and 1929. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 31, 2006. It was recognized for its amazing architecture and its role in business history, showing how Duluth grew as a business center and the popular building styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Contents
Exploring Duluth's Historic Downtown
A Look at the Buildings
Downtown Duluth is filled with many historical buildings. Most of these were built during the city's busiest times in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some famous examples include the Historic Old Central High School, which now holds the offices for Duluth Public Schools. You can also see the beautiful NorShor Theatre and the Duluth Depot, which is now a museum.
While there are fewer new buildings, some modern structures like the Tech Village also stand in the area. Downtown Duluth is also where you'll find the Fond-du-Luth Casino.
Unique Streets and Views
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The streets in downtown Duluth are quite special because they have dramatic upward slopes. This is a common feature in many of Duluth's neighborhoods. The city is built on a hillside, with an elevation difference of about 800 feet (244 meters) between the lake shore and the hilltop.
In the 1980s, during a project to make Duluth more beautiful, some blacktop streets were changed to brick. This project also added "old-fashioned" decorative streetlamps, giving the area a charming look.
Staying Warm with Skywalks
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Duluth experiences very cold winters, with temperatures sometimes dropping well below -20°F (-29°C). To help people stay warm and move around easily, a network of skywalks was built. These enclosed walkways connect most of the major buildings downtown.
The skywalk system also includes a special enclosed walkway that goes over the freeway. This path leads directly to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) in the Canal Park district, making it easy to reach without going outside.
More to Explore Nearby
- Central Hillside (to the north and west)
- East Hillside (to the east)
- Lincoln Park (to the west)
- National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Louis County, Minnesota
