Smithville (Duluth) facts for kids
Smithville is a cool neighborhood located in the city of Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. Grand Avenue is one of the main roads that runs through Smithville. You'll find Stewart Creek flowing through the area, and the big Saint Louis River is also very close by.
If you look at the city's map, you'll see that Bardon's Peak, a cool spot on West Skyline Parkway, is actually part of the Smithville neighborhood too!
A Look Back: Smithville's History
Long ago, Smithville was home to a unique school called Work People's College. This school started in 1907 and was created by people from the Finnish Socialist Federation, a group that helped Finnish immigrants.
What was Work People's College?
Work People's College was a special kind of school. It began as a place for Finnish people to learn about religion and general subjects. But over time, it changed into a school mainly for workers. It taught them about labor rights and how to work together to improve their lives.
For most of its time, the school was closely connected to a workers' group called the Industrial Workers of the World. This group believed that workers should have more power and control over their jobs. The college helped teach these ideas.
The school stayed open until 1941. After it closed, the main building was turned into apartments where people could live.
Nearby Neighborhoods
(These directions follow how Duluth's streets are set up, not exact compass directions)
- Riverside (north)
- Morgan Park (east)
- Gary – New Duluth (south)
