The American Venice - Duluth (summary by student Maron Elias Ghattas for US History)
Founding and Development
Early Duluth (1858)
Duluth was founded in 1855 by settlers looking for gold. Instead, they discovered iron ore and quickly Duluth developed as a mining town. In addition to vast iron reserves Duluth was rich in lumber and soon enough the city had reached 1,000 inhabitants. With the start of the IWW in 1857, Duluth became a crucial strategic point of interest for the Army and Navy. With the Navy building Fort Astor in 1859 to defend the Arrowhead Region from a British offensive. Furthermore, iron production increased dramatically as demand for cannons and guns increased. Seeing limited combat (besides a small naval battle) Duluth was untouched by the war and the addition of a railroad and Fort Astor meant its economy boomed. By 1866, Duluth's population was 8,000 residents and in 1867 President Brown ordered the construction of the Superior Fleet. With the start of steel production in the city, Duluth was given the task of building three ironclads. Successfully completing all three of them by 1868 and in 1871 Governor Ignatius L. Donnelly ordered the beginning of a mass PR campaign to boost Minnesota's population. Portraying Duluth as a "modern day Garden of Eden," tens of thousands flocked to the city. Viewing it as more economically viable than Shasta or Washington or Van Buren. Duluth's population exploded to 40,000 people by 1875 primarily due to cheap land, government subsidies, and cheap lumber. Especially amongst immigrants from Finland, Austria, Spain, and Poland who came to work as both dockers and miners.
The influx of immigrants would make Duluth a hotbed of political radicalism. With the creation of the Humanist Party in 1876 Duluth quickly swung in support of the party due to its support of anti-nationalism and labor reform. One notable member was Victor Adler, an Austrian miner who was elected as a Representative on a pro-labor platform. Adler and his arch-ally Augustus Bebel would agitate on behalf of the working class and in 1878 they helped to organize the First Grand Railroad Strike. A decision that caused Adler to be expelled from Congress and Bebel to be beaten by the Austrian Lodge.
The Call of the Northern Revolution
Duluth's status as an industrial hub would make the city fertile ground for revolution. With Duluth becoming home to many wealthy patrons as a popular area for summer homes. Especially with the creation of "Millionaire Coast" in 1876 by Jay Cooke who built Cooke Manner in 1878. Becoming a symbol of the divide between the poor and the wealthy. Further fueling the fire of revolution was the lack of heating in the winter for dockers. Who often worked in frigid temperatures and had a high rate of hypothermia as the shipping monopoly, Rhodes Shipping refused to invest in proper heating for dockers. In 1881, Duluth would have its first strike when dockers went on strike for a 30-minute break for every six hours worked and for properly heated break houses. In response, the National Guard was deployed and after ten days the strike collapsed. Primarily after the Yellow King Company refused to sell firewood to striking workers.
Most feared during this time was not the ruthless police nor the Austrian Lodge. Not even the Army but rather the Big Brother Company. Big Brother was created by Willard Welcher, an American IWW veteran who had worked as a spy behind Canadian lines. A known sociopath, Welcher's mind was shattered from torture after being captured in 1860. Settling in Palestine, Minnesota after the war, Welcher became a detective and later a sheriff of Gibbs County where he made his name as a fierce opponent of organized labor. An arch reactionary, Welcher created the Big Brother Company in 1872 in order to "aid companies against those who oppose prosperity." Hired by Jay Cooke in 1874, Big Brother got to work destroying labor syndicates through tactics that ranged from propaganda to outright assassination. Especially in Duluth where Welcher cut deals with the Austrian Lodge in order to intimidate workers. Most famously, the Green Society became a victim of Big Brother. Comprised of Welsh and Irish workers the Green Society launched a series of mining strikes in 1876, Big Brother retaliated by trying to kill their leader Noah George-Llewlyn. Instead, his wife Elizabeth George-Llewlyn was killed when they lit the house on fire. A decision that cemented the city's fear of Big Brother. When lawyer Richard Covington attempted to bring charges against Welcher he was found hung from a lamppost. Following this up, leader of the National Brotherhood of Carpenters and Plumbers (NBCP) Augustus Bebel's house was burned to the ground. Nearly killing him. The next day Big Brother would fire on miners in Buhl, killing fifteen.
Logo of Big Brother.
Further worsening tensions between the workers and the monopolies was the election of Leland Stanford in 1884. Despite being a robber baron and resented by farmers for the Union Pacific's high transport fees, his advocacy of using land value to back the Redback and his pick of populist Massachusetts Governor Sylvester Pennoyer allowed him to shore up the working class. Allowing him to narrowly win over the controversial Henry Ward Beecher. Whose adultery and contempt for the working class caused millions to turn against the Radicals. Despite Stanford's population transfers and turn to the right shortly after his election, the impeachment of him and Pennoyer enraged hundreds of thousands of workers in Duluth. Many of which considered it a coup by President Conkling.
Similar strikes by miners, lumberjacks, and railroad workers would also fail as the industries began to collude in order to crush popular agitation. Initially, this crushed any labor resistance as the threat of blacklisting and starvation kept the workers down. Creating an underclass of laborers who could easily be exploited. Further creating resentment was the Cooke Company's high rates for middle class shop owners. Significantly decreasing the ability of small businesses to compete in Duluth and causing dozens to close in 1885. Worse yet was that due to low wages workers lacked purchasing power that further damaged the market of non-essential goods. It would be these conditions that made a revolution possible. With the middle and working class on the same page, Duluth was ready to explode. All it needed was a spark and that came on April 13th, 1887. On that day the overworked streetcar worker Rene Duhaime was beaten by a drunk Big Brother agents for refusing to allow him on the streetcar. An hour later, he shot himself in front of the Big Brother Headquarters. The day after, streetcar workers announced that they wouldn't come into work unless Big Brother was expelled from Duluth. Over the next three days railroad workers, dockers, miners, steel workers, and lumberjacks went on strike. In response, Big Brother launched several attacks on Fasci leaders. Of course, the Fascists responded by promptly rioting in the street. With radicals such as Eren Jericho, thirty-year-old firemen organizing "broad resistance." A strategy that saw coordinated protests and storming of key buildings such as the Big Brother HQ and the Chariot Street Police Station. With police responding by opening fire on rioters. However, the rioters would overwhelm the police and Big Brother, pushing them out of Duluth.
For three days Duluth was liberated. With Jericho becoming the de-facto Mayor of Duluth. Helping to organize similar rebellions in Cromwell, Cloquet, Buhl, and Two Harbors. Forcing President Edmunds to deploy the US Army, the strike was violently broken up over the course of a week. In which much of Duluth became a warzone that saw two thousand killed in fighting. Including Eren Jericho who became a martyr to the Fascists. A quasi-saintly figure who transcended religions as a man who stood up for God's children. Furthermore, the high casualties of the American military showed that cohesive resistance could bring down the government. Despite the defeat of the uprising, the discontent it caused amongst the public meant that the Third American Revolution was already in motion.
With Conkling's election in 1888, the Humanist Party and Native American Party would begin to seriously consider a united front against Conkling. Especially with the rise of fascism in the United States, the first Convention of Workers was held in 1890 and solidified the creation of the Fascist Party. Including Duluth resident and National Rail Workers Syndicate leader Terrence V. Powderly. Founded on a platform of rural-urban solidarity, cooperatization of the economy, universal suffrage and equality, religious equality, and the decentralization of power from the government and the wealthy to the workers.
Duluth quickly became the quintessential Fascist city. Religiously diverse and heavily working class, Duluth became a hotbed for Fascist agitation. With fascis organizing through sympathetic Protestant and Catholic Churches it didn't take long for sabotage to become a daily part of work. Whether it was leaving a machine running all night or unscrewing some screws. Worse yet for monopolies, middle class shop owners would refuse to pay rent and slowly overtime the situation became untenable. Discussions of outright revolt became a daily affair as Conkling announced he would run for a fourth term, attacking the Fascist candidate Richard F. Pettigrew who he called a "blind leader of the blind." A statement that saw great outrage amongst Duluth along with the rest of the country. Worsening with the arrest of Leedy on October 31st for the incitement of violence. A decision that caused the Fascists and Native Americans to boycott the election. Known as the Halloween Massacre, Radicals opposed to Conkling announced their resignation from the Radical Party. Rebels included Georges Clemenceau, Henry Adams, and George F. Hoar who accused Conkling of high treason amongst other crimes. In Duluth, voting lines were near non-existent as Fascists preferred to prepare for an insurrection than vote. Unsurprisingly, Conkling "won" but with an abysmal 28% turn out.
On November 10th, 1892, things escalated further when Harpers Weekly published an article accusing President Conkling of graft, corruption, and electoral fraud. In Duluth, protestors stormed the street and declared a general strike after the Fascists declared Conkling's victory illegal. Joined by middle class merchants and anti-authoritarian members of the upper-class, the Third American Revolution had begun. On November 11th, railroad workers voted to go on strike, demanding Conkling resigned. In response Conkling declared martial law and declared that any protests against the election were "de-facto treason." A decision that only set off more strikes that paralyzed the nation. As workers armed themselves, the attacks on Big Brother and the Army began. When the Army was sent into confront the rebels their guns were turned on the government and soon enough the army was officially on the side of the revolutionaries. The final straw would come when Generals Eddie Lincoln and George A. Custer joined the revolution and Conkling fled to Russia. With Pettigrew taking up residence in the White House, fighting reached its climax as monopolies and tyrants were overthrown. Including in Duluth where workers had seized factories and defeated Big Brother.
Fascists clashing with Big Brother and the police
during the Third American Revolution (1892).
Radical Duluth
After the Third American Revolution, Duluth stood still as the revolutionaries had succeeded in overthrowing the old order. The only question was what now? Taking over from Chester Congdon was Terrence V. Powderly who took over as a moderate Fascist. However, the City Council was dominated by "Young Duluthians" such as Mik Anderson and Sylvester Skaare who had been at the forefront of the Third American Revolution. Actively engaging in firefights with the army and even travelling to Stillwater to take the fight to the capital. Powderly would immediately implement an 8-hour workday and the creation of a public health committee. Most importantly however was the war against Copper Hall waged by Anderson and Skaare as apart on an anti-corruption campaign. Receiving aid from the revolutionary Governor Henry Whipple, Copper Hall is promptly dismantled through a series of arrests for corruption. Breaking the back of the alliance between mining, shipping, and railway companies.
Instead, Powderly and Anderson would build a solid alliance between Catholic and Lutheran churches, fascis, syndicates, and recent immigrants to form a front against both the Anti-Revolutionaries and the Constitutionalists. Supporting worker cooperatives and the establishment of internal improvements such as public health measures and universal running water. A luxury that poorer neighborhoods lacked and one that was quickly rectified. With Powderly securing funds for clean water and also fixing poor electrical work in houses in order to prevent fires. Overall, Powderly was successful and in 1898 he would run for a Senate seat, winning both the primary and the general. Succeeding him was Roy Klay, a local Lutheran priest and activist who was elected over the Constitutionalist candidate by a seven-point margin. Overall, Duluth would grow rapidly as the St. Lawrence Seaway was secured by an American-Canadian force after routing the Hanoverians in battle. With the expansion of trade thanks to the IIWW and increasing steel production, Duluth grew exponentially. However, in the midst of the IIWW Mayor Klay was ousted by Constitutionalist Wally Ludd who was from the radical wing of the Constitutionalists. Dumping hundreds of thousands into social spending, Duluth only continued to expand as it became more and more crucial for international trade. With steel plants expanding along with the docks and railroads Duluth's population exploded. With Duluth seeing a large migration of Southern Americans in the aftermath of the War of Southern Liberation and implementation of state-suicide theory along with Jewish and Eastern European refugees.
Even with the Second Homestead Act of 1902, Duluth continued to rise to become the fifth largest city in the United States and quickly expanded at a rapid rate. Especially with the construction of a rail line between Duluth and Thunderbay, connecting Canada to the Interior. It was shortly after the completion of the rail line in 1904 that Duluth would suffer from the Sons of the South (SS), a Southern nationalist terror group that detonated a bomb at Powderly Station on May 1st, killing twenty-five civilians. Furthermore, the SS would orchestrate the 1905 St. Jacob Fire, where a Lutheran church was lit on fire by the SS during mass, killing fourteen. However, with the crushing of the SS in 1906 terrorism would subside. With 1908 becoming a turning point for Duluth.
America's Venice
Mik Anderson shortly before giving
a speech to a rally in Snelling
Minnesota (1916).
The Election of Mikeal Hermann Anderson marked the beginning of Duluth's Golden Age. Known simply as "Mik" to the populace the rail worker turned revolutionary turned politician's election in 1908 marked Duluth's rise to global prominence. Once inaugurated he immediately set out to pass his agenda. First, he approved the construction of Mesabi University to bring students to Duluth. Sparing no expense Mesabi University was designed to house 7,000 students and was accompanied by the creation of thousands of housing units and investment in public infrastructure. Completed in 1910 Mesabi University was immediately a juggernaut in education. Hosting a world class engineering program and one of the first flight programs in American history. Combined with investments in a financial district, Duluth's population boomed. Especially in 1912 when the cooperatives of Amber Fields, American Iron, and Dumont Coop announced they'd set their headquarters in Duluth. With Mayor Anderson championing "Cooperative Street" as the new economic center of America.
While Wall Street was and still is the economic center of America, Cooperative Street continues to be an economic powerhouse. A legacy that was cemented with the creation of Duluth's skyline in 1914. The first "Mountain" was built in 1914 by Amber Fields. Kicking off a construction boom as more and more people came to Duluth. Especially immigrants from Russia, Spain, and Portugal who suffered from monarchal oppression. Causing Duluth to become not only even more culturally diverse but also radical. With Anderson defining the conscience of Duluth as "A constellation of liberty in contrast to monarchal tyranny and instability. A land that's shared by the many who've learned the lessons of abuse, intolerance, and tyranny."
Duluth soon exploded into the public conscience with Anderson's speech. Despite being only a mayor of a major city, he was vocal about domestic and foreign policy. A staunch critic of religious discrimination he became one of the first mayors to ban antisemitic discrimination. Calling antisemitism "the drug of the hateful." In spite of being a staunch Lutheran, he was a hero to Catholics and Russian Orthodox Christians who he praised as equally holy. Visiting churches, synagogues, and even mosques of all denominations he took a great interest in religious liberty as well as international freedom. Attacking Spain's monarchism as "a blemish to God's creation" and attacked colonialism as economic exploitation. Cementing his legacy as not only the architect of Duluth and voice of the oppressed he commissioned the Mountain of the Republic in 1919 to serve as the Minnesota Department of Immigrant Affairs Duluth headquarters. Serving as one of Duluth's "big three" along with the Anderson Mountains and the Beacon Mountain. The latter constructed as an experiment to more effectively use space by making bridges residential areas.
A sketch of the Anderson Mountains (1945)
shortly after completion. Anderson Mountains
serve as the main connection between Superior
and Duluth.
As Duluth expanded so did its infrastructure, with Duluth becoming famous for its efficiency and opulence. Facing large traffic jams in the 1920s Mayor Anderson responded by expanding the underground train system over the course of a decade. Creating a system of tunnels that would go into even the suburbs of Cloquet, Mountain Iron, Ferrisville, and Eveleth. Furthermore, the docks of Duluth expanded north as the Great Lakes boomed. Becoming not only economic powerhouses but also tourist hubs during the summer as Canadians sought to visit "renaissance cities" such as Duluth, Marquette, Green Bay, and of course Chicago in the summer.
The Second Renaissance would correspond with Duluth's cultural significance. Especially after the release of the "Call of the North" in 1912 that was shot in Duluth. Serving as a re-telling of Les Misérables set in Duluth during the Third American Revolution. Becoming one of the most influential films in American history, Duluth's status as a "Venice of the North" was cemented. Furthermore, its closeness to the untamed wilderness allowed an easy change in location. Following The Call of the North was the film "Edge Runner" that told the story of an edge runner named David Willshire in the pines of Washington as he tries to hunt down a group of former slave owners. Freeing an enslaved Native American while being killed when he arrives in Selkirk. Around this same time Duluth became known for its large edge runner community. With the aftermath of Willshire's fame bringing light to the job. The most notable edge runner from Duluth was Lainey DeSoto who became famous for hunting down former plantation owners who'd escape out to the Frontier. Becoming famous for her tracking abilities and multilingual capabilities, she would use her ability to speak Dutch and Polish to wage war against plantations in Pulaski and New Hope. From 1900-1915 DeSoto became a hero to the rural poor who spoke of an edge runner who stole from thieves and protected the land from exploiters. With her retirement in 1915, she would settle down and build a ranch in Ulen Minnesota.
Lainey DeSoto (1911).
The primary reason for Duluth's large population of edge runners was due to its large immigrant population. Creating a large amount of often poor families that sought adventure outside of the city. For example, DeSoto was the daughter of a Canadian-Spanish refugee and Serjio Perry was a recent Italian immigrant who found work hunting down members of the SS. Famously killing Jefferson "Soapy" Smith of Redemption who's Parshall Oil Fields became infamous after the Battle of Parshall. Where Soapy was killed by Perry and DeSoto. Eventually, Perry would meet his end in Arkansas where an SS veteran shot him in his hotel room. Besides DeSoto and Perry other edge runners include Alexis Wire, Jack "Blackjack" Dudley, and Rori "Red Flame" Haughey. Who would all eventually retire in the coming years. With Duluth opening several museums over the coming decades. Including the Duluth Museum of Natural History that continues to have an exhibit on edge runners since 1917.
Another factor in increasing Duluth's cultural capital was its sheer quantity of writers who were either inspired by the city or resided there. Most famously was Prairie Vandergrift, a native of Anoka would move to Duluth in 1914. During this period, she'd detail the north of Minnesota in her anthology series "The Engelbert Solution," a five books' series detailing inhabitants of Duluth, Cloquet, Cromwell, and Itasca County. Touching on themes of labor agitation, ruralism, and religion she'd become one of the greatest writers in American history. Eventually writing her magnum opus "A Sea of Green and Amber," a 1,329-page epic about twelve characters in Minnesota. Capturing the spirit of the Midwest and even America. With scenes taking place from International Falls to the former state of Mississippi. Other writers who called Duluth home include Joeseph Usher, Ozias McIntyre, Nelli Sandro, and Kenneth Burns who would all become renowned writers and solidified Duluth's legacy as a giant in literature.
Even with Anderson's retirement in 1932, Duluth would continue its cultural hegemony into the 40s and 50s. Only growing in size as the Great Lakes achieved its zenith of power. With its economic power being only rivaled by Liberty, Chicago, and Atlanta and its prosperity being unmatched. However, as the 50s approached and fears of suburbanization and the loss of rural life enamored America, Duluth would be met with challenges.
The Second Great Strike
The Second Great Strike was one of the most pivotal moments in Duluth's history. After the accusations of high treason against President Petersen were proven false, the National Seamen and Navigators Fasci (NSNF) declared a general strike that was followed up by the local National Educators Syndicate and Brotherhood of Transportation Workers, paralyzing the city. Duluth, being very religiously and culturally diverse quickly became a battle ground in the Petersen Affair. Mayor Larry Olsen condemned the strike shortly after it was declared. Combined with pro-SHIP+ and anti-SHIP+ protests the situation deteriorated quickly. With enraged protestors turning to active violence. Culminating in a protest against the city at Duluth City Hall at noon. After protestors threw bricks at policemen, the police fired upon protestors with live ammunition. Killing forty-three protestors and six school children at nearby Jesuit Hall. Rioting and active defiance against the government reached even the suburbs of Duluth. With the cities of Cromwell, Eveleth, Mountain Iron, Buhl, Cherry, Cloquet, Ferrisville, and Two Harbors being gripped by strikes and protests. Despite Olsen's resignation the same day, the violence continued for four days. With Acting Mayor Burton Iron declaring martial law and attempting to quell the riots. Despite the pleas of union leaders to workers and activists, 164 people would be killed by the riots. Even as the rioting subsided, the strikes continued and soon garbagemen and electrical workers joined the strike. After four months, the strikes would subside after President Faubus promised to not run for re-election. Furthermore, the failure of the Fourth American Revolution split union leadership with radicals and moderates clashing in Duluth. With NSNF Chairwomen Danielle La Croix expelling radical members who participated in the attempted overthrow of President Faubus.
The Era of Change
After the Second Great Strike ended Duluth was in shambles. Mayor Ivy Schafer was swept out of office after an abysmal showing in the first round. Coming third with a mere 14% of the vote she was eliminated from even a second round of voting. The first for Fascists in Duluth. A similar phenomenon happened all across Duluth as councilors failed to even make it to the second round. Including the fifty-two-year incumbent Archie Loffer who lost his seat in the first round to the Commonwealth candidate. The Fascist majority collapsed overnight from a healthy sixty councilors to a mere 14. Losing in a landslide to the Constitutionalists, with Mayor Peter Vyacheslav being inaugurated on December 1st.
Mayor Peter Vyacheslav talking
with a reporter (1963).
With Vyacheslav's ascension the winds of change swept Duluth. A longtime bastion of Fascism Duluth has just elected a staunch secularist in the same vein as Georges Clemenceau. With a majority of sixty-five in the city council, Vyacheslav implemented a series of reforms that would prove controversial. For starters, city funds for religious schools were cut by 100% and Vyacheslav began an investigation into Fasci and syndicate corruption. Accusing them of having illegal influence in the City Council that included abuse of power, de facto bribery, and patronage. The investigation was controversial, and it didn't take long for La Croix to accuse Vyacheslav of abuse of power. Claiming that the investigation was an attempt to intimidate fascis and syndicates. Pointing out that the investigation wasn't targeted at the corrupt American Miners Alliance (AMA) Chairman Alehandro Martinez who she accused of fraud and anti-democratic activities.
After this, the investigation would be taken over by the Minnesota Department of Justice, with Chairman Martinez eventually being arrested on charges of fraud, racketeering, obstruction of justice, and theft. La Croix on the other hand continued to be the leading opponent of Vyacheslav's reform. Especially with the decision to cut subsidies for worker cooperatives and Vyacheslav's decision to repeal rent controls. Leading to the 1964 Renters Strike that lasted six-months and forced Vyacheslav to compromise with the Renter Fasci. However, despite his reputation as a budget slashing anti-labor Radical, Vyacheslav routinely angered businesses. Attacking the Duluth Dockers Football team in particular as corrupt and a drain on the city. Responding to threats to move unless a new stadium was built by nationalizing the team. A decision that arguably handed him re-election.
As Vyacheslav's term went on the more Duluth changed. As the national economy burgeoned under President Sacco, Duluth would begin to falter. America's dominance as a global manufacturer of cars and airplanes took a massive hit. With the Russian, Bengali, and Three Holy Republics drastically increasing industrial production. Causing Duluth's industry to take a massive hit. Combined with deflationary measures by President Sacco agricultural production decreased gradually, causing the shipping industry to take a hit. Vyacheslav's election as Governor in 1966 would mean his successor Jonah Gould would be saddled with the blame. As the sixties turned into the seventies Duluth was declining by the day. Poverty and crime increased as jobs left for other nations. Combined with a large debt collected from the attempted construction of the Anderson Tower in 1974, Duluth was on the brink of bankruptcy. Forcing Mayor Dakota Morgan to implement a harsh austerity program that angered that sparked the Shepard Street Riot. However, a damaging yet bloodless riot was the least of Duluth's worries. As the worst was yet to come.
Unfortunately, Duluth was to experience its bloodiest tragedy since 1959 with Ash Wednesday. When dry conditions combined with an August heatwave created one of the worst wildfires in American history. Starting in Ely before expanding south. Despite a quick response by the Ely Fire Department, the fire quickly spiraled out of control. Combined with seventeen other smaller fires starting in Itasca and St. Louis County, Ash Wednesday would go onto kill one hundred forty-four people and would force the evacuation of Eveleth and Buhl amongst other smaller towns. Fortunately, a large response from the state would put the fire out after a week. However, the enormous death toll and economic crisis caused by the fire would push Duluth to the brink. With former NSDF Chairwoman Danielle La Croix being elected Mayor in 1976.
Duluth's Genesis
La Croix's election as Mayor was the beginning of Duluth's Genesis. Facing mounting debt and a city on the brink of economic collapse, La Croix was aggressive in her tactics. First of all, she raised funds by securing prioritizing housing for those who lost their homes in the Ash Wednesday Fire. Seizing abandoned steel factories and hiring former employees to create public housing units. Furthermore, she implemented more energy efficient light bulbs and streetlights to cut down on energy costs. Promoting effective energy usage for the public as an effort to cut energy costs not only for the city but also the consumer. At the same time, she approved the construction of new solar panel factories and hotels to boost the economy. Turning Duluth into a twin manufacturing and tourist powerhouse. Her success in stabilizing the economy and decreasing the debt without austerity would earn her great praise. Still, the ever-looming threat of debt hampered her plans. The victory of a fiscally conservative majority. Hamstringing her attempts to rebuild the economy. Thus, in 1978 she asked President Bozeman for a federal loan of half a billion dollars. Bozeman flat out refused. A fiscal moderate he wasn't about to bail out Duluth.
Mayor La Croix on "Triad" with
Secretary of Budget Management
Symon Lasker (1978).
Instead of taking the rejection lying down she openly spared with the President. Organizing a one-day general strike to pressure Bozeman. Still, Bozeman flat out rejected her. Sparking an infamous incident where a Duluth firefighter named Jericho Castle confronted Bozeman at a townhall in Stillwater. Telling Bozeman "Go fuck yourself. I fought in the flames for a week straight while you sat at your desk in Philly. Now my retirement is fucked thanks to you. and your austerity thugs who'd rather have my home ruined than drop the money you use to drop bombs." The confrontation sparked a political rift in the Fascist Party as La Croix threatened to declare a NSNF strike that would've shut down the Great Lakes. Furthermore, Wisconsin Senator Chloe Rabinovich threatened to primary Bozeman in retaliation. Forcing Bozeman to agree to a three-year loan of 1.2 billion dollars that was approved by Congress.
With that crisis avoided, Duluth would use the money wisely. Investing heavily in a tourist section of the city and cut 15,000 employees from the state government. With La Croix calling them "patronage appointments." Which La Croix presented as a move to save public pensions and to cripple corruption. Following this up she proceeded to oust police chief Vynny Johnson who she accused of corruption and drug dealing. When the police accused her of politicking and proceeded to initiate a slowdown in response time, she responded by firing 500 out of city police officers and replacing them with 500 officers from Duluth proper. With the slow down backfiring as she secured an injunction against the action. When she retired in 1982, La Croix had saved the city from ruin, with Duluth once again booming. With Duluth well on track to repay the 1978 loan and the city was economically secure. With her handpicked successor Miranda Olsen being elected mayor, her vision continued.
Olsen, a former firefighter turned Representative from MN-09 would oversee a burgeoning economy and a new era of prestige. With the 1982 Winter Olympics seeing the American Men's Hockey team win the gold medal against Canada 4-3 with a team that included several Duluth natives. She'd also approve the creation of the Battle of Ice and the Minnesota, the former a college football game that would bring in consistent revenue for the city and the latter the world's tallest building at the time.
The Minnesota Mountain (completed 1999).
However, her anti-alcohol and staunchly Catholic attitude towards social issues angered social liberals. Especially with her raising fines on alcohol distribution and was rather apathetic to the SHIP+ community. Causing her to lose re-election in 1986 to Marje Cavour, a Constitutionalist. Continuing Duluth's reemergence as a cultural powerhouse, Sharon Hunter won the Twin-Stars Music Contest in 1986 with the song "Charge of Purple" and in 1987 with the song "Soar." With Pluck musician Wil Detzler winning with the song "Old Tom Paine" in 1991.
As the 80s and 90s went on Duluth only continued to flourish. With an emphasis on environmental tourism bringing hundreds of thousands of people to Minnesota's northern forests. Including the Boundary Waters National Park and the northern interior of Minnesota that became a tourist destination for its rustic resorts that were hotspots for a calm relaxing a vacation compared to the hectic beaches of Brown and New Africa or the dense cities of Liberty or Chicago. With Duluth becoming known for being a calm and reserved city. One where the strikes have subsided you can walk the streets at night with at most a late-night conversation with a local.
Duluth in the modern age
In the modern day, Duluth is one of the most prosperous cities in the United States. Enjoying a high standard of living and a cultural prowess rivaled only by New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City. A success story in every way, Duluth has continued to have its victories and failures. Most notably its switch to 100% renewable energy in 2010 stood as a massive victory for not only Duluth but the Earth in general. Ever since Duluth's resurgence, the old renaissance cities of the Great Lakes wonder if they're in the midst of something greater. With the success of the MACT Zone under President Driver, the Great Lakes have become a core area for retirees in the summer who enjoy the temperate Great Lake climate. Bringing in millions in revenue to improve the cities that were and still are (to an extent) the beating heart of America. With Duluth Mayor Denis Casar organizing the Great Lakes Convention of 2024. Inviting the Mayors of Milwaukee, Chicago, Marquette, Buffalo, Erie, Toronto, and Toledo to discuss the economic future of the Great Lakes. Especially as the New South continues to rise in prosperity. Only time will tell if the Great Lakes reverse their fortunes and once again become not only the soul but beating heart of America.
Education
Duluth's education system is considered one of the most advanced in the Interior Region. Going from top to bottom Duluth is home to Mesabi University and is considered one of the most advanced colleges for engineering. Founded in 1909 at the behest of Mayor Mik Anderson, Mesabi University hosts a total of 30,689 students on campus. Split between two campuses, the first is located in Precinct 13 of Duluth as its own autonomous precinct and the second is located in Mountain Iron and hosts the environmental science studies, agriculture, and Astronomy studies. Mesabi University is known for its innovations regarding engineering. Especially with the creation of the Rotercopter in 1927 and innovations in Giffard, aeroplane, and ship engines throughout the 20th century. Furthermore, Mesabi University is known for its research in environmental science and its early advocacy against deforestation and recognition of global warming in the 1950s. Duluth is also home to the University of Luther which opened its doors in 1875 as a private Lutheran university with a focus on education and theology.
At the High School level, the school system is split between the Northern Duluth School District and the Southern Duluth School District. Its two most notable High Schools in the NDSD are Mesaba-Kernoval-Lynch High School and Olsen High School. Both of which host a combined 7,000 students. With there being smaller schools such as Hermann, Blum, and Arthur High Schools. SDSD includes Wildrose, Ewing, and Canal High Schools, with the most notable and largest being Poale-Vissarion-Peter, with a massive trade program and a diverse student body of 3,696. Poale-Vissarion-Peter is primarily comprised of Jewish, Spanish, and Russian students. The most notable private school is Jesuit Hall which is situated in the center of the city. With an enrollment of 2,000 Jesuit Hall is notable as one of the most famous Catholic schools in the United States for its high academic achievements and religious studies. Along with historical success in sports, including a 2011 victory at the Minnesota Marching Championship and a 2008 6A victory over Cromwell High School. Jesuit Hall is often the top ranked academic school in Minnesota and considered one of the best schools in the nation.
Jesuit Hall (2023) Mesaba-Kernoval-Lynch High School (2023)
Sports
Duluth is home to five major professional sports teams. The National Hockey Syndicate team, the Duluth Stars were formed in 1918 and joined the NHS with its in inception in 1923 after merging with the Canadian Hockey League. With the Duluth Stars having won a total of 19 American Cups since 1923 and most recently in 2013 when the Duluth Stars defeated the Marquette Light Keepers. The second team to become home to Duluth was the Mesabi Steel Drum and Bugle Corps in 1924. Founded by Juha Skaare I, Mesabi Steel is a three-time National Marching Syndicate Champion (1958, 1959, and 1966). While the third team is the Duluth Dockers who've won a total of five Battles for the Gold, most recently in 2017. Finally, the Duluth Miners and Duluth Mooses represent the city in volleyball and soccer respectively. With both being rather infamous for failing to make a national championship in either sport.
Duluth in its history has hosted multiple national championships. The first of which was the 1958 Battle for the Gold which saw the Platte Cornhuskers defeat the Chicago Phantoms. Since then, Duluth has hosted three other Battles for the Gold (1969, 1978, and 2017). With 2017 being the most notable for multiple reasons. First of all, the Duluth Dockers would become the first team to play on their home turf since the Atlanta Preachers in 1986. Furthermore, Duluth became the first team to win on their home turf with a 29-28 victory over the Brownville Hoodoos. Finally, the 2017 Battle for the Gold became known as the Ice Battle for taking place in -10-degree weather and in the middle of a snowstorm. After 2017 the Duluth Dockers would make the Battle for the Gold in 2023. Losing to the Cairo Cadets 35-27. It also hosted the first American Trophy series in 1923 and since then has hosted the series seventeen times. Currently, the Duluth Dockers play at Iron Stadium. Otherwise, Duluth has hosted the Winter Olympics four times and the summer Olympics once in 1964. Finally, Duluth has held the NMS Championship five times.
At the college level Mesabi University stands as a dominant Division I school. Hosting a football team that's won eight national championships and a hockey team that's won twenty-nine. Meanwhile, the Battle of the Ice has been hosted since 1983 in the city and since 2004 in the Ice Dome. Hosting four semifinals (1995, 2003, 2005, and 2010) the Ice Dome is both exciting and painful (primarily due to weather in the winter months that make travel a pain).
At the state level Duluth is known for its dominance in hockey. With Olsen High School and Mesaba-Kernoval-Lynch being powerhouses in hockey. With at least one making state semi-finals since 1985 and winning ten national championships since 1970. Furthermore, Duluth football is known for its consistency and success at the state level. With the city bringing home over a dozen state championships.
