Local History
At the Library
These materials are kept at the Main Downtown Library and maybe used in the building during regular library hours. The indexes are available here to search, but the materials are not digitized. Please visit or call the library at (218)730-4206 for more information.Biography File Index - List of names of people included in the Duluth Public Library's biography files. These files range in size from one article to a folder of articles and images. To search, press the Ctrl button and the letter F, then search by name or scroll through the list.
Business and Industry File Index - List of businesses and industries with clippings. To search, press the Ctrl button and the letter F, then search by business name or scroll through the list.
Duluth Collection - Wide range of Duluth-related subjects are covered, including general history, architecture, schools, churches, business and industry, civic concerns, recreation, laws, politics, and climate. Includes materials by or about Duluthians.
Duluth War Casualties - Index to articles published in Duluth newspapers on some military personnel from the Duluth area who were killed or captured during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Minnesota Collection - Covers Minnesota-related subjects, with special emphasis given to St. Louis County, Northeastern Minnesota, and Lake Superior. Includes materials by many Minnesota creators.
Clippings Files - Newspaper articles going back to the late 1800s relating to local history. Arranged by subject. To search, press the Ctrl button and the letter F, then search by subject or scroll through the list.
Slides - Hundreds of images, many of early Duluth. May be checked out.
Children's Book Week display at the Duluth Public Library on 101 West Second Street
Online
Old photos, maps, and documents from Duluth, Minnesota,
Digital content recording the early history of Minnesota, contributed by organizations around the state, including photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, and oral histories.
Content contributed by Duluth organizations:
Duluth Public Library
Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
University of Minnesota-Duluth Archives
Local history blog is written by volunteers and reference librarians at Duluth Public Library.
Features and columns covering topics such as Duluth's development, architecture, culture, parks, landmarks, and biographies.
Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub
A collection of historical Minnesota newspapers including the Duluth Minnesotian (1869-1875), Duluth Evening Herald (1887-1910), the Duluth Herald (1910-1922), Labor Leader (1917), Labor World (1896-1922), Narodni Vestnik (Slovenian language, 1911-1917), Truth (Socialist Party publication, 1917-1922), and The World (African American newspaper, 1896-1897).
Newspaper Index
Online subject indexes to articles of regional interest. Paper index for 1978-1995 is available at the Main Library. Developed and maintained by the Duluth Public Library Staff.
A guide to articles through 2008 of regional interest that appeared in area publications.
A research guide for finding archival materials in our area libraries that document the history of indigenous people, people of color, women, and LGBTIQA people. This research guide is in the process of being created and is not a complete list of resources.
Rasmusen Model Pharmacy and T.A. Pinto Jeweler on Michigan Street and Garfield Ave around 1890.
Researching Duluth Houses
Other Local History Resources in Duluth
UMD Archives and Special Collections
University of Minnesota Duluth Library
416 Library Dr., Duluth, MN 55812
218-726-8526
libarchives@d.umn.edu
St. Louis County Historical Society
St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (Depot)
506 West Michigan St., Duluth, MN 55802
218-733-7586
history@thehistorypeople.org
Veterans' Memorial Hall
St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (Depot)
506 West Michigan St., Duluth, MN 55802
218-733-7500
vmh@vets-hall.org