ROOTED HERE
The history of Duluth
Duluth is a Lake Superior port city. Canal Park and the Aerial Lift Bridge sit beside the ship canal, while Park Point and Lincoln Park offer different settings for a local visit.
People who shaped Duluth
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Lost Duluth - Full Documentary
PBS North explores vanished industries, surviving traces and overlooked stories in Duluth's past.
Watch on YouTube ↗- 1856–1857
A town is laid out
Duluth’s first plat was completed on May 26, 1856. Incorporation followed on May 19, 1857, before the settlement first became a city.
City of Duluth ↗ - 1870
A city at the harbor
Duluth first officially became a city on March 6, 1870. The city distinguishes this date from its earlier plat and incorporation anniversaries.
City of Duluth ↗ - 1877
City status is lost
Duluth lost its city status in 1877 and became the District of Duluth, administered by the State of Minnesota.
City of Duluth ↗ - 1887
City government returns
Official city status was regained on March 2, 1887. The city recognizes several founding anniversaries rather than a single uninterrupted start date.
City of Duluth ↗ - 1910
The Orpheum opens
The Orpheum Theatre opened on August 22, 1910. The vaudeville house later became the NorShor, linking the city’s downtown entertainment history with the theatre used today.
NorShor Theatre / Duluth Playhouse ↗ - 2018
The NorShor reopens
After its restoration, the NorShor officially reopened in February 2018. Duluth Playhouse moved its Main Stage productions there with the regional premiere of Mamma Mia!
NorShor Theatre / Duluth Playhouse ↗
See the history for yourself.
Check current opening hours and visitor information before you go: local cultural and visitor information.
For local services and public information, the local government website is a starting point. For historical research, consult local libraries, archives and museums and check collection-specific image permissions.
Selected milestones from the linked historical sources. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.