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Published June 01, 2010, 12:00 AM

History: Remaking Duluth's Canal Park

How today's top tourist destination came to be


Workers moved 1,400 truckloads of rock from the I-35 tunnel excavation to the shoreline of Canal Park, a move that both stopped the erosion of the shoreline and created more than six acres of new land, enough to build Lakewalk.

  • Workers moved 1,400 truckloads of rock from the I-35 tunnel excavation to the shoreline of Canal Park, a move that both stopped the erosion of the shoreline and created more than six acres of new land, enough to build Lakewalk.
  • The Minnesota Department of Transportation paid the cost of moving the 400-ton historic Endion Station to its current location at the corner of the lake in Canal Park. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.
  • As part of the district's transformation, Minnesota Power moved the power lines under ground. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.
  • Before the shoreline was extended, fierce storms would often blow timber through the windows of the one hotel (a Holiday Inn) that existed in Canal Park. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.
  • The city of Duluth made its revolving storefront loan program available to businesses in Canal Park. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.
  • Storefront renovation were also subject to a review board, which ensured the historic nautical and industrial character of the area survived. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.
  • Entrances to Lakewalk from downtown Duluth and from Canal Park are marked by blue arches topped with an ore boat riding the waves. Photo provided by Jerry Kimball.