Archive Dive with the Superior Telegram

Northwest Sands Auto Trail lets you choose your own adventure

Did you know there's a "choose your own adventure" auto trail that passes through Douglas County? It is true and all you need to access it is a cell phone. The Northwest Sands Auto Trail [https://www.nwsat.org/] (NWSAT) offers an interactive map that lets users take the wheel. The virtual tour highlights 57 points of interest along a trail of over 200 miles, from Madeline Island to Saint Croix Falls. For this episode, podcast host Maria Lockwood is joined by Brian Finstad, president of the Gordon-Wascott Historical Society [https://www.townofwascott.org/history.php] and board member for the nonprofit [https://www.nwsat.org/team-4] that oversees the NWSAT. They'll discuss the history and idea of the trail. One quick note, for the third straight year, "Archive Dive" was recognized in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest. [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/telegram-wins-25-industry-awards] From everyone involved with the podcast, we offer our appreciation and gratitude to all of our listeners and readers. This couldn't have been done with you. Truly - thank you! Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email us at editorial@superiortelegram.com [editorial@superiortelegram.com] with ideas for future episodes.

Journalist sailed aboard a whaleback ship in the 1890s

For this month's episode of the "Archive Dive" podcast, we learn about a Superior journalist's voyage of discovery and take a closer look at his form of transportation. In 1891, Edward Huntington "Ned" Dwight, a journalist with the Superior Leader, decided to launch an in-depth report on whaleback ships. To do so, Dwight took a job on one and sailed across the ocean, sending back letters to newspapers around the country as he went. Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they dive into the life of the young reporter and discuss the history behind the whaleback ships. Meronek was once asked to research the namesake of Dwight's Point [https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/DwightsPointPokegamaWetlands] in Superior. She learned Ned Dwight is not the point's namesake. "It was actually named after a New York businessman who also had interests in North Dakota," Meronek said about Dwight's Point. "I think he farmed out there too, but he had money and he was here in the 1890s — and if you had money and you came to Superior in 1890, you could buy yourself some property and have it named after you, right? "I was very disappointed when I found that out because by that time I had learned a lot about the other Dwight — Ned — Edward Huntington Dwight — and I kind of fell in love with him and I just thought, well, it's a darn shame that it's not named after Ned instead of this other guy, because the man it's named after or the family it's named after, they didn't spend any time in Superior." According to Meronek, Ned Dwight loved to travel, was a colorful character and was considered "the life of the party." He was also a passionate writer, even starting his own newspaper. He made his way to Superior in 1890, landing a job with the Superior Leader as an editor. Dwight made himself right at home, making many friends, including the famous photographer David Barry, [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-the-lives-behind-lens-of-three-famous-photographers-from-superior] and making an impact. "I think he must have had some talent, obvious talent that people saw," Meronek said. "Before you know it, he's elected vice president of the local press club." The SS Charles W. Wetmore [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Charles_W._Wetmore] was built in 1891, and Ned was on board when it launched for England that June. His plan was to document the journey, though there might have been an additional reason to leave town for a bit. "He wrote an article that said he had inadvertently misspelled the name of a very prominent person in Superior, and he left town because this guy was looking for him," Meronek said. Was that true? Meronek doesn't know for sure. "You never know with Ned. That's the thing, you never know if it's true or not." Dwight's work appeared in Harper's Weekly [https://archive.org/details/harpersweekly35harp/page/675/mode/2up?q=%22edward+huntington+dwight%22+%22NEW+WHALEBACK+BOATS%22&view=theater] and, after his time on the Wetmore, he spent time in Seattle. Upon returning to Superior in 1892, he took a position with the Superior Call newspaper. Dwight died April 16, 1893, [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73087247/edward_huntington-dwight/photo] from typhoid pneumonia. He was just 36 years old. "The outpouring from the people in Superior is pretty amazing," Meronek said. "He had apparently made a lot of good friends. He did have a love for Superior." Other topics discussed include another reason for Dwight's voyage on the Wetmore, Dwight's job on the Wetmore, a four-legged passenger that he wasn't thrilled with, the Wetmore's connection with the Rockefellers, Dwight's well-connected family, where in Superior Dwight resided and some of his unique neighbors, and Barry's tribute to Dwight at his funeral and his role in securing a tombstone. Also learn about Superior's history with whalebacks. The last whaleback ship, the SS Meteor, can be found in Superior. Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com [mlockwood@superiortelegram.com] with ideas for future episodes.

Architect put his stamp on Superior

A discussion on Superior's historic buildings isn't complete without Carl Wirth. The architect put his stamp on Superior, creating structures that were grand, beautiful, and well loved. Many of his buildings have stood the test of time and remain part of the city's landscape. In this month's episode of the Archive Dive podcast, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Wirth, his art and the significance his buildings have in Superior. "In 1880, there were 633 people in Superior, " said Meronek. "By 1890, it had grown to over 11,000 and by 1900, there were 30,000 people here, so it was booming and a great place if you were a young architect. He's only probably in his early thirties when he came here and he got a job." The intersection of Belknap Street and Tower Avenue became the site of many of Wirth's memorable buildings. The New Jersey block, which we know as Globe News, [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/superiors-globe-news-rings-in-new-year-with-new-owners] the Grand Opera House, [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-superiors-grand-opera-house-was-indeed-grand] Hotel Superior, West Superior Hotel and the Watkins block. "He had three of the four corners," said Meronek. Other Wirth-designs include the Franklin School, two churches for Holy Assumption, Sacred Heart, the city's first Carnegie Library [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-how-superior-became-home-to-wisconsins-first-and-last-carnegie-libraries?fbclid=IwY2xjawQddIBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5Zkd3eURmR1puRUZXUkk4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm05QNfzrO7wPGuulBzRRZ_REmRzGqfB4cY2pAN2wHQ018-lL0dT4nmOpOk1_aem_mrFrSVwjr19qipdjmloUIA] and even some houses. He was well known in the area. Besides having a consistent advertisement featured, Wirth and his projects were mentioned in the Telegram a lot. "He was a busy man," said Meronek. During his life, Wirth lived in both Superior and Duluth. He died on November 19, 1928 at the age of 74. Other topics include Wirth's first job in Superior, where else did Wirth design buildings, what materials were consistently used, His involvement with the Land and River Improvement Company, how he'd find inspiration, other local buildings he may have designed and why we don't know, two significant buildings he didn't get hired for, where else he lived, why he'd return to Superior, family members, how some of the houses he designed have been utilized, where did Wirth himself live in Superior, what happened to some of his buildings, his other interests and talents, did have signature style or design for his buildings, and much more. Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com [mlockwood@superiortelegram.com] with ideas for future episodes.

Superior's former dime stores

Do you remember Superior's dime stores? If so, this one's for you. In this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Newberry's, Woolworth's, and Kresge's, all of which could be found on Tower Avenue. What did they carry? How did they grow? What happened to them? Listen as Lockwood and Meronek dive into their histories. Meronek remembers them well. "A dime store, it was just like magic," Meronek said. "Because they had everything. If you had a dollar, you could get a lot of stuff because most of it was 5 and 10 cents, as they advertised when they first opened up. A lot of 29-cent stuff. They had everything from household goods to parakeets. You could eat at their lunch counters. You could buy candy. It was just a wonderful place to be." Topics discussed in this episode include: What set dime stores apart from department stores When did dime stores arrive in Superior? Where else was Woolworth's located in Superior? What were the differences among the three big dime stores? The types of pets you could get at Newberry's and a story of their escape. What was "Ridiculous Days"? What was Meronek's favorite dime store and why? What did the national Kresge's chain morph into? Other dime stories once located in Superior. What led to the end of the dime stores in Superior? What businesses currently use the former dime store spaces, and what happened to the Kresge's building? Plus, more. "They (dime stores) were fun," said Meronek. "You could always get a good meal there and excellent ice cream at all of them." Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com [mlockwood@superiortelegram.com] with ideas for future episodes.

1926 a memorable year in Superior

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Nottingham Apartments and the placement of the James J. Hill Empire Builder statue outside of Superior Central High School. Another notable event in 1926 included a meeting of two baseball hall of farmers: Babe Ruth and Superior's Dave Bancroft, who was the Boston Braves' manager at the time. Ruth even visited children's homes in Superior. [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-to-archive-dive-revisiting-superiors-historic-childrens-homes] Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they explore these 100-year old stories. "It is an interesting year. I hope our 2026 is as interesting," said Meronek. Topics discussed in this episode include why was Ruth in the Twin Ports, the role that the Telegram played for his stop in Superior, Ernie Nevers' connection to Ruth, a historic league Bancroft managed in, where did Bancroft work in Superior, approximately how much did it cost to build the Nottingham Apartments, some of the Nottingham's amenities, other businesses in the building space, the sad story of Dave Kaner, Gordon MacQuarrie's [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-macquarrie-and-beecroft-superior-centrals-literary-stars] connection to the Nottingham, reasons why Superior has a James J. Hill Empire Builder statue, which directions has the statue faced and which direction was it reportedly supposed to face, when had Superior originally planned to dedicate it, the cost of the statue and the committees involved, other spots considered for displaying the statue, and other buildings in Superior turning 100, and more. Other notable events in Superior from 1926 including the formation of a skating society, a garden club, [https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/local/listen-garden-clubs-helped-superior-blossom] the Douglas County Sheriff's Office using seized items from illegal liquor due to Prohibition, turning them into scrap and donating the proceeds, the "Almost Bank Robbery" on Tower Avenue, and new studios for WEBC at a former site of the Telegram. Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com [mlockwood@superiortelegram.com] with ideas for future episodes.