The history of Superior is long and storied, starting centuries ago with the Anishinaabe people native to this land. Throughout its rich history, the port city of Superior has been home to important endeavors, people, and stories in American history. Here are just a few interesting bits of history about our superior city.
The Original Port City
Superior was the first of the two twin port cities to be founded, and the natural harbor that Duluth and Superior share remains one of the most important ports on the Great Lakes. At one point in its history, the harbor became one of the busiest in the United States – with ships carrying both cargo and passengers to the Twin Ports.
Presidential Haven
Perhaps surprisingly for its small size, Superior has welcomed many U.S. presidents throughout its history, including a young Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Herbert Hoover, John F. Kennedy, and notably Calvin Coolidge who had a special affinity for Superior.
In 1928, an estimated 20,000 people came to see Calvin Coolidge arrive in the city of Superior, where he would quickly head to a cottage on the Brule River which was to be his “Summer White House.” To continue his presidential duties, a makeshift Oval Office was put in place in Superior’s old Central High School.
Wartime Efforts
Superior’s proximity to the port and ability to house shipyards was extremely important to the wartime effort in both WWI and WWII. Over 200 ships were built in the Twin Ports area in shipyards such as Fraser Shipyards, Walter Butler Shipyard, and Globe Shipbuilding Company.
Also during WWII lived one of Superior’s most important historical figures, Richard I. Bong. Bong, who was born in Superior, downed 40 enemy aircraft during World War II which made him America’s “Ace of Aces.” Bong was awarded a Medal of Honor in 1944, and his legacy lives on in the city through numerous memorials in his name.
Other People and Places…
From a visit from the Dionne quintuplets to being the last port of call for the SS Edmund Fitzgerald before it sank, the stories and people that have had an impact on the history of Superior are vast.
To learn more, dive into Superior’s history as the original port city, and then visit Superior Public Library to see a full history of Superior through murals painted by Carl Gawboy.
