Old Town’s Stories: Landmarks, Legends, and Legacy
Often called “Old Town,” Superior’s East End neighborhood stretches from 13th Avenue East to 31st Avenue East. Pioneers first settled this area in the summer of 1853 and later named the city “Superior.” After the Sault Ste. Marie Canal opened, speculators quickly saw this spot at the tip of Lake Superior as a key gateway to the West, sparking the city’s early growth and ambition. Here are some of the historic landmarks in Superior, Wisconsin that you can explore in the East End:
Nemadji River
The Ojibwe named the river “Nemadji,” meaning “left hand,” because it lies to the left as you enter Superior Bay from the lake. Early land speculators staked claims along 31st Avenue East near the river. The Military Road, which carried travelers to and from Superior during winter, also runs along this site.
D.A.R. Monument
Superior’s Claude Jean Allouez chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a marker at 31st Avenue East to honor the town’s first building and its earliest settlers. The monument opened in November 1927.
Nemadji Cemetary
The Nemadji Cemetery Association established the cemetery on June 5, 1856. Settlers and Native Americans relocated from Wisconsin Point are buried here. You can find the cemetery at 1001 31st Avenue East.
Nelson Dewey School
Dedicated in January 1935 and named after Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey School sits at 601 24th Avenue East. Today, the building serves as an apartment complex.
St. Francis Xavier Church
The church steeple remains one of Superior’s most recognizable landmarks. Dedicated in 1908, St. Francis Xavier continues to serve its parish. Across from the church at 401 24th Avenue East, the former school and convent now house apartments.
East End Fire Hall
Built in 1898, the East End Fire Hall stands as the last of Superior’s original firehouse buildings. Located at 402 23rd Avenue East, it now hosts the Old Firehouse & Police Museum and the Wisconsin Fire & Police Hall of Fame.
East End Library
The last Wisconsin library funded by Andrew Carnegie, the East End Library opened in September 1918 at 2306 East 5th Street. It functioned as a branch of the Superior Public Library until December 1991 and now serves as a private residence.
Superior Theatre
When it opened in 1932, the Superior Theatre (Facebook post) earned the title “most modern” movie theatre in the northwest. The building at 2201 East 5th Street now houses a hardware store.
Descent Block & Northern Block
Across from St. Francis Xavier Church, these historic blocks reflect the architectural character of Superior’s early East End.
Houses
Denis Dean built his house at 2130 East 4th Street and became Superior’s first postmaster in June 1854. The Ritchie home at 1930 East 4th Street dates to the 1850s and remained in the family until 2022.
The Waterfront
Walking the Osaugie Trail along the East End bay of Lake Superior reveals the remains of the Northern Pacific Dock at 37th Avenue East and old flour mills behind McDonald’s at 22nd Avenue East.
