Duluth MN Moving Companies

Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth’s natural harbor is the base of the economy and the source of the city's scenic beauty.
However, Duluth, Minnesota is not only a wonderful place to visit, it is also a fantastic moving destination. Those moving to Duluth, will discover a city that is ranked as one of the best and most affordable places to live in America, our wonderful little city is also one of the top places to work. Beyond its schools, cultural opportunities, laid-back way of life and tremendous natural surroundings make Duluth the perfect place to call home.

History:
Members of the Sioux and Chippewa tribes originally occupied the western Lake Superior area. One of the first explorers of European descent to arrive in the area now occupied by Duluth was Frenchman Pierre Esprit Radisson, who explored the region in the 1650s or 1660s. The city was ultimately named, however, for Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du, who visited the southern shore of Lake Superior in 1679 in an attempt to make peace between the Ojibway and Sioux tribes and to secure trading and trapping rights. A fur trading outlet remained in the area until 1847. In 1854 and 1855, settlers flocked to the unnamed town hoping to discover copper deposits. In 1856, the village was named Duluth and designated the seat of St. Louis County. Almost immediately, Duluth was struck by troubles. The panic of 1857 devastated the economy, and in 1859, a scarlet fever epidemic caused a further setback to the community. By the end of the Civil War, only two houses remained occupied in Duluth. The town's fortunes were quickly reversed when geologists found iron ore and gold-bearing quartz at nearby Lake Vermillion. Adding to the boom, Maine woodsmen relocated to the region to establish a lumber industry. By 1869, the population of Duluth had grown to 3,500 residents. The new prosperity was short-lived, however, as bank and real estate failures hurt the economy and plunged the city government into debt. Duluth was forced to revert to village status. By 1887, Duluth's population reached 26,000 residents, and the state legislature granted permission for reclassification as a city.

Economy:
Industries include tourism, healthcare, financial/banking, mining, paper, communications, education and shipping. Principal manufacturing firms in Duluth include heavy and light manufacturing plants, food processing plants, woolen mills, lumber and paper mills, cold storage plants, fisheries, grain elevators, and oil refineries. The city is also a regional center for banking, retailing, and medical care for northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, northern Michigan, and northwestern Ontario, Canada. More than 8,000 jobs in Duluth are directly related to the hospital industry. Arts and entertainment offerings as well as year-round recreation in a natural environment have contributed to expansion of the tourist industry in Duluth. Some 3.5 million visitors each year contribute $400 million to the local economy. Items and goods produced in the city include steel, cement, metal and wood products, electrical equipment, textiles, prepared foods. Duluth boasts an abundant, quality workforce, as well as a commitment to bringing new and expanded job opportunities into the community. Minnesota has the highest high school graduation rate in the nation; more than 70 percent of Duluth students go on to college or post-secondary education. The following is a summary of data regarding the Duluth metropolitan area labor force, 2004 annual averages.

Tourism:
Start by heading over to the Glensheen Estate. Built between 1905 and 1908 to resemble a 17th-century country estate, Duluth's 39-room "American Castle" retains the majority of its original furnishings and art and, amazingly, closely resembles the way it looked when its owners, the Congdon family, first occupied it in 1908. Situated on a wooded lot, the mansion boasts spectacular views of Lake Superior. Next, for family fun, it’s off to Spirit Mountain. Located just minutes from downtown Duluth, this popular ski and snowboard recreation area features a variety of terrain for all skill levels, along with great views on the way down. Then, check out Canal Park. There you can watch seagulls soaring while you stroll around this popular spot, part of the revived Duluth waterfront. Nearby are a sculpture garden, jazz clubs, coffee shops, motels and restaurants. Ready to get outdoors? Park Point Nature Trail walks you through a beautiful and wild stretch of land including old growth White Pines with vistas on both sides of the largest sandbar in the largest of the Great Lakes. Finally, the Great Lakes Aquarium is the only aquarium in the U.S. that focuses on freshwater exhibits. This three-story waterfront structure offers plenty of interactive exhibits and re-created habitats are fun and educational for children.

Colleges and Universities:

• University of Minnesota - Duluth
• Lake Superior College
• College of St. Scolastica

Interesting Facts:

• Duluth is rated first in the country for quality healthcare in communities of its size.
• "State of the Air 2002" report places Duluth among the top 10 metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the least smog pollution.