Presently: Architectural Resources Inc.
Previously: Old Duluth City Jail
Built: 1891, after city hall
Architect: Oliver G. Traphagen, Duluth
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque Revival
This building was restored by Architectural Resources in 1968-69.
It is one of the best examples of this style of architecture in
the area. Carved pediment, stone balustrade on the cornice, and
wonderful brownstone carvings, including "police", on
the facade. The brownstone was quarried at Mr. Edward
Ingall’s Quarry at Fond du Lac Minnesota. The first skywalk
in Duluth is still between the Court House and City Hall. Believed to have been installed sometime after 1920,
it was used
to transport prisoners between the Jail and Court House without
going outside.This is the Jail that was in use during the June 15th 1920 riots in which three black men, (lest we forget:) Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, Isaac McGhie, were hanged by a mob of 10,000. If you wish to learn more about this infamous event in Duluth history please read the books on the subject by Micheal Fedo.
The building was used as a jail until condemned by the state in 1941. During the 50’s it was a restaurant, "The Southern Inc.".
