Enger Tower is an 80-foot (24 m), five-story stone observation tower atop Enger Hill in Duluth, Minnesota.[1]

Enger Tower
Map
General information
LocationEnger Park
Town or cityDuluth, Minnesota
Named forBert Enger
InauguratedJune 15, 1939
Height80 feet (24 m)
Website
Enger Tower Duluth
Enger Tower at night

Description

edit
 
Duluth and the surrounding area from Enger Tower

Enger Tower stands above Lake Superior, providing panoramic views of the Twin Ports. The landmark is near Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway, a 28-mile byway route with scenic views of Lake Superior. [1] Each of the tower's levels has windows that are accessible by stairs. A green beacon mounted on top of the tower can be seen for many miles. Originally the second floor contained several balcony sections. The balconies eventually fell into disrepair and were removed. Their former entrances were blocked with metal bars.[2] Enger Tower is often lit up in honor of major events.[3]

History

edit

Enger Tower was built as a tribute to businessman and philanthropist, Bert Enger (1864-1931). Enger was a Norwegian immigrant who first ran an unsuccessful business in Pine City,[4] but later found success in Duluth as a furniture seller. Enger bequeathed a sizable portion of his estate to the city of Duluth. This included the land known as Enger Hill which includes Enger Park and Enger Golf Course.[5][6][7]

The tower was first dedicated by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway on June 15, 1939. Enger Tower and Park were renovated during 2011. The royal couple of Norway, King Harald V, and his wife Queen Sonja, came to re-dedicate the newly renovated tower on October 17, 2011, which his parents had dedicated 72 years before.[8]

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Enger Tower, Duluth[usurped] entry at Emporis. Retrieved on February 7, 2008.
  2. ^ "The History of Enger Tower". Enger Park Restoration. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  3. ^ Wells, Lauren (24 March 2020). "Duluth's Enger Tower Will Be Lit Up Until Friday, March 27". B105. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  4. ^ Hagbert "Bert" K. Enger, Zenith City Press.
  5. ^ Bert J. Enger: Building parks for the public (Duluth Budgeteer and Forum Communications Company)
  6. ^ "Enger & Olsen Furniture Warehouse (Zenith City Press)". Archived from the original on 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
  7. ^ Enger Park Golf Course (Minnesota Golf Association)
  8. ^ Kraker, Dan (17 October 2011). "Norway's royalty rededicates Enger Tower in Duluth". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
edit
  • Van Brunt, Walter (1921) Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; Their Story and People (American historical society)
  • Johnson, Nathan (2014) Legendary Locals of Pine City (Arcadia Publishing) ISBN 9781467101196
edit

46°46′34″N 92°07′30″W / 46.77611°N 92.12500°W / 46.77611; -92.12500