Thanks Asher, Doug and Tom for comments and sharing memories. (And Tom, I'll get that book).
Elevators and Laker Boats signify dockside occupations that originated in the 19th century and continue in reduced forms to the present day. Superior WI shared with my home city of Thunder Bay ON a boom time belief that the railway, grain and Laker Boats would elevate each to the status and wealth of a '
new Chicago'. Those boom times didn't last but they had lasting effects on everything from the architecture to prosperity to generosity to a strong sense of community. Blue collar cities at their best.
Here's a couple more photos taken during that evening dog walk. The first I call
Under the Overpass. The overpass bridges the bay between Superior and Duluth MI. You can see elevators on both sides of the overpass but the photo only shows one set.
The second photo shows where the workers go when finished their shift. Dayshift, nightshift, anytime shift doesn't seem to matter. Like many nearby taverns that likely date back to the early 1900s,
Lost in the 50's stays open round the clock as far as I can tell. I first went there at about 7.00 in the morning hoping to get a bacon and eggs breakfast. The barman shook his head, said they didn't serve food, but "Would I like a nutritious
Bloody Mary instead?" "Yes please!"
Cheers, Mike.