A discussion on Superior's historic buildings isn't complete without Carl Wirth. The architect put his stamp on Superior, creating structures that were grand, beautiful, and well loved. Many of his buildings have stood the test of time and remain part of the city's landscape.

In this month's episode of the Archive Dive podcast, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Wirth, his art and the significance his buildings have in Superior.

"In 1880, there were 633 people in Superior, " said Meronek. "By 1890, it had grown to over 11,000 and by 1900, there were 30,000 people here, so it was booming and a great place if you were a young architect. He's only probably in his early thirties when he came here and he got a job."

The intersection of Belknap Street and Tower Avenue became the site of many of Wirth's memorable buildings. The New Jersey block, which we know as Globe News, the Grand Opera House, Hotel Superior, West Superior Hotel and the Watkins block.

"He had three of the four corners," said Meronek.

Other Wirth-designs include the Franklin School, two churches for Holy Assumption, Sacred Heart, the city's first Carnegie Library and even some houses. He was well known in the area. Besides having a consistent advertisement featured, Wirth and his projects were mentioned in the Telegram a lot.

"He was a busy man," said Meronek.

During his life, Wirth lived in both Superior and Duluth. He died on November 19, 1928 at the age of 74.

Other topics include Wirth's first job in Superior, where else did Wirth design buildings, what materials were consistently used, His involvement with the Land and River Improvement Company, how he'd find inspiration, other local buildings he may have designed and why we don't know, two significant buildings he didn't get hired for, where else he lived, why he'd return to Superior, family members, how some of the houses he designed have been utilized, where did Wirth himself live in Superior, what happened to some of his buildings, his other interests and talents, did have signature style or design for his buildings, and much more.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

Do you remember Superior's dime stores? If so, this one's for you.

In this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Newberry's, Woolworth's, and Kresge's, all of which could be found on Tower Avenue.

What did they carry? How did they grow? What happened to them? Listen as Lockwood and Meronek dive into their histories. Meronek remembers them well.

"A dime store, it was just like magic," Meronek said. "Because they had everything. If you had a dollar, you could get a lot of stuff because most of it was 5 and 10 cents, as they advertised when they first opened up. A lot of 29-cent stuff. They had everything from household goods to parakeets. You could eat at their lunch counters. You could buy candy. It was just a wonderful place to be."

Topics discussed in this episode include: What set dime stores apart from department stores When did dime stores arrive in Superior? Where else was Woolworth's located in Superior? What were the differences among the three big dime stores? The types of pets you could get at Newberry's and a story of their escape. What was "Ridiculous Days"? What was Meronek's favorite dime store and why? What did the national Kresge's chain morph into? Other dime stories once located in Superior. What led to the end of the dime stores in Superior? What businesses currently use the former dime store spaces, and what happened to the Kresge's building? Plus, more.

"They (dime stores) were fun," said Meronek. "You could always get a good meal there and excellent ice cream at all of them."

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Nottingham Apartments and the placement of the James J. Hill Empire Builder statue outside of Superior Central High School.

Another notable event in 1926 included a meeting of two baseball hall of farmers: Babe Ruth and Superior's Dave Bancroft, who was the Boston Braves' manager at the time. Ruth even visited children's homes in Superior.

Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they explore these 100-year old stories.

"It is an interesting year. I hope our 2026 is as interesting," said Meronek.

Topics discussed in this episode include why was Ruth in the Twin Ports, the role that the Telegram played for his stop in Superior, Ernie Nevers' connection to Ruth, a historic league Bancroft managed in, where did Bancroft work in Superior, approximately how much did it cost to build the Nottingham Apartments, some of the Nottingham's amenities, other businesses in the building space, the sad story of Dave Kaner, Gordon MacQuarrie's connection to the Nottingham, reasons why Superior has a James J. Hill Empire Builder statue, which directions has the statue faced and which direction was it reportedly supposed to face, when had Superior originally planned to dedicate it, the cost of the statue and the committees involved, other spots considered for displaying the statue, and other buildings in Superior turning 100, and more.

Other notable events in Superior from 1926 including the formation of a skating society, a garden club, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office using seized items from illegal liquor due to Prohibition, turning them into scrap and donating the proceeds, the "Almost Bank Robbery" on Tower Avenue, and new studios for WEBC at a former site of the Telegram.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.