Enger Tower, West Skyline Parkway, Duluth, Minnesota

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Enger Tower
1984
Location of Structure:	Off of West Skyline Parkway, in Enger Park.
Neighborhood/s:	Duluth Heights, Duluth, Minnesota
City/locality- State/province	Duluth, Minnesota
County- State/province:	Saint Louis County, Minnesota
State/province:	Minnesota
Country:	United States
Year built:	1939

Enger Tower is a Duluth landmark. At an elevation of 451 feet above Lake Superior, the 80-foot-high, five-story octagonal tower sits on the summit of rocky bluffs overlooking Duluth and the harbor. It is built from 'blue stone' (also called 'Duluth Gabbro') a hard, dense volcanic rock cut and used mainly for building stone walls and foundations. (See Civilian Conservation Corps work, with close-up of Gabbro-built structure, Gooseberry Falls State Park, and also Jay Cooke State Park for examples.) The observation tower has stairs to access the arched openings at each successive level, with 360-degree views of the area. A green beacon is mounted on the top of the tower roof.

Contents 1 History 2 Memories and stories 3 Photo Gallery 4 Related Links 5 Notes

History

Enger Tower was dedicated by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway on June 15, 1939. It was named for Bert Enger, a successful Norwegian immigrant, who left the city of Duluth two-thirds of his estate including the land for the tower and Enger Park. The site now includes Enger Tower, extensive gardens, a pavilion, hiking trails, facilities for picnicking, and the installation of a Peace Bell, a gift from Duluth's sister city Oh Ara, Japan; nearby is Enger Golf Course. For generations this has been a popular location for family picnics and school outings.

In September 2009 Minnesota Public Radio reported that Enger Tower needs renovation work in order to prevent further deterioration and preserve the structure.

Memories and stories

Photo Gallery

Enger Tower, 1974

View of Enger Park, Duluth Harbor and Aerial Bridge from Enger Tower, 1974.

Related Links

Superior Trails: Enger Park

Minnesota's Volcanic Rocks: Gabbro

Gabbro Specimens

Notes