Canal Park in Duluth in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Duluth's Ten Commandments Monument
July 28, 2022
1. Duluth's Ten Commandments Monument Marker
Inscription.
Duluth's Ten Commandments Monument. . In 1946, Judge E. J. Ruegemer of St. Cloud, MN, who was also a leader in the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, sentenced a 16-year-old boy to memorize the Ten Commandments. This led to local chapters of the Eagles financing the construction of over 4,000 tablet-shaped granite monuments to be dispersed around the nation. Two Minnesota granite companies produced the massive monuments. In 1957, the monuments were donated to public places across the USA. This was coordinated with the release of the film "The Ten Commandments" and movie stars were used in some dedication ceremonies., This monument was given to Duluth and displayed in front of City Hall for almost 48 years. It was then removed from public property and put up for auction as a result of a threatened lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. Concerned local citizens rallied but the winning bid came from Celebration Church in Lakeville, MN. They returned the monument to a group of Duluthians who had it placed on private property in 2004.
In 1946, Judge E. J. Ruegemer of St. Cloud, MN, who was also a leader in the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, sentenced a 16-year-old boy to memorize the Ten Commandments. This led to local chapters of the Eagles financing the construction of over 4,000 tablet-shaped granite monuments to be dispersed around the nation. Two Minnesota granite companies produced the massive monuments. In 1957, the monuments were donated to public places across the USA. This was coordinated with the release of the film "The Ten Commandments" and movie stars were used in some dedication ceremonies.
This monument was given to Duluth and displayed in front of City Hall for almost 48 years. It was then removed from public property and put up for auction as a result of a threatened lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. Concerned local citizens rallied but the winning bid came from Celebration Church in Lakeville, MN. They returned the monument to a group of Duluthians who had it placed on private property in 2004.
46.921′ N, 92° 5.61′ W. Marker is in Duluth, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in Canal Park. Marker is at the intersection of Canal Park Drive and Buchanan Street, on the right when traveling north on Canal Park Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duluth MN 55802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2022. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 138 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2022.
