Congdon Park in Duluth in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Greenhouse

— Glensheen Historic Estate —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. The Greenhouse Marker

Inscription.
The greenhouse allowed the Congdons to enjoy what the short Duluth summers could not give them — homegrown exotic fruit and flowers. Their indoor harvest included fruit from full-sized banana trees, as well as orchids, Easter lilies and poinsettia plants.

There were four rooms within the greenhouse: the Palm House, the Rose House, the Carnation House, and a General Growing House. The latter was used to start more than 6,000 seedlings for vegetable and flowering annuals.

Heating this large glass space required 65 tons of coal annually, rivaling the resource needs of the mansion itself. In 1971, due to rising expenses, the greenhouse complex was torn down.

Did you know?
These buildings once housed banana trees so the Congdons might have fresh fruit year round. There are currently banana trees kept at UMD’s Greenhouses, and these may be Glensheen’s original plants.

Erected by Glensheen Historic Estate. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 46° 48.937′ N, 92° 3.053′ W. Marker

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is in Duluth, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in Congdon Park. It can be reached from London Road (Voyageur Highway) (State Highway 61) 0.2 miles north of South 32nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located about 30 meters northwest of the Gardener's Cottage. Walking access is from the Glensheen Estate parking lot on the northeast side of the property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3300 London Road, Duluth MN 55804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region

and in the Iron Range.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vegetable Garden (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

2. The Greenhouse Marker

Looking east across the former greenhouse site. The Gardener’s Cottage is in the right background. Lake Superior is visible in the distant background.

Gardener's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowling Green & Tennis Court (within shouting distance of this marker); Bent Brook (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Servant's Courtyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Glensheen, A Family Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duluth.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Glensheen — The Historic Congdon Estate

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.