North Shore in Duluth in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Boatwatching

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. Boatwatching Marker

Inscription.
McQuade Small Craft Harbor is a great place to watch for interlake and ocean-going freighters ("salties"). You'll also see workboats, fishing boats, and recreational craft of all kinds.

The largest inland port in the United States, Duluth-Superior Harbor receives more than 1,000 freighters annually. Great Lakes and foreign cargoes include iron ore (taconite), coal, limestone, salt, cement, grain, steel, and machinery. The largest ships on the Great Lakes are more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) long and carry 70,000 tons (63,503 metric tons).

[photo and illustration captions]
• The Varnebank, a Dutch Ocean-going Cargo Ship, 2011
• Hopeful Anglers Depart McQuade Harbor
• U. S. Coast Guard Craft
• Sea Kayakers, Lake Superior Water Trail

Paddlers enjoy a well-charted trail that offers many points, of access and camping along the entire Minnesota North Shore.

• The Roger Blough, Great Lakes Fleet, 2008

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 46° 52.876′ N, 91° 55.131′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Duluth, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in North Shore. It can be reached from the intersection of Congdon Boulevard (North Shore Drive) (State Highway 61) and McQuade Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in the McQuade Small Craft Harbor interpretive kiosk, overlooking Lake Superior. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5105 Congdon Boulevard, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Superior: One Great Lake (here, next to this marker); Safe Haven from Wild Winds and Waves

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

2. Boatwatching Marker

This is the rightmost of three panels on the north side of the McQuade Small Craft Harbor interpretive kiosk. The harbor is visible in the background.

(here, next to this marker); Commercial Fishing (here, next to this marker); Prospectors & Settlers (here, next to this marker); Highway 61: Road to Tourism (here, next to this marker); Clifton–French River (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Skyline Parkway (approx. 5.1 miles away); Buchanan (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duluth.

McQuade Small Craft Harbor Interpretive Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

3. McQuade Small Craft Harbor Interpretive Kiosk

The interpretive kiosk is on the south side of North Shore Drive, overlooking Lake Superior. Access to the kiosk is from the parking lot on the north side of North Shore Drive. There is a pedestrian access tunnel under the highway. This is the rightmost of six interpretive panels in the kiosk.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.