...over the Duluth Ship Canal has been called “Duluth’s
Eiffel Tower” and the “gateway to the world,”
but no matter what lofty labels poets and politicians apply
to it, Duluth built its famous bridge for one simple purpose:
Crossing the canal.
For the first time in one book, the complete
story of Duluth’s aerial bridge, from cutting the canal
through the bridge’s 100th anniversary, separating facts
from myths while creating a vivid picture of the life of Duluth’s
iconic landmark.
(Scroll down to purchase the book
or to see a schedule of upcoming Holiday 2008 book signings)
A literal and yet figurative bridge...
In 1871 the citizens of Duluth finished cutting
a canal through Minnesota Point, turning the isthmus into
an island and splitting the fledgling city in two. It would
take almost thirty-five years before a safe, permanent, and
truly unique bridge was built to cross the canal and reunite
Duluth with the community of Park Point, making the city whole
again.
In Crossing the Canal, author Tony
Dierckins brings to life the difficulties encountered by the
residents of Park Point and other Duluthians while building
an aerial transfer bridge and later converting it into an
aerial lift bridge, including the stories of the operators
who have maintained Duluth’s famous bridge through its
first one hundred years.
Praise for Crossing the Canal
“Crossing the Canal is the definitive history
of Duluth’s Aerial Bridge.”
— Aerial Bridge Supervisor Ryan Beamer, in his introduction
of the author
at the LSMM Gales of November Conference in Duluth, 2008
“...Required reading for anyone who loves [Duluth].
Not only is it an informative read, but a fascinating one
as well.”
( Click
here. to read the entire review.)
— Matthew R. Perrine, Duluth Budgeteer
“Possibly every Aerial Bridge fact and photograph
in existence has been crammed into this busy book by Duluth
writer and publisher Tony Dierckins. Dierckins’ book
is rich with photographs, architectural sketches, maps and
oddball factoids.”
— Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“New Book Gets Lift Bridge Story Right”
( Click
here. to read the entire review.)
— Canal Park Times
Media Coverage of Crossing the Canal
Author Tony Dierckins with Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer on
Twin City Public Television’s “Almanac.”
(December, 2009)
( Click
here. to watch the video clip.)
Author Tony Dierckins on Minnesota Public Radio with Cathy
Wurzer
Packed with bonus features:
• Over 250 Images: maps & diagrams,
plans & blueprints, paintings & etchings, modern &
historic photos
• 25 Companion Stories: daring exploits,
notorious events, lighthouses & foghorns, the canal dig
& other legends
• Diagrams of how the aerial lift bridge
works
• Biographic sketches of the bridge bosses
• A complete list of bridge operators
• Lifts by month from 1905–2005
• A guide to harbor horn signals
Plus extended photo essays by:
• Dennis O’Hara: Modern color
photos of Duluth’s aerial bridge, canal, and lighthouses:
• Janet Karon: A dramatic black & white, close-up
study of Duluth’s aerial bridge.
