Industry
Duluth’s heavy industry was a result of the rich resources of the region. Minnesota’s iron ranges spurred economic growth centered on Duluth. Known as where “rail meets sail,” Duluth was a shipping hub for products like grain, coal, lumber, and iron ore. The ports of Duluth and Superior were the busiest in the country, with almost 11,000 vessels visiting the port in 1912 alone. Countless factories, sawmills, and plants operated in the city. A steel plant opened in 1916, employing thousands of workers.