Archive Dive with the Superior Telegram

About Archive Dive with the Superior Telegram

Interviews with local historians about a person, place or historic event. Brought to you by the reporters at the Superior Telegram and Duluth News Tribune.

Publisher

Forum Communications Co.

Category

history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Jan 2022

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

58 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Douglas County benefits from FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps

   For this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Teri Cadeau and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek dive into the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and its lasting impact on Douglas County, particularly Pattison State Park. "They (CCC) really did a beautiful job out there and I don't know if we ever give them enough credit," Meronek. Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 as a key part of the New Deal, the program addressed widespread unemployment during the Great Depression by employing single men ages 18 to 25 to restore the nation's natural resources. At Pattison State Park, CCC workers constructed buildings, carved stone features, created an interlake and island, and maintained park grounds under U.S. Army supervision. "(President) Roosevelt knew these parks were important to the American people," said Meronek. "They needed to be taken care of and they hadn't been taken care of because there was no money. So let's put some of our very few resources towards that and employ people at the same time." Meronek suggests that without the CCC's craftwork and land donor Martin Pattison's generosity, the park would not exist as it is known today. The discussion also covers CCC pay structures, family support, educational opportunities, major infrastructure projects, and personal family connections to the program. "It's still an extremely popular place." Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email Teri Cadeau at tcadeau@superiortelegram.com.

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Lumber baron established sixth state park

   For this month's episode of "Archive Dive," we look at a special place for residents and visitors in Douglas County: Pattison State Park. Telegram reporter Teri Cadeau is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they dive into the history of the state park, which was named for Martin Pattison, a wealthy lumber baron and miner who had also been the Douglas County sheriff and mayor of Superior. Pattison and his family lived in what is now known as Fairlawn Mansion and Museum. Pattison knew an area about 12 miles south of Superior with spectacular scenery and waterfalls. He'd eventually buy it, but not for personal use. "He had lumbered out there and near the falls," said Meronek. "I thought he had just bought up the property because he was rich and he could do that." In an effort to prevent a power dam from being built on the Black River, which would have likely destroyed Big Manitou Falls, Pattison bought 660 acres from several landowners along the river. "He knew about the falls, and he said the older he got, the more that area meant to him. The beauty of it, and he didn't want it destroyed. He thought that he needed to save it, and he did." In 1918, he donated the land to the state of Wisconsin. Two years later, in 1920, the state dedicated it as the sixth state park and named it for Pattison. Pattison State Park now contains over 1,400 acres, including both the Big Manitou and the Little Manitou waterfalls. "Manitou" is an Indigenous word, and Big Manitou Falls is also known as "Gitchee Manitou," meaning "great spirit." It has the distinction of being Wisconsin's highest waterfall at 165 feet. In many ways, what we see and appreciate today can be credited to Pattison himself, who died at the age of 77 the same year he donated the land. "He did it because he really loved this place. He wasn't born in this area, but it was his adopted home, and he just thought that everyone should enjoy the beauty that was out there in those falls," said Meronek. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps began overseeing the park and would help preserve it and make improvements. Other topics in this episode include: How Pattison ended up in Superior. What conditions did Pattison have attached to the land when he gave it to the state? Did Pattison donate additional land? How President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped shape the park's future. Events held at the park. How the state park bounced back after storms in 2018. Animals in the park. Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email Teri Cadeau at tcadeau@superiortelegram.com.

3. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Life on the edge with Superior skating stars

   For this month's episode of the Archive Dive podcast, we feature two talented figure skating stars from Superior. Bess Ehrhardt and Bobby Specht thrilled fans nationwide with their excellence on ice. Telegram reporter Teri Cadeau is joined by the local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek for this deep dive into the lives of Ehrhardt and Specht. Both were Superior Central High School graduates who reached national fame in the 1930s and 40s. A champion figure skater, Ehrhardt's biggest fame came with the touring Ice Follies, where she became known as "America's Sweetheart of the Ice." She was also seen on the "big screen," starring in a film called "The Ice Follies of 1939" with Jimmy Stewart and Joan Crawford. "Everybody wanted to go to an ice show and Bess apparently was very good at it," said Meronek. Specht was about five years younger and at an early age, he was turning heads with his skating skills. Ehrhardt helped him give him a break. "Bess was in town. She came and she performed and they gave her a couple solos, but she gave up one of them so Bobby could have a solo performance," said Meronek. "I guess that's when people realized how talented he was. After that he was invited to various ice shows and then he started competitive skating. Specht went on to compete in the United States Figure Skating Championships, where he earned a bronze medal in pairs with Joan Mitchell in 1941 and won a gold medal in 1942 in singles. The Winter Olympics would have been a possibility, but they were canceled in 1944 due to World War II. Specht served in the U.S. Air Force during the war and afterwards, he performed with the touring Ice Capades. He even skated on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Both Ehrhardt and Specht made their hometown proud and Meronek hopes that even in death, they can be immortalized. "I think they're both in local halls of fame, but nobody remembers them anymore and they did some pretty amazing things." Other topics include: The early days of the Superior Curling Club The role that Duluth's Frank Sullivan played in local skating. How did Ehrhardt begin skating? Another career aspiration that Ehrhardt had. How Ehrhardt met her husband and the unique secret they kept. How did Ehrhardt become a professional skater? Tricks on skate that Ehrhardt perfected. Ehrhardt's family and tragic death. Specht's family. Could Specht have become an elite skater sooner? The crowd response after Specht skated in a competition in Philadelphia. How long did Specht skate in the Ice Capades? Did Specht have Hollywood aspirations? Ehrhardt and Specht's ties to the University of Wisconsin Superior. Where else did both live? And much more. Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email Teri Cadeau at TCadeau@superiortelegram.com.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

67

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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