This remarkable tower is without a doubt the best location to get a stunning view of the so-called “Twin Ports” located at Lake Superior.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Enger Tower!
1. The tower is located on a hill with the same name
Enger Tower is an observation tower that was built with the national Blue Stone quarried in the region and is located in the city of Duluth, Minnesota.
This fascinating landmark provides stunning views of the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. Both cities are located on the western side of Lake Superior, one of the 5 Great Lakes of North America.
The main reason is that it is located on top of a hill in Duluth, also named Enger Hill.
2. It’s situated in a park with the same name as well
The tower is part of a park in Duluth which is also referred to as “Enger Park.” This park features a remarkable Japanese garden that is home to a peace bell from Duluth’s Sister City in Ohara, Japan.
Apart from walking paths that offer amazing views of Lake Superior, St. Louis Bay, and Duluth Harbor, this park also features the Enger Golf Course.
3. The tower was named after a Norwegian immigrant
So why are all these things referred to as “Enger?”
That’s because the land it was situated on was donated to the city of Duluth by a Norwegian immigrant named Hagbert “Bert” J. Enger (1864-1931). After coming to the United States, he set up a business in Pine City which unfortunately failed.
After trying his luck a second time he managed to build a successful furniture business in Duluth and became extremely wealthy. The observation tower was built in his honor on the hill that he bequeathed to the city of Duluth.
4. It’s far from being the tallest tower in the world
The tower only features 5 stories and all of these feature windows which provide lookouts to get amazing views of the landscape in and around Duluth.
This also means that the tower only stands 80 feet (24 meters) tall. This lack in height is compensated by the fact that it’s situated on top of Enger Hill. The top of the tower stands exactly 531 feet (161 meters) above the surface of Lake Superior below.
That’s why the tower provides such amazing views of the surrounding landscape!
5. It was inaugurated by the future King and Queen of Norway
Perhaps one of the most remarkable Enger Tower facts is that upon its completion in the year 1939, which was 8 years after Bert Enger passed away, the tower was inaugurated by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway.
The special moment that the tower was officially inaugurated happened on June 15, 1939. Crown Prince Olav went on the become King Olav of Norway from the year 1957 until his death in 1991.
6. It was re-inaugurated by the King of Norway in 2011
The original tower featured several balconies on the second floor which provided additional lookout spots for visitors of the tower. These were eventually removed and their entrances blocked with metal bars.
The most serious renovation took place in 2011. Another fascinating fact about Enger Tower is that the son of the Royal couple who inaugurated the tower in 1939 visited Duluth with his wife to do exactly the same.
The tower was re-inaugurated by King Harald V of Norway and his wife Queen Sonja. This event took place on October 17, 2011, shortly after the renovation project was completed.
7. The tower is lit during special occasions and looks magnificent
Apart from serving its park as an observation tower, the tower is also one of the most prominent and amazing landmarks in the region. This is especially accentuated during special occasions when the tower is lit up in a wide variety of colors. This turns the stone monument into a fascinating illuminated spectacle.
The tower was lit up in purple in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic as a sign of hope for the future.
8. The top of the tower provides amazing views
The main feature of the tower is still the observation deck on top of it which provides stunning views of the magnificent landscape in and around Duluth.
The tower is also located near the scenic “Skyline Parkway,” a 28-mile (45 kilometers) route in and around Duluth that provides equally stunning views of Lake Superior.
