Local lore in Park Point, Duluth, Minnesota

• Park Point is the world's longest freshwater sandbar, running roughly seven miles into Lake Superior. Residents are entirely aware of this and will mention it.
• There is one road on and off the Point, and it goes over a bridge that lifts for ships. Everyone who lives here has a story about missing something because of the bridge.
• Sky Harbor Airport, with its single runway, sits at the end of the residential street. It is one of the more surprising things at the end of any neighborhood in America.
• The ship canal that separates Park Point from Canal Park was cut by Duluth interests in the early 1870s so vessels would not have to sail the length of the Point and enter from the Superior side. The Point has been an island ever since.
• The ruins of the original lighthouse still stand in the old-growth pine forest beyond the recreation area, at the undeveloped tip.
• The Point counts two churches, two nursing homes, four marinas, a fire hall, a rowing club, Coast Guard and Army Reserve stations, and an airport, and no grocery store. In summer the beach brings the entire city across one bridge; in February the same beach belongs to whoever is willing to walk it.

Local lore next door

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