In this month’s episode of Archive Dive, we trace the history of Clough Island in Superior - from timber baron's manor to a protected habitat.

Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they discuss the piece of land, which is also known as Whiteside Island and is the largest island in the St. Louis River.

The 358-acre island is now a protected wildlife area in the heart of the river’s estuary, but did you know Clough Island once served as a summer home, complete with a creamery, blacksmith, and race track? At one point, there were plans for the site that included an 18- hole golf course, hotel, marina, and 700 homes. It even has a connection to Watergate.

New 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 for a topic you’d like to see covered, email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com.

Barker's Island is a focal point for celebrations, boating, and recreation in the city of Superior. The man-made island created in the 1890s out of dredged material is a popular spot, but there was a time when it nearly disappeared.

For this month’s episode of the Archive Dive podcast, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek dive into the history of the island. Why was it built? What brought Barker's Island back? How has it been used over the years? Who was Captain Barker, the man for whom it was named? Plus, much more.

New 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 for a topic you’d like to see covered, email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com.

For this month’s episode of "Archive Dive," we caught up with legendary broadcaster and former WDIO-TV news anchor Dennis Anderson.

Superior Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood, Duluth News Tribune reporter Jay Gabler and digital producer Dan Williamson joined Anderson at his Duluth home Nov. 7 to hear his memories of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinking for an upcoming 50th anniversary project. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, we wanted to share some of this visit with you.

"The Fitz" left from the Superior entry Nov. 9, 1975. The ship sank about 17 miles from Whitefish Bay during a severe storm the next day. All 29 members of the crew died.

Anderson, who was 31 years old at the time, broke the story to the Northland and the world. He interrupted the "Monday Night Football" game to give the news. The first update was audio only as it took time for the cameras in the studio to warm up. Beyond the 29 crew members who died, Anderson said the incident affected so many in our community.

"I think the people of Duluth and Superior understand that this was a major, major incident here in the Twin Ports and we shouldn't put it on a shelf and forget about it," he said.

In addition to his memories of that tragic day and the days that followed, Anderson, 81, told us about so much more, including his start in radio broadcasting and how he met his wife of nearly 60 years.

Anderson has spent more than 60 years in broadcasting. He stepped away from full-time work in 2011, retiring from the WDIO anchor desk after 42 years with the TV station. He joined PBS North in 2011 as a co-host of "Almanac North" and continues to contribute to the station.

"Journalism is a fascinating occupation," he said. "It just brings me and others who are in this business so close to the happenings of the Northland, and a lot of people, I think, have a habit of tuning in each night to see what's going on in the region. It's very, very important to them and I like being a part of satisfying that thirst for news."

Anderson went on to discuss his thoughts on the importance of local news.

"A lot of people don't like the news," he said. "They don't want to watch it for whatever reason or read about it for whatever reason. But without a free press, without a free media, we wouldn't have a free country. It's that important."

New 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 for a topic you’d like to see covered, email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com.