Carl Rudolf Berghult

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Carl Rudolf Berghult II (April 15, 1905 – February 16, 2000) was the 26th mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, serving from 1937 to 1941. Born in Duluth to Swedish immigrant parents, he grew up there, graduated from Denfeld High School in 1923, and studied at Gustavus Adolphus College. At age 31, he became the youngest mayor of a U.S. city with more than 100,000 people and the first Duluth native to hold the position.

As mayor, Berghult secured funding for the Blatnik Bridge, beautified public spaces, reorganized the city’s debt, and started health and work programs for residents. After leaving office, he joined the U.S. Navy and rose to the rank of commander, serving at Normandy and in Norway during World War II.

Berghult lived in Duluth his entire life. He married Eva Louise Drewes and had two children. He died in Arlington, Texas, on February 16, 2000, at age 94. His cremated remains were interred at Oneota Cemetery in Duluth.