It’s a curious bit of synchronicity or kismet that on Bob Dylan’s 83rd birthday I arrived in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota.
I finally went to see his childhood house yesterday, which is just a couple of miles from my hotel.
(Above) honorary renaming of the street, Bob Dylan Drive, in front of his childhood home.
The house has been well kept up and is currently owned by a Dylan fan.
The population of Hibbing is about the same as it was in 1941 when he was born (16,000+), and iron mining is still the main revenue source in the area.
But most interesting to me is that the Zimmerman name is all over the area: From Sax-Zim Bog, to cities named Zim and Zimmerman.
Of course there are books (yet unread) that have been written about him and Hibbing and more shall be revealed.
(Above) books I found on the internet. I’ll have to do an interlibrary loan search when I get home.
Hibbing High School that Dylan attended is two short blocks away and has quite a presence.
The iron mining company built the stately high school … and they probably haven’t had anyone as awesome as Dylan play in the high school auditorium since he graduated.
Selfie taken across the street.
—jill bell
Flommist Jill Bell is a lettering artist and type designer. Copyright © 2024 Jill Bell.
PLEASE SUPPORT FLOMM
TIPS + DONATIONS DISCREETLY ACCEPTED