Superior and the neighboring city across the bay, Duluth, Minnesota, form a single metropolitan area called the Twin Ports.

Superior was the final port of call for SS Edmund Fitzgerald before her sinking on November 10, 1975.

[5] It is an industrial city, with ship harbors along two sides, several large rail yards, an oil refinery, and shipyard.

The first log cabin in Superior was erected in September 1853 on the banks of the Nemadji River, at the same time that ground was broken for construction of the locks and ship canal at Sault Ste.

[6] Around the same time Superior became the seat of newly formed Douglas County.

In 1883 General John H. Hammond formed the Land and River Improvement Company, which developed much of West Superior, including the West Superior Iron and Steel plant.

Numerous grain, coal and lumber businesses formed in the same period.

[7] In the Boom Period from 1888 to 1892, Land and River Improvement and others built architect-designed business blocks on Tower Avenue, seeing Superior as the "new Chicago".

15.8% were of German, 13.6% Norwegian, 10.9% Swedish, 9.3% Irish, 7.2% Polish, 6.9% Finnish and 5.3% American ancestry.

The Twin Ports of Duluth–Superior, the largest in the Great Lakes, welcomes both domestic and foreign vessels.

[14] The refinery is located along a pipeline connecting western Canada and the Midwest.

Douglas County issued a state of emergency due to heavy smoke, and then an evacuation order for local residents and workers.

The club plays their home games at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex, located at Superior Senior High School.

[citation needed] The current mayor of Superior is Jim Paine, who was first elected in 2017.

Originally opened as a state Normal School (teacher's college), UWS became part of the University of Wisconsin System in 1971.

Richard I. Bong Airport (KSUW) serves the city and surrounding communities.

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Indian Trails.

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, located in the East End of Superior, has been noted for its architecture.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church is located along Belknap Street near the University of Wisconsin–Superior.

Many small churches dot the city's neighborhoods, representing most major denominations.