421 Irvine Avenue
Matt Thome, a saloon owner, moved to Bemidji in 1899 and settled with his family at this address. You may have noticed the Thome name on a building or two in town. His saloon was in the Rex Hotel and then at 400 Minnesota Avenue. When Bemidji was declared to be in Indian country and the saloons were forced to close, Matt did not give up his business interests. In 1915, he made front page news when special officers discovered and confiscated wines, whiskey and champagne, valued at approximately $200, in the cellar of the residence. The officers upon introducing themselves, went directly to the cellar of the residence, found a barrel containing 35 gallons of port wine and a keg in which they found five gallons of blackberry cordial. In suitcases well hidden were found 4 pints of champagne and 10 quarts of imported wine. In a small hole beneath the flooring of the cellar the officers found 37 quarts of whisky. The entire “plant” was destroyed. Thome retired from business and took up farming in Wisconsin. After that, the house had new owners about every five years until it was purchased by the city from the last owner, Dewey Johnson.
This is currently the site of the U.S. Post Office.