This quality article on the early history of Bemidji’s schools was found in an early edition of the Bemidji Pioneer (May 2, 1901) and gives a fine history of the first years of Bemidji’s education system.
Evolution of the Schools of Bemidji
(Third Epoch).
May 12, 1900, was the time set for the election of aboard of education, to be composed of six members, which would have charge of the new district on its organization. The election was held in the city hall and the following persons were duly elected to the membership of this board, namely: R. McLennan, I. G. Best, Mrs. Ida R. Bailey, M. J. Leak, P. J. O’Leary and J. A. Ludington, to serve until the regular election in July. On May 17 this board was convened and the independent school district of Bemidji was duly organized under the laws and regulations of the state of Minnesota. At the same meeting M. J. Leak was made president of the board, R. McLennan, secretary, and P. J. O’Leary, treasurer.
At the annual election in July, R. McLennan and M. J. Leak were elected to serve for three years Mrs. Ida R. Bailey and P. J. O’Leary for two years, and I.G. Best and J. A. Ludington for one year. The above named officers were appointed to their respective offices, the same as before the election.
One of the first things brought before this board was the need of larger school facilities, as the former school board had to rent rooms apart from the school buildings, and as the number of pupils were steadily increasing they would probably have to rent four or more rooms apart from the school buildings to supply the wants of the pupils during the coming years. The many inconveniences and cost of renting led them to call a meeting for the purpose of bonding the district to build a six-room addition to the old brick school house. The people, realizing the need of larger school facilities the same as the school board, the bonds were easily voted. Bids were then let for the building, C. L. Gilbert being the lowest bidder, was awarded the contract for building the new portion. Mr. J. H. French was appointed by the board to oversee the building. But while the building was progressing school began the 4th of September with a faculty of nine, as follows: W. B. Stewart of Minneapolis, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, was employed, with Miss Mary Mclntyre also of Minneapolis, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, as his assistant to teach the eighth grade and high school Miss Katherine McMahon of Sauk Rapids, Minn., a graduate of St Cloud Normal, and Northern Illinois Normal, was re-engaged to teach the sixth and seventh grades in her old room of the brick school house Miss Josephine McMahon, Miss K. McMahon’s sister, a graduate of St. Cloud Normal, was engaged to teach A and B, fifth grade, in the Presbyterian church Miss MacDougal of Royalton, Minn., a graduate of St. Cloud Normal, was engaged to teach A and B, fourth grade, in M. E. church Miss Nellie M. Covell of Sandusky, Ohio, a graduate of the Western Reserve Normal, Ohio, was engaged to teach A and B, third grade, in her old room in the brick school house Miss Rose Duclos of Henderson, Minn., a graduate of Mankato Normal, was engaged to teach A and B, second grade, in the other lower room of the old school house. Miss Margaret Marin of Crookston, a graduate of Moorhead Normal, was engaged to teach A, first grade, and A and B, second grade, in a hall owned by Mr. E. Nelson on Third street Miss Edith M. Morgan of Bagley, Minn., a graduate of Larsboro High School, Iowa, and a teacher for three years in Lynnville schools, Iowa, was engaged to teach the kindergarten and B.J. first grade, in the old frame school house on American avenue.
CHAS. D. JONES, in the SIRIUS.
Evolution of the Schools of Bemidji.
Third Epoch–Continued.
On Dec. 1, 1900, a person walking six blocks up Beltrami avenue from Third street would have seen that the new addition spoken about in the first part of this epoch as being under construction was now completed and fashioned along with the old apartment into a grand and beautiful 10-room structure composed of brick, stone and mortar. But, although it looked fine from the outside, the stranger on entering and walking through the rooms found that inside was far superior to the outward appearance. He would notice that the Warfield Electric Light Co. had put electric lights in all the new rooms, halls and basement. While down in the basement he found that the Jerrard Plumbing Co. had put in a complete and
most up-to-date system of steam heat and also waterworks through the building. While upstairs we found a fine library room situated under the bell tower, and on a later visit a collection of about 300 reference and story books in it. Well, in fact, he found the building to have the latest and most modern ideas throughout. While he was reviewing it men were putting the seats and black boards in the new rooms, so that all the outside schools moved into the new addition a few days later with one exception, as the high school and eighth grade moved into the large northwest room upstairs, and Miss Josephine McMahon took the old room.
School closed for the Christmas vacation with a tine entertainment in the city hall. During the vacation Miss Mary McIntyre resigned her position as assistant principal, and Miss Luella Turrell of Redwood Falls, Minn., and a graduate of Carlton college, Minnesota, was engaged to take her position for the rest of the school year. One other change was made in the school faculty, as it was found that Miss K. McMahon’s room was too crowded, so Miss Clara S. Jacobson of Wood Lake, Wis., a graduate of Carlton academy and a member of the Superior Normal, was engaged to teach A, seventh grade, and a portion of the eighth grade in the southwest upper room of the new addition. These being all the changes made school went on with its usual activity. On looking over the register of the different rooms the writer found that the total enrollment at the beginning of school last fall was 327, and that the present enrollment is about 450, or an increase of 123, or 37 per cent.
It is quite a change for the old pioneer to use in the duration of five year’s time the little log school house one-half mile southwest of the Brainerd & Northern round house, with an enrollment of 17, to be changed into the beautiful brick building we have just been describing, with a present enrollment of 450, a school which will have all the latest advantages of any modern graded and high school in the state next year.
Now, in closing we would say that it has been our object all through this “write-up” to impress upon our readers the progress the schools of Bemidji have taken in such a short time, and also to show our appreciation of all the work, money and trouble the people have taken to give us all those advantages which we now enjoy. The end. (May 16, 1901)
CHAS. D. JONES
From The SIRIUS.