For about ten years, I have been researching the buildings, residences and growth of Bemidji by reading old newspapers, city directories, and public records. The research focuses on the older parts of Bemidji from Lake Blvd west to Delton Ave., from 1st Street north to 15th Street, Mill Park, the Midway Drive area, and the additions south of the railroad tracks to Lake Irving, such as the Carson Addition. The research took on a life of its own. It may evolve into a book some day, so if you wish to send information or pictures of a place your family lived in, please consider submitting it for possible inclusion on the website and/or future book. The Depot Express, the newsletter of the Beltrami County Historical Society, has carried an article quarterly called “On the Street Where You Live” which you can find on the website http://beltramihistory.org/blog/.
The original townsite was surveyed by Charles Forbes. It encompassed 22 blocks. Most were 25’ lots, 140 ft. deep. Some are laid north to south, and some east to west. It was filed March 7, 1896. The original plat included 1st to 8th St., and Lake Boulevard to America Ave. There were numerous additions before 1900, as this small lumbering town was booming.
Carson’s Addition – Surveyed by Marcus Stoner. Cora B. Carson & G. E. Carson. This includes the land between Irvine Avenue and Park Avenue, from Woodland Avenue on Lake Irvine to Fourth Street, and the south half of blocks 1 and 12, between 4th and Fifth Street. It consisted of 12 blocks. Block 6 and 7 are odd sized and are situated between Woodland and Oak Street. Filed Oct 30, 1897.
First Addition – Lake Boulevard to America Avenue, Eighth to Tenth Street. Encompassing Blocks 1-10. From Dewey west to America Ave, each block is divided into 24 lots, each 25 ft. wide and 140 feet deep. Between Lake Blvd and Dewey, they are odd sizes. Plat field for record on June 20, 1898.
Railroad Addition, Bemidji Avenue to America Avenue, Blocks 1, 2, 3, each block divided into 12 lots, each 25’ wide and 140 feet deep. Fronts First Street and Gov. Lot 1. Filed March 8, 1899.
Lake Park Addition. From Tenth Street to Twelfth Street, Encompasses Lake Boulevard to Bemidji Avenue. From Lake Boulevard to Dewey, they are 40’ lots, and are 150 feet deep. Block 1 has 15 lots, Block 2 has 15 lots. All are large lots facing Lake Bemidji. Lots between Dewey and Bemidji Avenue are 25’ lots, and are 120 ft. deep. Filed March 29, 1899.
Swedback’s Addition consists of one block south of the tracks on Irvine Avenue. Block 1. Lots are 40’ x 120 ft. and there are 12 lots, except for lot 1, which is an odd triangle facing Railroad Street. This addition is located between Railroad Street and Lake Irvine. Filed July 1, 1899.
City Directories did not include street addresses in 1904. The first Bemidji directory to include street addresses was 1910. Houses faced various directions. Sometimes they were placed at the back of a lot; sometimes they were set back a considerable distance from the street. Many buildings were occupied by several families. There might be an entrance facing the street, but also an entrance to the back and an entrance to the upstairs.
It is often unclear whether the person or family listed in the newspaper or directory actually owned the building or was a renter. In-depth property records, tax records, and so on would be necessary to do a thorough study of each property. This is not the intent of this column. Newspapers usually supplied information about a resident, but did not necessarily distinguish between an owner and a renter.
The words “avenue” and “street” were not capitalized by newspaper editors in the early decades.
Dates in parentheses indicate the date of an article. Early references make it difficult to determine the exact location of a building or residence. An early example is that of Sam Simpson and another is John McDonald.
Sam Simpson is building a very neat barn near his residence on Bemidji avenue, where he has purchased three or four lots, which indicates that he is going to make Bemidji his home. (Oct 16, 1902)
John McDonald is moving his residence and will face it on Bemidji avenue. The lots it occupies at present will be used as a site for a new residence. (1904)