Joseph Patrick Duncalf purchased this lot for $130 on Dec 12, 1902. Filed Aug 17, 1903. Mr. Duncalf purchased several lots in the neighborhood as an investment.
This fine-looking Victorian home was built before 1904 by one of best-known architects and contractors in Bemidji. Thomas Johnson came to Bemidji in 1898. Mr. Johnson was awarded the contracts for some of the finest buildings in the community. He designed and built the Markham Hotel, the Charles Nangle building, the Northland Cold Storage Plant for Hamm’s; and the number of residences he built between 1898 and 1909 were estimated to be in the hundreds. In his family life, his wife Bertha died Nov 22, 1907. They had three daughters named Myrtle, Elizabeth and Ottelie. He hired two Kinseth sisters who were servants in the house after his wife’s death.
The home was sold about 1914 to L.B. Wilson who was the proprietor of the Fair Store. They were here a few years but moved to 1015 Bemidji Avenue in April 1917.
The next owner was Mrs. Belle Brown who rented out the residence. In November 1917, she advertised a nicely furnished front room upstairs, with or without board. Strictly modern house.
Mr. and Mrs. William Clish rented Mrs. Belle Brown’s residence and took possession June 1, 1919. Mrs. Brown went to conduct a summer hotel at Waville, across the lake, and expected to open up for business the first of June as well.
William Clish and family; Dr. Justin Tuomy and family were lodgers (1920 census)
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Foley lived here in1923-25, but then purchased a home at 1215 Bemidji Avenue and moved there in June 1925.
Ralph H. Dickinson (1927-1928) (1931-1932)
Manville Reff (1934-35)
Alf Dybvig, Harvey Rock, Claude Williams (1942)
Mrs. Bernice Brouillard, Mrs. Mary Fick, Harry Johnson, Flora Malzahn (1946)
Estill I. Snapp and wife Katherine moved to Bemidji from Richmond, Kentucky. They owned this house from 1953 to at least 1967. He owned Snapp’s Sporting Goods.
Robt Grant (1970)
Wayne & Doris Stinson were owners and residents of the house in 1978.
Joel and Joyce Buzick (1982)
Apartments (1995)