This was the home of George and Harriet (Allen) Campbell for about 48 years. There are many references to her as she was very active on the Bemidji scene. He was an attorney but had a quieter profile!
Miss Harriet Allen was born in Canada and came to the U.S. in 1893. She taught school in and around Grand Rapids for six years. Then she taught at Cass Lake for three years before she came to Bemidji and taught first grade in Central school for five years. At the age of 35, she married George W. Campbell May 30, 1907 and three children were born to them, a son who died in infancy and two daughters, Lois Jane Campbell and Katherine Campbell Hendrickson.
Mrs. George Campbell hosted one of the cottage meetings associated with the Evangelistic Campaign by Rev. H. R. McKee in 1910, and a “thimble bee” later in the year. She organized the Presbyterian boys at her home in February 1912. Officers elected were president, Glen Conger; secretary, Edwin Simons; treasurer Elbridge Lord. The organization was named the Triangle club and met for a social evening on the Fourth Tuesday of every month.
Mrs. Campbell acted as librarian of the city library when it was located in the basement of the courthouse. She also substituted in the public schools of Bemidji at times and in 1928 entered Bemidji State Teachers college and completed a four-year course in 1931. Following this, she again entered the Bemidji school system where she taught for a number of years.
She was one of the founders and charter members and later held the office of president of the Women’s Study Club of Bemidji. She died Nov 9, 1943 at the Bemidji Lutheran Hospital. George W. Campbell died at his residence here in Dec 1950.
The residence then had Jack and Marie (Cahill) Luoma as its owners and residents. Did the house have a certain Karma that contributed to love of community and sociability?? The Luomas lived here from at least 1953 to 1975. John Luoma as teacher and coach was well known by all, and Marie Louma was a shining light wherever she went or what she put her hand to. In addition to her work as a church musician, Marie taught music at the Lab School and Bemidji Middle School. Students who had never sung, found themselves singing in school musicals, musicians from all area churches came together for ecumenical concerts, St. Patrick’s Day revelers crooned along with Marie’s lively accompaniment, grown men who had never performed, dressed in full costume, took to the stage and had the time of their lives; all because of Marie’s persuasive personality and sheer love of music.
As noted in Jack’s obit, their home was full of wonderful noise: balls bouncing, pianos playing, phones ringing, screen doors slamming, big wheels rolling and always, children’s voices. Everyone was welcome at the Luoma’s and more than one young friend found a safe haven there. Jack’s coaching career was successful with a winning record, an undefeated season, many trips to state tournaments, and membership in both the BSU and BHS Athletic Halls of Fame. He shared countless funny stories of the people he met and places he went. He had a hard time telling these stories because he laughed so hard trying to recount the tale that often he couldn’t get out the punch line. His laughter was infectious and his audience ended up laughing right along with him.
Six children grew up at 1202 Minnesota Avenue. The house was for sale in July 1974, and the Luomas moved to Big Turtle Lake about 1975-1976.
Mike Christopher of 1202 Minnesota Avenue hooked a pair of large mouth bass while fishing out at Luoma’s Big Turtle Lake Resort in June 1976.
The house was for sale in 1977 by Dickinson Realty.
Johnson, (No first name) 1978
Vacant (1982)
Rev. Stephen Sedgwick owned it in 1989.
Karen and Todd Skyberg owned it in 1997.
Tamara L Rintala (2020)