This handsome house has a great deal of history. The property was first owned by Mary Wagner, widow, who sold the property to Levi Price for $75 on July 1, 1905. He was an early resident, having moved here with his parents, James and Rose Price before 1900. His father and brother were both carpenters.
Luvina Carner was married to Henry Levi Price in Bemidji Nov. 25, 1905. Even as a teenager, he only used his middle name, so most of the records indicate his name as Levi Price.
Levi Price started to build his house in 1908, as the records show that there was a lien filed by the Douglas Lumber Co. against L. Price for $19.17 for lumber, lath and shingles furnished to erect a building at this address. The materials were delivered in September 1908. A mechanic’s lien of this type was common. A second lien was filed by St. Hilaire Lumber Co. for materials furnished to L. Price which were used to construct a building at this address. Materials were delivered between June 27, 1911 and Sept 11, 1911. Levi Price was a housemover and a carpenter.
On Feb 14, 1907, Mrs. Levi Price presented her husband with a family valentine in the form of a bouncing baby son, Lloyd. Levi Price was a delegate from the Third Ward to attend the democratic county convention in 1908. He was an avowed supporter of Governor Johnson. On the 1910 census, he and Mrs. Luvina Price and son were living on 14th or 15th Street. The census taker first wrote 15th Street, crossed it out, and wrote 14th Street. They also had two daughters Vada and Vera.
On the 1910, 1920 and 1930, this house was listed as 621 14th Street, Bemidji Township. There obviously was a shift somewhere of one block. I’ve always been confused by 13th street north to 15th St. I would love to have someone explain to me why there was this shift in street designations, or am I confused? Nothing is listed on 15th Street in the early city directories, but this house is listed as 621 14th St. in Bemidji Township. Perhaps the boundary line was here between the village of Bemidji and Bemidji Township. I believe I saw some controversy over this boundary in reading about the history of the Northern School.
Reynolds & Winter advertised a five-room house for rent on 15th and Park Ave. for $15 a month in 1917. Probably this was the house.
Levi and Luvina Price moved to Alvwood east of Blackduck in 1919, where they homesteaded, and rented out this house to other residents.
.George Titus and wife Louise resided at 621 14th St. in 1916-1917. He was a stationary engineer, defined as a technically trained person who operates, troubleshoots, and oversees industrial machinery and equipment.
Louis C. Coe, tailor for P. Brosvik, resided here with wife Eva in 1920-1921. Mrs. L. C. Coe, 621 Fourteenth street, entertained at 6 o’clock dinner last evening in honor of her daughter Marcia’s birthday anniversary. Pink and white color scheme was carried out throughout decorations and menu. Miss Coe received a number of useful and pretty remembrances from her friends. Those present were Misses Ruth and Marie Rice, Delia and Hilda Martin, Edith Berglund, and little Miss Alice Catherine Coe. (Nov 8, 1921)
H. J. Saar (1924-25)
Geo. Grover (1927-28)
According to the city directory, Levi and Luvina Price were back here again in 1930-31, along with his parents James and Rose Price, and were still here in 1934-35. Levi Price’s occupation was listed as a general contractor. They moved to Birchmont Drive about 1935 and were still there in 1940. Mrs. Price worked in the Bremerton Navy shipyards during World War II. He died on March 6, 1951. His wife continued to own at least part of the property. She lived until 1973 and died at Blackduck.
Daniel G. Crossley was the chief engineer for Bemidji State College. He was a widower from England with at least two daughters, Juanita and Sylvia. They lived at 1111 Lake Blvd. in 1940. He married Ito Larson in Cass County in 1941, and they moved here and were residents in 1942.
Oscar Swenson, 621 15th St., left last weekend for Chicago where he will enter Hines Veterans’ Hospital for treatment. (Sept 29, 1944)
Harold J. Larson and wife Vera Larson lived here from approximately 1946-1951. He was an engineer employed by Bemidji State College. They lived in the neighborhood on Park Avenue before moving to this house.
Clarence A. Glassman & Petra Glassman were listed as residents from 1953 to 1967. In 1958 and 1960, he was a counter clerk for Bemidji Auto Parts. Burma Glassman, my ’57 classmate, was working for the Markham Hotel. Seaman Recruit Michael Glassman was undergoing basic training in 1966 in San Diego. Burma Glassman was the vocalist and Karyn Glassman was maid of honor for the wedding of Joanne Lauderbaugh to Gary Hanson in November 1966. Petra Glassman died on Aug 24, 1964. Clarence married Alice Fox in 1967 and they moved to Grace Lake.
Mr. Price died March 6, 1951. Mrs. Price moved to Bemidji in 1952. Luvina M. Price, a widow, sold 75 ft. of Lot J to Janet M. Gould, on Feb 23, 1960.
Jim Aakhus grew up in the neighborhood in the 1960s thru 1974. Mrs. Diane Aakhus was employed by the Bemidji Pioneer as the classified clerk in 1967. This home was listed as her residence. The younger generation of the family consisted of Jeff, Jay, Jim, Pam and Greg.
Jim Aakhus reported the theft to a blue 20 inch Schwinn Sting Ray Bicycle on July 15, 1971. Mrs. Max Wolfe reported the theft of two bicycles from their yard on Hwy 2 as well.
Jeff Aakhus was among thirty who appeared in court on speeding charges and forfeited a $20 bond in Sept 1972, but I don’t think this was on a bicycle. A garage sale in October 1972 included the sale of a Conn trumpet. Jim, was this yours?
William Easton married Ina Diane Aakhus on May 20, 1972 and moved into the home.
William Easton, a journeyman serviceman for Ottertail Power, was in critical condition after being burned in an electrical accident near Clearbrook on May 31, 1973. Easton had been with Otter Tail Power for 17 years. He was working alone but managed to make his way to the highway where a passerby picked him up and took him to the hospital.
Son Erik William Aakhus born Sept 22, 1973.
Three-bedroom house with recreation room was for sale by owner in October – Nov 1973.
“Babysitter wanted for three-month old, my home weekdays. Jan 1974.”
Home for sale in June 1974 because the owner transferred.
Roger and Patricia Edlund took over ownership in the 1970s. He was a teacher and she was a librarian aide in 1989.