This real estate has a long history. Although the original house must have been built before 1910, the records indicate the current one was built in 1945 while the property was owned by James T. Davis and his wife Inez.
Edmund Jewett owned the property in 1904-1912. He was a bartender for Lachapelle & Kramer. He and his wife Arminta lived here, while Edward Jewett and his wife Annie lived next door and worked for W. A. McDonald at the Model Bakery.
The house changed hands several times in the next ten years.
W. J. McClaffin (1912-1913)
G. F. Robinson (1914-15) Robinson’s house moving and foundation building.
Homer Baltzell was improving his property and decided that he wanted a good lawn fence and steel gate However, he also invested in some Goodyear lawn hose. (1916)
For Rent: House with five lots and good barn. Inquire 1120 Park avenue, or phone 550-W. (Nov 1916)
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Homer Baltzell, 1120 Park avenue, this morning, a daughter. (Dec 18, 1916)
The members of the Royal Neighbor lodge gave a farewell party last night in honor of Mrs. Homer Baltzell, 1120 Park avenue, and presented to her a Royal Neighbor pin Those present were Mesdames Charles Parker, Leon Jewett, L. G Crothers, Julius Meilicke, George French, P M. Peterson, H. Palmer, Maude Peterson, George Elletson, Bert Clark Moritz, George Sterling, Harry Slough, T. J. Slough, John Kittleson, George Paquin, Misses Georgia Smith, Lillian French and Mrs. Baltzell’s sister, Miss Esther Mackey, of Ferris. The evening was spent in cards and music, after which refreshments were served. (Mar 30, 1917)
H. W. Haberman (1920-21)
HOUSE FOR SALE—As good as new. 6-rooms, hardwood floors, city water, 50 x140 ft. lot, growing garden, also household goods. Inquire 1120 Park Ave. (July 18, 1921)
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Ripple left Bemidji Aug 3, 1921, for Spokane, Washington, where Mr. Ripple accepted a position. They planned to live near Mrs. Ripple’s sister, Mrs. Baltzell. A number of their friends gave them a surprise farewell party at their home about ten days before they left. There was music, entertainment, and card playing. Friends presented them with a silver berry spoon as a token of remembrance and the esteem in which they were held during their time in Bemidji. About twelve couples attended.
The E. J. Ripple property at 1120 Park avenue, was sold recently through the agency of J. B. Bisiar. H. A. Toensing and family who have occupied it for the past few months will move in a short time to J. W. Dawson’s residence, 1219 Park avenue. (Oct 25, 1921)
This property then belonged to James and Inez (Woodruff) Davis. The family has very interesting history. James Tishomingo Davis was born in 1880 at Fort Byard, New Mexico, thirty years before New Mexico became a state. He first enlisted in the army at Dallas, Texas in 1901. He re-enlisted Feb 1904 at Manila in the Philippines, and at Fort Snelling on April 16, 1907. His service ended as a sergeant in the army on April 18, 1910. One could guess he fell in love with Inez that summer. Mr. Davis was one of the heroes of the rescue squad from Bemidji at the October 1910 forest fire disaster at Baudette and Spooner. Both towns were destroyed. He was employed as a deputy special agent of the Indian bureau, taking a prominent part in the government’s liquor crusade, working out of Bemidji with N. J. Sero.
Inez and her sister Mildred Woodruff came to Bemidji in 1900. They graduated from Bemidji High School in 1907 and were among the group that formed the first Alumni Association for Bemidji High school in 1916. The seniors and graduates of former classes decided to hold an alumni association gathering the second week in June each year, and their banquet site was the Birchmont Hotel.
James Davis married Inez Woodruff on Nov 23, 1910 in Bemidji. The wedding was at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Andrews at 1337 Irvine Avenue. She had been working as a stenographer for Charles McCusick and her sister/bridesmaid was a teacher.
He entered service as a locomotive fireman for the M & I on March 14, 1912. They first lived in Mill Park, then on Central Avenue, Nymore, then at 315 7th Street (1918-1921), and about 1921, they purchased the home on Park Avenue and lived here until his death in 1953. Inez moved to Ohio after his death.
In 1930, they had most of the block. There were no other houses on their side of the 1100 block, and only one neighbor across the street named Alfred Hanson at 1101 Park. He and Inez had children: John, Richard, Wade, Kathleen and Patricia.
After the Davis family moved, there were several different residents.
Howard & Shirley Pederson (1956 – 1963). Carpenter.
Marvin H. & Ruth Edevold (1967) He was head of the Community Action Program at Cass Lake.
For Rent: 3-bedroom, oil heat, large garage. $85. (1969)
Leslie Weekly (1970)
For Sale: 1972.
Mrs. Leslie Tso (1974)
Susan Gladen (1978)
It became the property of Arthur and Melouise Fradenburgh in the 1980s. Arthur served 20 years in the US Army Reserve and retired as a Captain.