The property’s history begins with education, as the original village schoolhouse was built there in 1896 following an August meeting where construction costs were capped at $800. While construction was underway, classes were held in the Malzahn building under Miss Cora Omich’s instruction. By 1899, student enrollment had swelled dramatically, with over 70 students in each of two primary classrooms, forcing the school board to hire additional staff.
The schoolhouse was put up for sale in December 1900. In 1908, Catherine and E.S. Kincannon transferred lots 23 and 24 of block 10 to H.W. Wright. By 1914, Sanborn maps show the corner lot was vacant except for a small dwelling at the back with an entrance at 310 5th Street.
The site was then used as a sand pit for concrete production. John Goodman, proprietor of the Bemidji Pressed Stone, Tile & Cement Company, appears as the property owner in 1924-25.A relatively large two-story house was then built facing America Avenue.
The property then passed through several owners:
• O.A. and Anna M. Garland (1926-1928)(1927 directory
• Frank and Hilda Rom and their three children (1930)
• Chris Becker (1934-1963)
Christoph, also known as Carl, was a Battalion Sgt Major in the U S. Army during World War I. He worked as a foreman carpenter on building construction for the U, S. Interior – Indian Service, for 23 years. He owned his own home. He and Marie raised six children in the house: Joyce, Delbert, Donna, Maxine, Darla, and Renee. The empty lot next to the house on the corner of 5th Street and America Avenue was an unofficial playground for neighborhood kids. Chris and Marie never mentioned liability when we gathered for impromptu ball games. The grass was worn to the point that it was more dirt than lawn.
The community’s spirit was demonstrated in 1961 when VFW Post 160 members gathered to install a new roof for Chris Becker, a disabled WWI veteran. After Christoph Becker’s death in 1963, his wife Marie continued living at 422 America Avenue until her passing in 1968 at Bemidji Hospital.
A new fire station facing 5th Street was built on these lots in 1971. The fire department moved into its new facilities on July 1, 1971. Jerry Moen praised the new station which contained 9,500 square feet of space. Wally Lamon, captain of the engine company, said his responsibilities were much easier to fulfil with the new location. He said that before the move, the firemen had to park their cars in the streets when answering a fire call. Having parking space is just one thing that made the station more convenient.
As of today, the building has faced challenges due to its age, as well as the presence of asbestos tiles, poor air circulation, and temperature regulation issues and replacement is currently being considered by the city of Bemidji.