Challenge Hotel, 411 Beltrami Avenue
Julius Miller purchased the lot originally but sold to Mrs. Alma Smith who built the Challenge Hotel on this lot in 1903. The hotel had a café and rooms for rent.
In May 1905, the hotel was the scene of the marriage of Walter Howe to Miss Mary Hendrickson. The ceremony took place in the dining room, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
John Armstrong operated the café from 1906 onward. In 1907, he leased the Challenge Hotel as well. One of his first obligations was to raise the hotel building to the established grade and add a cement walk in front of the building. He also invested considerable money to repair and renovate the interior of the hotel.
The hotel went up for sale in 1909 and was purchased by Charles Battles.
The hotel, like many places in Bemidji, had its excitement too. In November 1911, E. A. Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge of assault, but “insisted George Meirstadt, whom he assaulted, had it coming to him because he insulted the waitresses at the Challenge Hotel” Both men were boarders at the hotel. Hewitt said that Hewitt arrived late for supper and complained because the food was cold. He began to abuse the dining room girls. Hewitt was sitting in an adjoining room and overheard the conversation. Feeling that he could not ignore what was happening, he took Meirstadt to task, whereupon Meirstadt invited Hewitt outside. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, “This invitation was not accepted but instead Hewitt hit Meirstadt three times in the face.” Hewitt’s arrest followed with Meirstadt as the complaining witness. Hewitt was fined $5 plus costs and was let go.
A few days later, Mrs. Alma Smith, proprietor of the Challenge Hotel, took exception to the story told the judge in municipal court by Mr. Hewitt. Mrs. Smith says this could not have been true because there were no women around at the time of the quarrel which did not take place until 9 p. m., and that the trouble resulted from an argument over a lever.
In the summer of 1914, C. E. Battles gave a contract to Tom Smart to excavate a basement for the hotel. He converted the building to a hardware store in 1917.
In June 1918, C. E. Battles hired workers to put a new brick front on the Battles Hardware store. He sold the business to C.W. Richards and George B. Mueller on Mar 1, 1924, and it became the Beltrami Hardware.
Beltrami Hardware celebrated 40 years in business with an anniversary celebration on April 10, 1964. The business was purchased in 1960 by Jack Mueller, Geo. Mueller’s son. Ness purchased Mueller’s Hardware about 1968. Renamed Ness OK Hardware. Marvin Thayer managed the Gambles Hardware at this location in 1976.
The building currently (2025) houses Twice But Nice, a local consignment shop.