The west side of America Avenue was residential but also offered lodgings over the years. The first residents that we know of are Anton and Kate Aller who ran the Bemidji Hotel on Third Street very early in Bemidji and resumed ownership in 1904. The hotel burned in January 1906. Mrs. Aller, on behalf of her husband’s estate, then sold the lot to Fitger Brewing Company which erected a new two-story brick building on the lot in 1906.
William P. Barnes and Miss Annie Aller, daughter of Kate Aller, were married in St. Philip’s Catholic Church May 14, 1910. The young people made their home at the Aller residence on the corner of Fourth Street and America Avenue. Mrs. Kate Aller, and William Barnes lived at this address from about 1910 until about 1920.
This was the residence of Duncan and Elsie McDougal in 1920. Elsie McDougal ran a boarding house at this address, while Kate Aller moved in with her daughter and the Barnes family who lived next door at 315 America Avenue. The house was up for sale in May of 1922. The Barnes and Aller families took over the boarding house again in 1922 and ran it until Katherine Aller died on Sept 4, 1930 at the age of 65. The Barnes family moved to Washington, D. C.
The house was occupied by Charles Beard in 1931-32. Several of the lodgers in the 1930’s were Arthur Johnson, William Hedge, John J. Riley, and Cora Beckon. William Lefaive lived there from about 1939-42. Frank Dewey and his wife Manda lived here from about 1951 to 1970.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dewey were pleasantly surprised on a Saturday evening in 1962 when a group of neighbors and friends gathered at their home at 311 America Ave. to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey were married in Bemidji Feb. 28, 1912 and lived in Bemidji practically all of their married life. Mr. Dewey was engaged in the furniture business for many years. Mrs. Dewey died on July 11, 1969. Frank Dewey died unexpectedly at his home on March 5, 1973. He had been a resident of Bemidji for 66 years.
The building became Kirkvold’s in 1973 and Kirkvold’s Boarding house in 1975. It was Aultman’s Boarding home in 1980. It has continued as an apartment building.