Earle Barker came to Bemidji in 1900. He started business as a jeweler and watch repairer in 1900, and in June of 1903 purchased the Mayo Drug Store. Earle Barker’s Drug Store was at 213 Third Street in 1904. In 1907, the Barker block was built. The newspaper reported periodically on the progress.
“The Barker block will be of solid brick, one story high, 100 feet long by 25 feet wide, with a basement running the entire length of the building.” (Oct 5, 1907)
“The work on the new Barker block is progressing very nicely, under the supervision of G. E. Kreatz. This building will be one of the finest-appearing blocks in the city, and being located in the business center, will add to the solid appearance of the main street. The new block will be finished in white. The bricks being used are called sand lime, and they will be faced with white stone. The front will also contain very heavy plate glass, and there will be two of the finest show windows to be found in the northwest. Contractor Kreatz expects to have the block ready for occupancy in time for Mr. Barker to make an
elegant display of holiday goods in the spacious windows of his new location.” (Nov 2, 1907)
For the next years, there wasn’t much mentioned about the block itself, although a great deal of attention was paid by the local newspaper on the military career of Lieutenant Earle Barker. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and headed Bemidji’s Naval Militia, which was the first contingent of Bemidji men to leave for service on April 17, 1917.
In 1920, Dr. G. M. Palmer, Dentist & Orthodontist; Drs. Marcum & McAdory, Physicians & Surgeons were occupants in the Barker Block.
In late 1921, a new Barker block was built west of the original block at 217 Third Street. Otto Johnson of Bismarck and Carl Johnson of Grand Forks, N. D. opened a ladies’ ready-to-wear establishment on the main floor of the new building. The upper story of the new block was furnished for office purposes.
In June 1922, Earle A. Barker advertised that Barkers was opening a rest room and beauty parlor in the basement. He also advertised the presence of a trained attendant for the children, free stationery, free telephones, free reading material and a phonograph for the entertainment of those resting. In the store he provided use of a free weighing machine, free telephone service and a Sanitary Stamp Vending Machine.
Earle Barker sold Barker’s Rexall Drug Store in 1940 to Buck Buchanan and H. Arthur Vanderby. The drug store was sold once again in 1954, and August Ulrich opened the Bemidji Pharmacy in 1955. In April 1956, he announced the establishment of Just a Little Drug Store in the same setting and operated it until his retirement in 1974.
Oscar Erwig and his daughter Martha purchased the jewelry department of Barker’s, a separate part of the block in 1944. Martha was crowned Miss Bemidji Pioneer in 1925. She worked with her father at the Barker Drug and Jewelry Store until her marriage on Jan 3, 1929 in Bemidji to Lawrence “Hap” Lindman. They then became partners in Lindman Jewelry Store, which they operated until retiring in 1976.
Dr. Groschupf and Dr. McCann’s offices were located upstairs in 1942. Drs. Garlock, Marcum, and Groschupf had their offices upstairs in 1946. This is where I had my tonsils removed. No hospital stay – but in the doctor’s office. Did the stairs really creak? The way I remember it, they did! Dr. Groschupf was our family doctor, and although his office was at Barker’s, he made home visits. I remember him visiting our home several times when I had bronchitis and was enclosed in a steam tent. (1946)