Masonic Block, Block 11, Lot 1, Original Townsite
The Masonic Block, built at the corner of Fifth & Beltrami Ave., was one of four handsome new stone and brick buildings completed in 1905. It was located just north of the Swedback block at 423 Beltrami Avenue. The final construction cost was $8000.
The Crookston Lumber Company maintained a Reading Room on the first floor of the Masonic block from its beginning until at least 1921.
In March 1906, the reading room of the Crookston Lumber Company in the Masonic block was used for the examination of twelve potential mail carriers. The tests started in the morning and continued until late in the afternoon. Those of Bemidji who tried for places as carriers were: Sergeant Adam E. Otto, Harry Geil, Hollie Barrett, J. C. Cobb, Lee Heffron, Aakeberg, W. H. Elletson, George Harris and Arthur Gould.
The Knights of Pythias held many of their meetings and events at Castle Hall at the Masonic Block. They had a splendid public installations, a banquet and ball on January 1, 1907. The meeting started at the Masonic block, then adjourned to the Markham Hotel for a banquet, and then the floor of the lodge room at the Masonic Block was cleared and dancing continued until the wee hours. Cards and other games were set up on the first floor for those who chose not to participate in the dancing.
Turkish bath rooms were located in the basement rooms of the Masonic Block. D. C. Smyth was the proprietor in December 1907, and Prof. J. G. Philips was in charge. In Jan 1908, Miss Blanche Paddock, professional masseuse, was in attendance at the bath parlors in the Masonic block. Plain showers and turkish baths, hair dressing and manicuring were offered on Thursday afternoon of each week and times were set aside for Ladies’ Day from 2 o’clock until 10 o’clock p.m. at the Masonic building by the proprietor, D. C. Smyth. Mrs. Frost, who also was associated with the baths, had to leave for her old home at Dassel after her father was injured in an accident.
In July 1908, Prof. W. B. Ford was again in charge of the turkish bath work at the bath parlors in the Masonic building, and announced that he would be pleased to serve his old time friends and patrons. In 1909, these rooms had Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Frost as attendants. They advertised tub and shower baths, ladies shampoo and hair dressing day and night. (Sept 4, 1909) I did not find any further ads for the baths after 1910.
In 1912, the A. F. & A. M. Bemidji, 233, held their regular meeting nights on the first and third Wednesdays, 8 o’clock at Masonic Hall.
The Bemidji Chapter No. 70, R.A.M. had their convocations on the first and third Mondays at 8 o’clock p.m. at the Masonic Hall.
Elkanah Commandery No. 30 K. T. had its stated conclave on the second and fourth Fridays, 8 o’clock p.m. at Masonic Temple, Beltrami Ave. and Fifth St.
The O. E. S. Chapter No. 171, had their regular meeting nights on the first and third Fridays, 8 o’clock at Masonic Hall, Beltrami Ave., and Fifth St.
Retail clerks of the city met in the Crookston Reading Room and organized a new association in September 1913. Scott Stewart acted as temporary chairman.
The community Christmas tree in 1916 was erected at the Masonic temple corner, and the work of getting the monarch of the north woods wired for lighting and put up was being pushed with all speed. The Queen Esthers, with Miss Elsie Schmitt, president of the society, and her assistants devoted much time and energy to the promotion of the Christmas celebration. (Dec 22, 1916)
The Fourth Minnesota Infantry that was stationed in Bemidji during World War I was first quartered in the Crookston Reading room of the Masonic Block. The Fourth was represented as protection for the big industrial interests of the city, the state paying part of the expense for salaries and the industries paying a portion. They were first quartered in the Crookston reading room and later shifted to the hotel at the southeast corner of Third Street and Minnesota avenue. Soon after a house was erected on the lake front for additional sleeping quarters, the lumber furnished by the Crookston Lumber company. The unit was demobilized in December 1918.
In July 1920, the Bemidji Pioneer moved to its new quarters in the Masonic block. Due to the necessity of dismantling the large paper press, the Pioneer had to reduce the size of its paper for a few days.
After the high school was destroyed by fire in January 1921, classes were held in the Masonic hall and the Crookston reading room. The manual training classes for the senior high school were held in the Crookston reading rooms starting in the fall of 1921.
This building became the home of the Bemidji Pioneer from 1920 to 1975. Then it became the site of Quistgard’s Hallmark Shop.