History
The Beltrami Historical Society was founded in 1952, adjacent to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in downtown Bemidji, next to the famous statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Here, the BCHS operated a museum, offered research assistance and pursued its mission of preserving Beltrami County history for more than twenty years. In 1993, the BCHS moved to a building located at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds and operated as a research center with no exhibit space, or museum. In 1999, a collaborative vision to bring the BCHS and museum back to downtown Bemidji became a community-wide priority. Minnesota State legislative appropriations, investments by local units of government, area businesses and countless individuals achieved an ambitions goal of restoring the James J. Hill railroad depot. The exterior of the depot has been fully restored, and while maintaining the historical integrity of the interior, it was rehabilitated for adaptive reuse and opened as the new Beltrami County History Center, at 130 Minnesota Ave. SW Bemidji, MN on April 30, 2001.
The Depot is a one story, hipped roof, brick and limestone structure with arched windows and wide eaves influenced by the Arts and Crafts era of Architectural design. The facades consist of a stone water table, a narrow band of common bond brick, a stone string course that follows the line of the window sills, an expanse of smaller Flemish bond brick enclosing the window zone and wide overhanging eaves supported by exposed, wooden rafters in the Craftsman manner. It is a neoclassical architectural design determined by the arched windows, doors and facade treatment. It includes a floor area of approximately 7,000 square feet with a roof that covers more than 10,000 square feet. The building design, while more common in depot construction across the country, is now rare in this area and was the last depot building built by “empire builder” James J. Hill. This depot is associated with the two statewide historic developments, both of which took place between the 1870s and 1920s: the Agricultural Development and Railroad Construction Era and Northern Minnesota Lumbering. On May 26, 1988, the depot was “deemed worthy of preservation” and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a result, all restoration and renovation was in compliance with Historic Trust guidelines.
The schematic design of the three-gallery museum encompasses the main passenger area of the depot. This strategy kept the two waiting areas (separate for men and women) and telegrapher office in tact for use as the museum. The existing baggage area was designed to accommodate the reception/information area and museum gift shop, while the express office and part of the freight area became the public restrooms, research library and director’s office. Included in this area is a meeting room with a seating capacity of 30. The remaining portion of the freight, and a newly constructed mezzanine, became the public archives exhibit area and archival storage. An existing live track borders the south side of the depot, while an inactive house track on the north side remains available for future rolling stock. The City of Bemidji has retained ownership of the depot and as a tenant, the BCHS leases it annually.
The Great Northern Depot site is part of a core group of railway properties that were identified as prime historic properties important to future investment, restoration and rehabilitation projects in a Bemidji downtown revitalization plan. The building and site together provide both a focus and powerful potential catalyst for historic economic improvements at the south end of downtown. The restored depot will also encourage visitor movement into the downtown business and retail area, thus supporting and contributing to the economic health and growth of this community and future viability of the Beltrami County History Center.
Historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Beltrami County:
Great Northern Depot
Beltrami County Courthouse: Beaux Arts-inspired, brick-and-stone courthouse with domed tower, designed by Kinney and Detweiler and built in 1902.
Bemidji Carnegie Library: Classical Revival brick library with limestone trim, designed by Fargo architect W.D. Gillespie and built in 1909.
Buena Vista Archaeological Historic District: Site of late 19th century logging town, remains of William Maher Sawmill, and standing 1898 schoolhouse.
District No. 132 School: Classical Revival frame school designed by local contractors and built ca. 1915.
Lake Bemidji State Park CCC/NYA/Rustic Style Historic Resources: Log recreational facilities constructed by 1937-39 by NYA workers.
Nymore Bridge: Large barrel-vault, reinforced concrete bridge built in 1917 using patented reinforcing system.
David and Wanda Park House: Modern style residence designed by Edward K. Mahlum and built in 1936.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: Colossal roadside statues of mythical giant lumberjack and companion, erected in 1937-38 to stimulate tourism.
Rabideau CCC Camp: One of two surviving CCC camps in Minnesota, constructed in 1935-41.
Saum Schools: One room log school (1903) and two story frame schoolhouse (1912) built as one of Minnesota’s first consolidated schools.
A driving map to view these sites is available at the museum!
