Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 27, 1909, Page 14

BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA. GLIMPSE OF THE CITY PARK. BRIEF HISTORY OF BEMIDJI. There comes a time in the history of every young city when an enthusiastic and spontaneous forward movement on the part of its citizens becomes necessary in order that the attractions and advantages, indus- trial and commercial alike, lying dormant for want of proper publicity, may become known abroad. This condition of affairs having come to yass in Bemidji, this Souvenir Edition of The Pioneer was inspired in the hope that it may in fullest measure, accomplish all that the enterprising and astute citizens of he beautiful city of the lakes could de- sire, in making known to the outside world the real conditions, economical, industrial and educational, as they exist in Bemidji oday, to the end that new capital, new in- dustries and new homeseekers may be at- iracted to our city to aid us in developing our limitless resources and thus add to our yrogress and prosperity as well as their OWM. The prediction that this city is certain to become within a few years, one of the most important commercial and industrial centers in the state is not based on mis- directed zeal and unthinking enthusiasm, but rather on the solid groundwork of manifest promise. The city has now outgrown its element- ary stage and advanced to a position of prominence that places it in the category of the leading and most progressive cities of the state. CITY WELL GOVERNED. Bemidji is well governed, and adequate- ly protected in the maintenance and equipment of both the police and fire de- partments, which for general efficiency are vnsurpassed by cities of much greater size nd population. The opportunities and advantages offered here to investors or manufacturers as well as a number of jobbing lines, should not be passed over lightly. No section of the Northwest today presents greater induce- ments than Bemidji to anyone seeking a lo- ciation for either hard or soft wood manu- faeturing plants. The raw material is here in limitless gquantities, and so will continue for many years to come. The recently organized Business Men’s Association had for its prime object in so organizing the promoting and encourage- ment of new industries to locate in this city. Every leading business and profes- sional man in the city who has the city’s welfare &t heart, is a member of this or- ganization, and the secretary is ready to furnish full information to any one prop- erly interested, as to the inducements which are offered, available sites for fac- tories, and any other necessary details. A BEAUTIFUL SITUATION. The city is charmingly situated on the shores of two beautiful and picturesque Lodies of water, the larger, Lake Bemidji, being something over six miles long and from two to three miles wide; it borders the eastern edge of the city extending north and south. On its beautifully wood- ed banks, which rise abruptly some fifty feet from the water's edge, is the lake shore boulevard, forming a most delight- ful drive in summer, and one which is cool- ing and exhilirating. Adjacent to the boulevard are situated some of the most elegant and substantial homes in the city, and the immediate vicinity is regarded as the most desirable residential section of Bemidji, reproductions of which are to be herein observed, although other sections as well, possess numerous fine dwellings. Lake Irvine skirts the southern’ boundary of the city and is about one mile in di- ameter, presenting an almost complete circle. The social, religious, educational and charitable features of this city, notice of which is to be found in another column, are epitomized in necessarily brief form, and it may be added in passing, that an atmosphere of wholesome religious senti- SORCR o~ ment pervades the dominant element in this community, as indicated by the Be- midji Bible Conference, which annually holds its sessions here! The school curri- culum and advantages, grade for grade, will compare most creditably with any in the state, as proved by the recent election, allotting $35,000.00 for the construction ot a new high school building. AN IDEAL SUMMER RESORT. As a summer and health resort, Be- midji stands pre-eminent. The summer sojourner will find ready at hand an al- most infinite variety of inexpensive ways and means with which to while away the “hours of the long summer day, and the de- votee of rod and reel and the chase could scarcely choose a more inviting point than that offered by Bemidji. The expert angler has a number of lakes and streams in which to indulge his fav- orite sport, each abounding with a variety of the gamy members of the finny tribe. In the hunting season the habitat of a con- siderable range of wild game, large and small, from the moose and deer to the fox and smaller fur-bearing animals, may be invaded by trips to the neighboring for- ests, and the feathered game, common to this latitude, are always plentiful in sea- son. : Every hamlet, village or town through- out the country has possessed or presented some one or more attractive features to the first white visitor to the locality. INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE. Bemidji was incorporated as a village May 20, 1896. The first meeting of the village council, of record, was held Aug 24, 1896, at which date Fred N. Malzahn was president of the village council: Ed. ward Kaiser, recorder, and George Mec- Taggart, G. E. Carson and Guy Remore, trustees. The motive that prompted the first white man to settle in Bemidji was, that it was a