Bemidji State Football

Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox Babe stand along the shore of Lake Bemidji near the Tourist Information Center. Built in 1937 for the Winter Water Carnival, the Eastman Kodak company recognized Paul & Babe as the second most photographed icon in the nation.

BSUBEAVERS.COM • 2013 Bemidji State Football

The Bemidji area is home to a population of more than 30,000 and includes the examples of a steel-reinforced concrete bridge. At the southern end of Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red Lake Indian Reservations, and , Avenue lies the Great Northern Depot, completed in 1913. On the Historic Register, the headwaters to the . The City of Bemidji provides a focus for the Depot is the last early 20th century railroad building left in its original condition. educational, business, and medical services. Recreational and cultural activities The Commercial Building on Third Street, built in 1910, is cited in the Architecture reflect a multicultural heritage that includes American Indian, European and Canadian of Minnesota Guide as a successful prairie-style solution for a single-story building. influences. Bemidji is a “golden city” along the river’s bank, only miles from where the mighty Other examples of historic architecture include the Beltrami County Courthouse Mississippi River begins its 2,552 mile journey to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico, built in 1902. Across the street you’ll find the 1917 Colonial Revival-style former Post a city at the center of the legends of and Babe the Blue Ox. Office. Bemidji’s natural beauty and bounty as a meeting or group tour destination is Perhaps Bemidji’s best-known historic district is the eight-block section of Lake also enhanced with historic character. From world renown statues and architecture Boulevard. Once known as Bemidji’s “Gold Coast,” among the many venerable listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to ancient earth mounds and burial homes to be viewed is the Dr. Johnson House built in 1910 with a showcase garden. grounds, the past takes an interesting turn in Bemidji. The Bacon House was also built in 1910, later used for a Catholic convent. An Bemidji’s waterfront is home to the world-famous statues of Paul Bunyan and unusual log structure, the Fisk House was reconstructed log-by-log at the present Babe the Blue Ox listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Nearby is Bemidji’s site. Judge Fisk enjoyed entertaining many distinguished guests, including writer F. Tourist Information Center. In addition to Paul Bunyan memorabilia, The Bunyan Scott Fitzgerald. Further along you’ll find Warfield House, the 1912 home of the man House features the Fireplace of States built with stones from every state in the U.S. who built Bemidji’s electric light plant. and Canadian provinces. Two lady teachers resided at the 1930s Parker & Mangelsdorf House, also known To the north, you’ll encounter Library Park and the statue of Bemidji’s founding for its large, informal gardens. Chief Bemidji, as well as the Community Arts Center in the Carnegie Building, also on Birchmont Drive displays two art deco classics built in 1937, one with a the National Register. semicircular glass projection, is located at Bemidji State University, the only lakeshore At the south end of Lake Bemidji is Nymore Beach, site of the Crookston Lumber campus in the state with architecture dating back to 1919. Co. The burning of the mill in 1924 marked the end of the county’s logging era. Located about midway between Minneapolis/St. Paul to the south and Winnipeg, On the way into Bemidji, you may cross over the historic Mississippi River Bridge, Canada to the north, Bemidji has easy access by air, motor carrier, and automobile to built in 1916. This structure is listed on the National Register as one of the earliest metropolitan areas and international airports.

The ninth hole at the Bemidji Town and Country Club offers a breath-taking view of Lake Bemidji and the surrounding area.

BSUBEAVERS.COM • 2013