Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bishop's Department Store

— Park Rapids History Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

1. Bishop's Department Store Marker

Inscription. Bishop's Department Store was a fixture in Park Rapids for over 70 years, supplying everything a person could need for their home but also special clothing and gear for tourists. Two large additions were built in 1968. Real estate office owners have maintained the beautiful wood floors.

Erected by City of Park Rapids, Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 46° 55.316′ N, 95° 3.613′ W. Marker is in Park Rapids, Minnesota, in Hubbard County. It is at the intersection of Main Avenue South and 1st Avenue West (Minnesota Route 34), on the right when traveling south on Main Avenue South. The marker is between the two entrances at Coldwell Banker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Main Avenue S, Park Rapids MN 56470, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Park Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Fuller's Tackle Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); This Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Rapids Public Library (about 400 feet away); Auditorium (about 500 feet away);

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Park Rapids Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tourism (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rice Flour Mill Grindstones (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park Rapids.

Also see . . . Bishop's Department Store. Park Rapids History Trail

Bishop's Department Store occupied this site in downtown Park Rapids for over seventy years, but it was not the first department store on this corner of downtown. Before Bishop's McClaran's Department Store occupied the site. It was acquired in 1928 by Harold N. Bishop when it went bankrupt. Bishop was so impressed by Park Rapids that he went on to open his own store in the same small building.

In the early days of the store, Bishop's sold nearly everything, including groceries. As supermarkets developed, Harold Bishop replaced the grocery department with more clothing and home goods. Disaster struck in 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, when the store burned to the ground. Bishop was able to rebuild on the same site, using salvaged materials brought from the Twin Cities...

Bishop's closed in 2001, but the building remains an important anchor in downtown Park Rapids.

(Submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Bishop's Department Store Marker above the bench on the post between the two entrances image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2025

2. Bishop's Department Store Marker above the bench on the post between the two entrances

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.