Bemidji in Beltrami County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Beltrami County
Historical Facts
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2023
1. Beltrami County Marker
Beltrami County was established by an act of the state legislature on Feb. 28, 1866. The new county extended from a line drawn west from Lake Itasca to a north/south line between Cass Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish. The northern border went through Upper Red Lake. The western border was on a line running through Ebro.
The first post office in Beltrami County was established at Red Lake in 1875.
The first homesteader in Beltrami County was Joachim Cyr at Little Turtle Lake in 1877.
In 1879 Beltrami County was extended to the Canadian border making the county 153 miles long and 54 miles wide.
Bemidji became the county seat in 1897 after edging out a strong contender in Buena Vista.
The Beaux Arts-inspired, brick-and-stone courthouse with a domed tower, designed by Kinney and Detweiler, built in 1902 has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 26, 1988.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 28, 1866.
Location. 47° 28.455′ N, 94° 53.046′ W. Marker is in Bemidji, Minnesota, in Beltrami County. It is on America Avenue Northwest just north of 6th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beltrami County History (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carnegie Library (approx. Ό mile away); First Reserve Unit in the United States Called into Active Service in World War I (approx. Ό mile away); Shaynowishkung (approx. Ό mile away); Leader & Peacemaker (approx. Ό mile away); Promises Made, Promises Broken (approx. Ό mile away); Tragedy and Survival (approx. Ό mile away); Paul Bunyan and Babe (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bemidji.
Also see . . . Beltrami County, Minnesota (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The county's name comes from Italian adventurer Giacomo Beltrami from Bergamo, who explored the area in 1825. Portions of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations are in the county. The northernmost portion of the Mississippi River flows through the southern part of the county, through Bemidji.(Submitted on December 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2023
2. Beltrami County Marker
The marker is beside the sidewalk on the west side of the Beltrami County Community Services Center.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2023
3. Beltrami County Community Services Center
The marker is visible along the sidewalk on the far left.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2012
4. Beltrami County Courthouse
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2012
5. Beltrami County Courthouse (entrance)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2012
6. Beltrami County Courthouse Dome
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
