The building now known as The 4th Street Lodge traces its roots back to 1916 when it was first constructed to house Bemidji’s Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (The Lodge #1052) fraternal organization. The lodge was laid out to have meeting space on the 2nd floor given that liquor laws at the time required organizations serving liquor to be a “club” and also be located outside of street view so that women and children walking by couldn’t look in the windows and see drinking.
For over 100 years in the city of Bemidji, the The Elks membership has been a who’s who of various city leaders and their lodge a central hub for community traditions, events and social gatherings of all kinds, and just having a good time.
In 2023, the Elks sold their building at the corner of Beltrami Avenue and 4th Street to local developers. While the Bemidji Elks continues their long-standing commitment to community volunteerism, the 4th Street Lodge carries on their building’s legacy of bringing people together and having a good time through its shops, restaurants, 4 unit boutique hotel, and events space.
Interested in learning more about our building’s storied history and bright future? Check out the following articles from the Bemidji Pioneer!
Work Begins on Renovating Historic Elks Lodge Building in Downtown Bemidji (February 21, 2024)
Fourth Street Lodge Project Nearing Completion in Downtown Bemidji (September 25, 2024)
