Bemidji, the First City on the Mississippi, is a historically
charming, progressive and beautiful city. The Bemidji area offers
the finest in shopping, education, medical care and government
services. With over 400 lakes in a 25 mile radius, we have some
of the best recreation in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Activities
include fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, snowmobiling and many
others.
 Bemidji is taken from the Ojibwe name Bay-may-ji-ga-maug, means "a
lake with crossing waters." Settled in the late 1800's, Bemidji
became an important commercial center by the turn of the century.
Bemidji has 30 manufacturing establishments. The principal products
manufactured in the Bemidji area include lumber, and wood products
including plywood and hardboard, machining, steel culverts, computer
components, woolens, concrete blocks, garage doors, signs, printing,
wood furnaces, and fishing tackle. Forestry, education, government
services, and the travel industry contribute greatly to the area's
economy.
Major highways include U.S. Highway 71 north and south and U.S.
Highway 2 east and west. Several truck lines provide freight service.
Greyhound Bus Lines provides passenger service. Mesaba/Northwest
Airlines provides daily flights to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Educational facilities include Bemidji State University,Northwest
Technical College and Oak Hills Christian College.
 Many people think of Paul Bunyan when they think of Bemidji and
the lakes area. Legend has it that he is the greatest outdoorsman
who ever lived. This legendary superman and woodsman, hero of the
early logging days, was born in Bemidji, Minnesota. The actual
site of his birth is marked today by giant statues of both Paul
Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, standing on the shoreline of Lake
Bemidji.
He was the hero of a series of "tall tales" popular
through the timber country. Paul Bunyan was known for his fantastic
strength and gigantic size. He is said to have ruled his large
lumber camp between the winter of the blue snow and the spring
that came up from China.
This is a favorite spot for locals and visitors to take pictures
and to gather.
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