David Park House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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David Park House
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The David Park House viewed from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1501 Birchmont Drive, Bemidji, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1936–37 |
| Built by | Adolph C. Nasvick |
| Architect | Edward K. Mahlum |
| Architectural style | Streamline Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000566 |
| Designated | May 16, 1988 |
The David Park House is a historic building located in Bemidji, Minnesota. It was built between 1936 and 1937. The house is a great example of the Streamline Moderne style, which was popular back then. This style uses smooth, curved shapes and long, horizontal lines, making buildings look like they are moving fast, like a train or a ship.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's an important building because of its unique architecture. It's one of the best examples of a home built in the Streamline Moderne style in Minnesota. Since 1992, the David Park House has been used as offices for the Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation.
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Building a Unique Home in Bemidji
The David Park House was built for the Park family in 1936 and 1937. A young architect named Edward Mahlum designed it. The house was built in a quiet, undeveloped area of Bemidji. This area was chosen because it was across from one of the first buildings of the Bemidji State Teachers College.
Choosing the Architect and Builder
David Park owned a very successful business called the David Park Creamery. He had promised his wife, Edna, that he would build her a beautiful home. In 1933, he visited the Century of Progress fair in Chicago. This fair showed off many new and exciting designs, including Art Deco styles. These designs likely inspired him to choose Edward K. Mahlum as his architect. A local builder named Adolph Nasvik constructed the house. Nasvik was so impressed that he later built a similar house right next door!
Special Features of the House
The David Park House is famous for its unusual and beautiful design. If you look at it from above, it seems to be shaped like a piano. This house was built using poured concrete, which was very rare at the time. Most homes in northern Minnesota were made of wood. One of the most amazing parts of the house was a three-story brass railing. This railing was on the curved staircase and had to be put in very early during construction.
Life in the David Park House
David and Edna Park moved into their new home in late 1937. Sadly, Edna passed away in 1941. David Park later married Wanda Hartman Batchelder in 1944.
Fun Times and a Pet Monkey!
The children in the neighborhood loved the house. Every Christmas, one of the Park grandchildren got to choose the colors for a huge Christmas tree. This tree was placed in the front window for everyone to see. One year, it was a white tree with orange lights! Another year, it was a purple tree with white lights. Visitors and locals were also amazed by one of the family's special pets: Megaw, their pet monkey.
Famous Guests and Current Use
David Park was very proud of his unique home. His daughters remembered that he often invited guests to tour the house. He loved to entertain. One of his most famous guests was Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. When she visited Bemidji in 1955, David Park quickly organized a reception for her at his house.
Park lived in the home until he passed away in 1977. In 1992, Wanda Park gave the house to the Bemidji State University Foundation. The building was carefully updated, but workers made sure to keep its original look and style. Today, it holds the offices for the university's Foundation and its alumni association.
