The origins of Bemidji State University
Resting quietly beneath campus is a foundation of history-shaping groundwork. More than 100 years ago, Bemidjians fought diligently for the privilege of establishing a school in our town.
The fight for a school
Today, Bemidji State University is taken for granted. Been here forever, or so it seems. Today, most of the Bemidji townspeople have long forgotten or never even heard about.. well… “Cass Lake State University.”(?) Ahhhh, therein lies a most important tale of “What Might Have Been…”
![ArtLee_0051 ArtLee_0051](https://bsualumni.org/wp-content/uploads/ArtLee_0051.jpg)
Art Lee: When just one (unexpected) non-signature would enrich Bemidji
Bemidji won the new normal school in 1913, but not before a wild fight with many twists, turns, tensions and triumphs.
History comes to life
Time travel back to Bemidji State's journey across the 20th century through BSU's 1994 documentary "University in the Pines."
![](https://bsualumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/University-in-the-Pines-screenshot.jpg)
![History in the Pines logo History in the Pines logo](https://bsualumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/History-in-the-Pines-logo.png)