Depressions still mark the foundations of some buildings. The largest building of the town, the Summit Hotel -- where J.W.Speelman maintained that the rainwater from one side of his roof flowed down to the Mississippi and the water from the other side ran into Hudson Bay -- has been gone for over half a century. Main Street with its dirt and ruts is now Beltrami 15, paved with a dividing stripe down the middle. Drivers hurry by not knowing, perhaps not caring, about the memories the townsite holds.
Lake Julia and Little Turtle Lake are now residential lakes with both year-round and seasonal residents. Lake Julia, with its state water access, still attracts fishermen, but everyone except the inveterate boosters knows the fishing is not as good as it was thirty years ago. It is still one of the beautiful lakes of the area, very deep and cold. In the spring, when the water is like crystal, if you are near the old saw mill, you can look down and see logs that sank a hundred years ago. In the winter you can snowshoe along the trails and out onto the lakes, onto ice deep enough to hold a locomotive. It can be so quiet that in the frozen woods you can almost believe that time has frozen too.
Over the century, Buena Vista has changed. There is still activity, though of a different kind from that of the old days. Instead of the Summit Hotel, the dominating feature of modern Buena Vista is the Ski Hill, and clustered below are the Chalet, the Lumberjack Hall of Fame, and the little town put up by Earle Dickinson with its church and other buildings. There is still a lot going on at Buena Vista and in the surrounding area.
Covered Wagon tours of the Divide and the old Buena Vista townsite can be arranged for parties who are interested. Tours start at the Lumberjack Hall of Fame, Buena Vista Ski Hill, 12 miles north of Bemidji on County Highway 15. Rides to the top of the ridge last about 45 minutes. For more information call 218-243-2231 or 243-2333. Enquire about the cost of tickets.
Some diners preferred the quiet of the tables by the windows.
The first posted material tells something of Beltrami and something of Buena Vista, with a diagram of the old town. Pictures of various buildings in Buena Vista are posted. On the back of the board are pictures of some of the early citizens of Buena Vista and the Turtle Lake area. Anyone with early pictures of their families and homes is urged to contact Madeline and Bill Sutherland who would like to come by and scan them for the board. No original photos are pinned on the board.
Call 218-243-2250 for details of dates and prices for the clinics held in 2003.
The THH Clinic is an information packed three-day learning experience. The program includes round pen training, join up philosophy. beginning horse language 101, ground exercises, establishing respect, long lining, saddle fitting, obstacles, trail etiquette, safety tips, equipment, trail riding, and more. Any rider at any level can benefit from this clinic!
"All of our clinics are based on the partnership concept and designed to educate both horse and rider."
Once registered, each particpant fills out a profile sheet. Each clinic is then specifically designed around the needs of the participants.
Cost:Call 218-243-2250
Plus: Riders received one free auditor ticket
Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Auditor positions: for the whole weekend
Deposit: (non-refundable unless a replacement is found)
All participants sign a liability waiver. Helmets recommended
Clinic is limited to only eight participants to allow for an optimum learning environment.
2003 is the third year for the clinics at Buena Vista. All have been fully subscribed.
