General Info
Beltrami County was named in honor of Giacomo Costantino Beltrami, an Italian explorer who founded the most northern sources of the Mississippi river. Beltrami County was established on February 28, 1866. Bemidji was named county seat thirty years later in 1896. Beltrami County’s area included about two-thirds of the southern part of the county as well as part of present day Clearwater County. Settlers were attracted to the abundance of timber in the area. The lumber industry was very influential in the county until its decline in the mid 1900s when agriculture took over as the top industry. In 1900 the population of Beltrami County had reached 11,030 residents. Beltrami County is a big tourist destination today because of the high amounts of lakes, recreational activities, history and rich heritage in the area. Today Beltrami County is home to approximately 43,835 residents.
