The Pioneer newspaper, Bemidji - Minnesota: Brief History and Archive

• The Bemidji Pioneer was a daily newspaper serving the city of Bemidji, Minnesota and the surrounding area, now published twice a week.
• The paper was founded in 1896 and is currently owned by Forum Communications Company.
• The Pioneer covers news and events in the Bemidji area, as well as providing advertising and other services to its readers.
• You can browse the The Pioneer online newspaper archive: over 46,000 searchable pages from 1903–1977.

The Bemidji Pioneer is a local newspaper for people living in Bemidji, Minnesota and the areas around it. The paper was founded in 1896 and is currently owned by Forum Communications Company.

The Bemidji Pioneer has a long and storied history, having been founded just a few years after the city itself was incorporated. The paper has changed hands several times over the years, but it has always remained true to its roots as a community-focused news source. Today, the Pioneer continues to serve the people of Bemidji and the surrounding area with quality journalism and insightful reporting.

The Pioneer covers news and events in the Bemidji area, as well as providing advertising and other services to its readers.

The Early Years

The Pioneer was founded in 1896 by John P. Miller, who served as its first editor and publisher. The paper was originally published weekly, on Thursdays. In its early years, The Pioneer was known for its opposition to government corruption and its support for the Temperance movement.

The paper changed hands several times in its early years, before being bought by Charles W. Nash in 1899. Nash owned the paper for over 20 years, during which time it became a daily publication. In 1922, Nash sold The Pioneer to Walter J. Mitchell, who would go on to own and operate the paper for nearly 40 years. Mitchell expanded the paper's coverage area beyond Bemidji, and also increased its focus on local news.

Over the Years

The Pioneer was sold again in 1961, this time to Wesley Murchison. Murchison owned the paper for less than a year before selling it to Robert J. Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons owned and operated The Pioneer until his death in 1992. His son, Mark Fitzsimmons, then took over ownership of the paper. Mark Fitzsimmons sold The Pioneer to Forum Communications Company in 1996. Forum Communications still owns and operates The Pioneer today.

The Pioneer newspaper moved to a new location in May 2020. The newspaper is now published twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.It remains an important part of life in northern Minnesota and is one of the longest-running newspapers in Minnesota history.