Named for a rapids on the Pelican River, Pelican Rapids is in northeastern Otter Tail County, in central-west Minnesota. The river cuts through the center of the city, forming a wide, lake-like appearance in the eastern part of the town. Several other bodies of water are within and nearby the city, including Prairie Lake, just north of Pelican Rapids. The main routes through the city are US Highway 59 and Minnesota Highway 108. Nearby localities include Dunvilla, Erhard, and Norwegian Grove. The first settlers who arrived in the area of Pelican Rapids came to establish trading posts for the British Northwest Company in 1868. A post office was established there in 1872. It wasn't long before homesteaders arrived. Pelican Rapids was founded near a trail that led from the Twin Cities area, about two hundred miles southeast, through St. Cloud and Alexandria, to the Fargo-Moorhead area, about forty-five miles northwest. A branch line of the railroad from Fergus Falls came through in 1882. Although the rail line was intended to continue north, but that never happened, and the railroad remained a branch terminus until it was removed a century later. Pelican Rapids was incorporated in 1883. Its economy was initially dependent on agriculture and farm products but, over the years, tourism and industry have played a role. Maplewood State Park, six miles east, bring tourists into town. In some downtown Pelican Rapid buildings, old storefronts can be found in the basement, as businesses moved upstairs to be level with the new street after the river-level road was raised. Although never a large city, the population of Pelican Rapids has generally increased since 1910, with more than a 25% increase in 2000. Cormorant Township, Dunn Township, Pelican Rapids Township, and Scambler Township are headquartered in Pelican Rapids, that being the nearest city with a post office.
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The official web site for the municipal government of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota offers a brief history and profile of the city, city officials, administrative contacts and office hours, council agendas and minutes, election information, and information about city services and facilities, schools, attractions, and events. Various reports and other documents are also available, and public notices are posted to the site.
http://www.pelicanrapids.com/
Situated in Becker County, Cormorant County is headquartered in Pelican Rapids. A profile of the township is presented, along with township board meeting notices and minutes, a community calendar, and administrative contacts. Volunteer opportunities are posted to the site, and information about its library and historical room is put forward. Its meeting room rental policies are put forth, and access to various reports, forms, and policy document are available for downloading in PDF format.
http://www.cormoranttownship.org/
Established in 1880, Dunn Township is in Otter Tail County, north of the city of Pelican Rapids, which the township uses as a post office. The official township web site posts township notices, along with a history and profile of the township. Township board members are identified, with contact information, board meeting schedules are posted, with meeting minutes. The town hall location is set forth, and various township documents are available for downloading from the site.
http://www.dunntownship.com/
Originally known as Ringsaker, for the many members in the congregation who were from the Ringsaker region of Norway, the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church was established in 1954. A history of the Pelican Rapids, Minnesota church is given, with an overview of its beliefs and practices. Its Sunday service schedules are posted, along with a calendar of upcoming fellowship and Bible study programs and outreach activities, volunteer mission opportunities, and staff contacts.
http://www.faithlutheranpelicanrapids.com/
Work toward establishing the Pelican Rapids, Minnesota congregation began in 1870, and it first pastor arrived in 1872, and a log church was built, and the congregation joined the Norwegian Synod in 1875, which is currently part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The church's history and a profile of the congregation is given, a new member brochure is available in PDF format, and staff contacts and office hours are included.
http://www.grovelakechurch.org/
Pelican Rapids Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a non-profit business organization made up of business owners, managers and others in the Pelican Rapids and western Otter Tail County, Minnesota region. Chamber bylaws, member benefits, and meeting schedules are posted, along with a history of the area, a calendar of events, and a guide to local attractions and events, hotels, motels and resorts, restaurants and businesses, churches, and civic organizations.
http://www.pelicanrapidschamber.com/
The Pelican Rapids, Minnesota library is part of the Viking Library System, which expands the access of the local library. Directions, hours of operation, and a calendar of events are posted to the site, along with library services, schedules, and meeting minutes, as well as online services, and information about its collections, research facilities, and new arrivals.
http://pelicanrapids.lib.mn.us/
Pelican Rapids School District 548
Offering a PK-12th grade curriculum through Viking Elementary School and Pelican Rapids High School, the public school system serves the Pelican Rapids, Minnesota region. An overview of the district and its schools is put forth, including its alternative learning center, a program within the campus of PRHS. District and school schedules, staff contacts, lunch menus, and policy information are included.
http://www.pelicanrapids.k12.mn.us/
Located in West Otter Tail County, Minnesota, the township is headquartered in Pelican Rapids. The official township web site offers a profile and demographics for the township, and its board members are identified. Board agendas and minutes are posted, along with a calendar of events, administrative contacts and office hours. Ordinances, election information, and access to various forms, report and other documents may be downloaded in PDF format.
http://www.pelicantownship.com/
The full service flower shop has been in business in downtown Pelican Rapids, Minnesota for more than twenty years, featuring locally grown flowers from Forget-Me-Not Flower Farm in Fergus Falls and Len Busch Roses, another Minnesota grower, and offering home delivery in the greater Pelican Rapids region. A catalog of flower arrangements and other products is put forth, and orders may be placed at the store, by telephone, or online, for local delivery.
http://www.riverviewplacefloral.com/
Organized in 1871, Scambler Township included Dunn Township until 1880 when it was organized as an individual body. Situated just north of the city of Pelican Rapids, township residents use the Pelican Rapids post office for their mail. The official township site includes fee schedules, town board agendas and minutes, ordinances, policies, resolutions and other documents, contacts for township officials, the location of the township hall, and office hours. A history of the township is included.
http://www.scamblertownship.com/
Reporting the news in the Pelican Rapids, Minnesota region since 1897, the Pelican Rapids Press is published weekly, offering local and regional news and sports stories, community events, and opinion columns, with full access requiring a subscription to either its electronic of print editions. Advertising opportunities, a calendar of local events, photo gallery, and information about its printing services are put forward.
https://pelicanrapidspress.com/
The Pelican Rapids, Minnesota congregation's roots go back to the late 1800s. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA), the congregation's beliefs, practices and mission are discussed, clergy and staff contacts and office hours are given, and an overview of its denominational relationship is given. Directions, Sunday and weekday schedules, a calendar of events, and a photo gallery are put forth.
http://www.pelicanrapidstrinity.org/
