Fergus Falls, Minnesota is the county seat of Otter Tail County. The falls for which the city was named were discovered by a Scottish trapper by the name of Joe Whitford in 1856, and named for his employer, James Fergus, who may never have visited the city. However, Whitford lived there until he was killed during the 1862 Dakota War. A few years later, George B. Wright purchased Whitford’s lapsed claim, and build the Central Dam that is now in downtown Fergus Falls around 1871. The city was incorporated in the late 1870s. Upon Wright’s death in 1882, his son Vernon came from Boston to Fergus Falls to take over his father’s interests, becoming one of the two people who established the Otter Tail Power Company in 1907. For much of the city’s history there was a strong division between the English and Scottish war veterans who built and maintained most of the city’s downtown businesses and the Scandinavian farmers who came later, but eventually intermarriage and outward migration erased these divisions. A small black community that was concentrated in the southeastern part of the city has gradually dwindled. With a few minor downward fluctuations, the city has gradually increased in population each census year since its population was first recorded in 1880. The major traffic routes passing through the city include Interstate Highway 94, US Highway 59, Minnesota Highway 210, and County Highways 1, 82, and 88. Nearby communities include French, Foxhome, Western, Squier, Dalton, Underwood, Battle Lake, Phelps, Carlisle, and Elizabeth. Wahpeton, North Dakota is less than thirty miles west of Fergus Falls.
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AC4TA is housed in a building that was built as the Orpheum Theatre in 1921, which originally hosted vaudeville and live theater, operating as a movie theater from the 1950s to the 1970s when it closed for a time, to be reopened as the Fergus Theatre, a community theater group that later became A Center For the Arts. A performance schedule, sponsorships, and rental policies are highlighted.
http://www.fergusarts.org/
Learn about Choice Hotel reward and privilege programs. Find rates and amenities specific to the Fergus Falls, Minnesota Comfort Inn location.
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-fergus_falls-minnesota-MN032
Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
The member-based organization is made up of business owners and managers in Fergus, Minnesota or the surrounding region, and serves as an advocate for its membership and as a means of fostering networking opportunities. The benefits of membership, meeting schedules, and project information are put forth, along with a guide to the community.
http://www.fergusfalls.com/
Fergus Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Fergus Falls, Minnesota CVB is a private, non-profit organization that serves to attract convention business, tourists, and overnight travelers to the area. Its board of directors and schedules are posted, along with a guide to local attractions and recreational opportunities, area sports, meetings and events, hotels and other guest accommodations, and contacts.
http://www.visitfergusfalls.com/
The official city web site publishes city council agendas and minutes, the city charter and code, maps, election information, and administrative and departmental contacts, as well as a guide to local schools, healthcare facilities, organizations, businesses, attractions and events. Public notices are posted to the site.
http://www.ci.fergus-falls.mn.us/
Otter Tail County Historical Society
Headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the OTCHS is a private, non-profit organization that collects the history of the county, collecting, preserving, and interpreting its history and heritage through a gallery of exhibits, educational outreach programs, special public programs, and a genealogical and local history research library, which are outlined here.
http://www.otchs.org/
Headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the power company is a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation, an investor-owned electric utility that provides electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. A company history, an overview of its services, service areas, and contacts are posted. Outages are reported on the site.
https://www.otpco.com/
The independent community bank has served the Fergus Falls, Minnesota community since 1957. Its location and business hours are published, along with its personal, business and agricultural banking programs, home loan policies, and online banking. Checks and savings bonds may be ordered through the site.
https://www.ssbfergus.com/
Distributed Monday through Friday evenings and on Sunday mornings, the Daily Journal is published in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Its circulation and publication dates are posted, subscriptions may be made through the site, and news reports can be submitted. News, sports, opinion columns, and obituaries are published to the site.
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/
The regional shopping mall is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, hosting health care and dental clinics, vision centers, nail, hair and tanning salons, jewelers, and shopping venues, a movie theater, and other clients. A mall directory, leasing information, a calendar of events, contacts and office hours are posted.
http://www.westridgemallff.com/
