Modern-day Fergus Falls is on Dakota and Anishinaabe (also referenced as Chippewa) land. Native artifacts found in Otter Tail County date back to 11,000 B.C.E. (1)

In 1857, a man named Joe Whitford was sent by his employer, James Fergus, to locate a site for a new town. Along the way he encountered a Native family who told him of a location where there was a big falls or rapids. After locating the rapids, Whitford staked out a town site at the big falls and named it Fergus Falls in honor of his employer.

In 1870, George B. Wright purchased the town site for just over $100.00 with a vision of creating Fergus Falls as a regional trade center. He built a dam on the river to power a sawmill. From that time on, the building in Fergus Falls was limited only by the ability of the mill to furnish lumber. On March 1, 1872, Fergus Falls was chartered as an official village of the State of Minnesota and the County Seat of Otter Tail County. (2)

In 2022 Fergus Falls celebrated its sesquicentennial. One hundred and fifty years ago George B. Wright wrote in eastern newspapers inviting people to come to Fergus Falls “The Coming City of the West.” Celebrations throughout the year included a kick-off at the March 18, 2022 City Council meeting (the first meeting 150 years ago was on March 30). Dressed in period costumes, characters from our city’s past made an appearance to discuss the role of women in leadership, the sale of liquor and other pertinent government business. Other highlights included a year-long exhibit at the Otter Tail County Historical Society, minting and selling commemorative coins, creating, and selling a series of four historical tiles, a presence in our summer parade and a giant party on June 30th at Spies Riverfront Park. There was a vintage baseball game, an all-school reunion, and commemorative banners hung from street poles  throughout downtown.

 1 https://ottertailcountymn.us/history/