Otter Tail County, Minnesota
| Otter Tail County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 Location in the U.S. state of Minnesota |
|
 Minnesota's location in the U.S. |
|
| Founded | March 18, 1858 (created) 1868 (organized) |
| Named for | Otter Tail Lake and Otter Tail River |
| Seat | Fergus Falls |
| Largest city | Fergus Falls |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,225 sq mi (5,763 km2) |
| • Land | 1,972 sq mi (5,107 km2) |
| • Water | 252 sq mi (653 km2), 11% |
| Population (est.) | |
| • (2015) | 57,716 |
| • Density | 29/sq mi (11/km²) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www |
Otter Tail County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 57,303. Its county seat is Fergus Falls. The county was formed in 1858 and organized in 1868.
Otter Tail County comprises the Fergus Falls, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Native Americans used the survey area for hunting and fishing and had permanent dwelling sites. Two Native American tribes were in constant conflict. The Dakota (Sioux) were being pushed from their home area by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) during the late 18th century and early 19th century. Burial mounds and artifacts can still be found. Some of the oldest remains of Native Americans were found near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. The remains, nicknamed Minnesota Girl, were dated at about 11,000 B.C. (Otter Tail County Historical Museum).
The first white men to enter the county were French and British fur traders. Efforts were made to set up trading posts on the Leaf Lakes and Otter Tail Lake. In the late 19th century, most of the towns were built along the railroad lines. Lumber and agriculture were the major industries in the county at that time. The pine and hardwood forests, transportation system, and markets were instrumental in the development of Fergus Falls into a lumber center.
In 1870, the population of the county was about 2,000. At that time the principal languages spoken in the county were Norwegian, Swedish, German, and English. Otter Tail County was established in March 1858 by a legislative act. It was organized in 1868. The original county seat was Ottertail City.
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