LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS

THE STATE WELCOMES YOU: MINNESOTA'S THIRD STATE HOSPITAL by Otter Tail County Historical Society.

The Otter Tail County Historical Society is pleased to present this book based on our exhibit by the same name. The book provides a history of the Fergus Falls State Hospital as it evolved through the administrations of its first four superintendents covering 1890-1984.

Full color with over 175 interior and exterior photographs.

Author: OTCHS
$19.95 - 64 pages SC

PHOTOS BY OXLEY: HISTORIC IMAGES OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA by Otter Tail County Historical Society.

The Otter Tail County Historial Society is pleased to present this extraordinary collection of photographs by W. T. and Lloyd Oxley. Together, this father and son photographed the people, places and events in West Central Minnesota, from the early 1900s to around 1970.

Author: OTCHS
$34.95 - 160 pages HC

FORT JUELSON AND THE INDIAN SCARE OF 1876

In July 1876, settlers in Otter Tail and Grant counties responded with great fear to reports of Indian attacks in the Fergus Falls, French, and Foxhome areas. While many settlers left the area, a cluster of settlers in Tordenskjold Township took the advice of store owner, Dolmer, and built an earthen fort from which to defend themselves. They chose two Civil War veterans, Hans Juelson and Berge O. Lee to lead them. This book is the story of the events surrounding this incident, the fort builders, and now the acquisition of Fort Juelson by Otter Tail County.

Author: Clifford S. Knutson
$12.00 - 100 pages SC

Sorry, we are unable to offer a membership discount on this item.

EVER THE LAND A HOMESTEAD CHRONICLE

This historical chronicle (non-fiction) traces the life of young Pehr through his youth in the 1800’s, marriage, parenthood and tenant farming in Sweden; then his emigration to America and homesteading in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Multifarious simple joys and woes, and one deep constant sorrow accompany Pehr to his grave in 1914.

Author: Ruben L. Parson
$16.95 - 318 pages SC

Carlisle, a small town in west central Minnesota, grew up alongside the Great Northern railroad tracks. In 1867, the first settlers arrived, and in 1879 the Carlisle train depot was built. Discover the businesses, people and places that made Carlisle what it is today.

Author: Linda Frances Lein
$14.95 - 85 pages SC

THE FACES OF CHANGE

What is it like to be a refugee/immigrant in small town Minnesota? Pelican Rapids, population 2374, has undergone significant social, cultural and racial change. Through interviews and photographs, Joan Jarvis Ellison and Mel Zierke explore the human side of these changes and how they have affected this community.

Editor: Joan Jarvis Ellison
$16.95 - 167 pages SC

FERGUS FALLS AND THE FABULOUS FIFTIES
Revisit the 1950s with a stroll through this book. If you are a Fergus Falls High School graduate you are sure to be taken down memory lane. The book is so full of description of everyday life it will almost reconstruct your childhood.

Author: Lance E. Johnson
$19.95 - 232 pages SC

BEYOND THE STORM - BOOK II BEYOND THOSE HILLS SERIES
Minnesota, Armistice Day 1940, the storm of the century. Matthew Anderson faces a crisis within his family. At the same time a storm threatens life. BEYOND THE STORM continues the story of the Andersons and answers the question: "What happened to the Anderson Family?" and "How can Matthew and his family face their new difficulties?"

Author: Vernal Lind
$19.95 - SC

BEYOND THE DARKNESS - BOOK III BEYOND THOSE HILLS SERIES
In the midst of war, Matthew Anderson seeks peace . . . but will the darkness of conflict at home and abroad destroy his family instead? The farmlands of Minnesota lie far from the gunfire and explosions of World War II, yet Matthew Anderson wages his own battles at home to protect his family and preserve his legacy. Though the destructive actions of his brother P.J. have finally faded into the past, a new danger fills Matthew's life. In 1945, his country-and his sons-fight the war for freedom around the globe.

Author: Vernal Lind
$19.95 - SC

BEYOND THIS HOME - BOOK IV BEYOND THOSE HILLS SERIES
As time goes on, Matthew and Ellen Anderson can't help marveling at how life is changing. With all of their children grown and out of the house, they begin to face that they aren't quite as young as they used to be. What does this mean for their life on the farm? Will Matthew be forced to move to town and leave the hills and open spaces that he loves? And it's not just Matthew and Ellen, who face hard times.

Author: Vernal Lind
$19.95 - SC

BEYOND THOSE HILLS - BOOK I
Minnesota, 1937. Matthew Anderson wakened from a nightmare which soon became reality. P.J., his older brother, announces, “The farm is mine!” and Matthew’s world crumbles. Next to Ellen and his children, he loves the land more than anything else. He wonders why God has sent these dry years and has now permitted P.J. to take the farm. How will he handle losing the farm he loves and seeing his parents shaken by P.J.’s actions? Can he forgive his brother? Will he find new purpose and meaning in his life?

Author: Vernal Lind
$16.95 - 347 pages SC

THE GREAT FERGUS FALLS, MINNESOTA CYCLONE OF JUNE 22, 1919 by Lance E. Johnson. Johnson's narrative is the definitive work on what was recognized as the fourth most destructive cyclone in the United States up to that date. In a matter of minutes it destroyed two-thirds of Fergus Falls, leaving 54 people dead and wounding and displacing dozens more. This book contains over 100 photographs, many of which depict the cyclone's destruction.

Author: Lance E. Johnson
$12.95 - 148 pages SC

Author: James Gray & Marjorie Barton
$7.95 - 112 pages SC

PELICAN LAKES: THE HISTORY OF A MINNESOTA COMMUNITY. This is a story of how a beautiful natural wilderness attracted settlers to the shores of four interconnected lakes, and how they and their descendants have lived during the last 150 years. Much of the book is based on first-hand oral history. The first section relates general information that will interest readers regardless of their connection to the Lakes. The second part gives a detailed account of the development of each beach or smaller lake.

Authors: Kingham & Ottoson
$25.00 - 287 pages SC

GOING TO THE LAKE: A MEMOIR OF THE BONITA BEACH EXPERIENCE AT OTTER TAIL LAKE. A collection of stories about the experience of Going to the Lake since 1911. When Going to the Lake provided something new and exciting for both parents and children and included the use of an outhouse, cooking over an open fire and enjoying the great outdoors.

Author: Thomas A. Lincoln
$10.00 - 59 pages SC

MEMORIES OF OTTER TAIL LAKE, Second Edition. Includes fascinating stories about the people and everyday life on the north side of Otter Tail Lake. The book is divided into four parts: The Early Years, The Middle Years, Memories and an Epilogue which includes an intriguing Trivia Quiz. Sure to appeal to anyone who remembers summers spent "Going to the Lake".

Author: Lance E. Johnson
$10.00 - 127 pages SC

OLD CLITHERALL'S STORY BOOK: A HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT IN OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA, 1865-1919. Contains stories written by members and descendents of the first permanent settlement of Otter Tail County. Followers of Alpheus Cutler, they traveled in covered wagons pulled by oxen from Manti, Iowa to the north shore of Clitherall Lake.

Compiled by: Hallie Gould
$3.59 - 61 pages SC

PLACES. Compiled by Otter Tail County Historical Society. A collection of stories by Otter Tail County residents as they remember Places in Otter Tail County which inspired, thrilled and changed them. As you read this book you will recall memories --- memories that are real and close to home. If you develop a case of nostalgia, the book hit its target!

Compiled by: Otter Tail County Historical Society
$14.95 - 206 pages SC

THE PROMISE OF A BEAUTIFUL HARVEST. A collection of newspaper accounts of life in Otter Tail County from 1865-1895.

Compiled by: Otter Tail County Historical Society
$2.50 - 20 pages SC

RIVER OF TIME: FERGUS FALLS 125TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY. A collection of essays, short stories and poetry from writers who have wandered far away from Fergus Falls and from those that have passed through and felt the tug to call it at least a temporary home or place for reflection. Includes works by: Sinclair Lewis, Mary MacLane, Herbert Krause, James Drey, Diane Glancy, Jim Fawbush, Harold Huber, Idona Ryding, Jane Sanderson, Timray and several more.

Edited by: Jolie Sasseville
$11.95 - SC - ON SALE NOW ONLY $5.95!!!!

RURAL SCHOOLS OF OTTER TAIL COUNTY. Compiled by Otter Tail County Historical Society, it is a pictorial history of the Rural Schools of Otter Tail County both past and present. Organized by township and school district number. At its peak, Otter Tail County had more rural school districts than any county in Minnesota. The book also includes stories submitted by past teachers and students, newspaper accounts and official school records.

Compiled by: Otter Tail County Historical Society
$34.95 - 128 pages HC LIMITED EDITION - ON SALE NOW ONLY $20.00!!!