Research Fergus history at the county museum

Published 11:12am Monday, August 1, 2011

For The Journalpetitioner

A recent mystery tour, conducted by Join Chris Schuelke, executive director of the Otter Tail County Historical Society, took participants through a twilight walk of the historic downtown.

The walk explored some of the community’s more colorful characters and notorious events.

As the tour weaved through main street, stories and people came to life, such as the 1932 confrontation between Hamilton Denham and Bill Hatcher in what the Journal described as “one of the most sensational shooting affrays in the history of our city.”

The tour examined stories and visited sites such as the painting of a nude woman discovered between walls at the old city hall, as well as the location of an infamous liquor operation and its well known owner was revealed as well as the stories behind the county’s two “official” hangings.

You can research the events, buildings, people and places of Otter Tail County at the Otter Tail County Historical Society, 1110 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls. General admission to the museum is $4/adults, $1/ages 5-11. Members and children 4 and under are free.

Library patrons are $5/day. Large group tours are welcome. Guided tours can be arranged in advance. Meeting space is available. Extended museum hours through August are 9 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (exhibit gallery only).

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