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Lake Alice the hardest hit area during cyclone
Published 01:10 p.m., June 23, 2009
When the Fergus Falls cyclone struck the community on June 22, 1919, the twister left a path of destruction in the Lake Alice area just north of downtown. Ninety years to the day of the cyclone, on Monday evening, about 100 people took a walking tour around the lake.
The walk included a living history from individuals who portrayed Mayor George Frankberg, Kathryn Kaddatz and a survivor who represented hundreds of people who narrowly escaped injury or death in 1919.
Coordinated by the Otter Tail County Historical Society, the walking tour included stops at various homes, some that survived the cyclone and others that were built in the years following the devastation. Hardest hit was the west side of Lake Alice. Homes along the 400 to 800 blocks were either destroyed or severely damaged.
“This evening’s tour is a walk through time,” said Historical Society Director Chris Schuelke. “We’ll see the effects of the cyclone.”
Assuming the role of Mayor George Frankberg, on the northeast side of the lake near the monument to the cyclone victims, was Charlie Bacon. Portraying a woman who survived the twister, on the west side of Lake Alice, was Betty Klug. Taking the role of survivor Kathryn Kaddatz, on the east side of the lake, was Jan Smith.
In addition to Lake Alice cyclone history and the rebuilding and building of homes along the lake, Schuelke also offered tidbits of information about the general history of Lake Alice.
One story, said Schuelke, asserts that the lake was named for Alice Faber, the first woman inhabitant of Fergus Falls. Another story, he said, ties the naming to Alice Page, wife of an early banker. Henry and Alice Page were friends of Fergus Falls promoter George B. Wright.
In 1884 a fountain was erected near the southeast shore of Lake Alice. In 1886 a floating bandstand was positioned near the west side of the lake for summer evening concerts.
The walking tour began and ended at St. James Episcopal Church on the southwest side of the lake. The current church was erected as a replacement for the original structure which was destroyed by the cyclone in 1919.
The bell from the old belfry is reported to have blown into Lake Alice during the cyclone. It was never recovered.
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