Pelican Rapids Minnesota Real Estate

Pelican Rapids is located on the Pelican River, in Otter Tail County, 45 miles southeast of Fargo, North Dakota.  This town of 2,400 serves as the gateway to Maplewood State Park, an area comprised of 9,000 acres of dense forests and pristine lakes.  In 1957, local people built the World's Largest Pelican, an 18-foot-high structure made of steel and plaster.  The Pelican sits in the middle of town, next to the Mill Pond dam.  Another prominent Pelican Rapids landmark is a 250-foot suspension footbridge, the Mill Pond Bridge.  Pelican Rapids is also home to one of the four best small libraries in America (2005 award cosponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).  Surrounding communities include Elizabeth, Edwards and Erhard.

With 12 golf courses within a 35-mile radius of town, you might think twice about hammock time until much later in the day!  Of course, there are also the many water activities to be enjoyed on or near one of the numerous inviting lakes.

Pelican Rapids Minnesota History

Pelican Rapids' name came from the 1868 discovery of the rapids by settlers who had arrived to locate and establish trading posts for the British Northwest Company.  In 1869, John Johnson became the first settler in Pelican Township and, in 1871, the Village of Pelican Rapids was platted.  The town officially incorporated in 1883.

Discovery of the oldest human skeleton on this continent put Pelican Rapids on the map in the archaeology community.  A monument to the skeleton of the young girl, believed to be 10,000 years old, is on display on Highway 59.  "Minnesota Woman" is considered an important link in the archaeological timetable of North America. 

Photo by Jodi Swanson

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