Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Coming City

October 24, 2024

1. The Coming City Marker

Inscription. The decision of James Fergus not to invest in Fergus Falls coupled with the Civil War and Dakota Conflict, stymied any development for much of the 1860s. Not until after the Civil War did Assistant U.S. Government surveyor George B. Wright see the potential to harness the river for power. He quit surveying, purchased the abandoned townsite and laid it out into lots and blocks. In 1870 he broke ground for a sawmill, constructed a dam and built a bridge across the river.

Visit the George B. Wright monument in the Wright Memorial Park on Union Avenue.

Wright's faith in the future of Fergus Falls led him to offer free lots of land to anyone willing to start a business. In a series of newspaper advertisements, Wright promoted Fergus Falls as "The Coming City" by extolling its water power and calling the surrounding land "the finest wheat region in the entire west."

In 1872, Fergus Falls became the county seat. The arrival of the railroad in 1879, ensured the town's success. Now settlers and businesses had a scheduled line into and out of town.

Captions:
George Burdick Wright
The Wright Steam Saw Mill located at the east end of Lincoln Avenue was built in 1874 and burned in 1878.
George B. Wright's Saw Mill on the Otter Tail River, 1871.

Erected by

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Otter Tail County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 46° 16.923′ N, 96° 4.438′ W. Marker is in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in Otter Tail County. It can be reached from South Cascade Street north of East Washington Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located along the Fergus Falls River Walk, under the Mill Street bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fergus Falls MN 56537, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Federal Building / River Inn / City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Memorial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Power (within shouting distance of this marker); Fergus Falls City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stealing the County Seat (about 400 feet away); Otter Tail Dams (about 400 feet away); Bridges (about 500 feet away); Otter Tail River (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fergus Falls.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

October 24, 2024

2. The Coming City Marker

October 24, 2024

3. The Coming City Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2024. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2024.