Heritage Preservation Commission Heritage Preservation Commission

May is Preservation Month! The Fergus Falls Heritage Preservation Commission invites the community to explore local history on foot this May with two walking tours led by historian Chris Schuelke, former Executive Director of the Otter Tail County Historical Society. Tours are $5 per person. Both involve moderate walking distances. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Plan for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

Historic Lake Alice Tour — Thursday, May 14, 6:30 PM Meet at St. James Episcopal Church

Lake Alice is a beloved part of Fergus Falls, drawing picnickers and ice skaters for generations, but on June 22, 1919, two tornadoes tore through Fergus Falls, destroying or damaging nearly two-thirds of the city and killing more than 50 people. Lake Alice was at the center of the destruction — dozens of homes were flattened, leaving the lake so filled with debris it appeared solid enough to walk across. 

Join local historian Chris Schuelke for a walking tour of the Lake Alice neighborhood and discover how one catastrophic day reshaped a neighborhood and became part of the city's enduring lore. 

Historic Downtown Tour — Thursday, May 21, 6:30 PM Meet at the SW corner of Lincoln Ave E and Cascade Street

Downtown Fergus Falls is home to a remarkable concentration of historic buildings — Italianate, Medieval Revival, Victorian Eastlake, Renaissance Revival, and more, all within a four-block stretch. It's one of the most architecturally distinctive downtowns in Minnesota.

Join local historian Chris Schuelke for a walking tour through the heart of the city to discover the stories behind the buildings, how the streetscape has changed over more than a century, and what Fergus Falls once looked like at its commercial core.

Tours are a great way to connect with the history of our community during National Historic Preservation Month. See you on foot!