Historic Properties Historic Properties

Arguably the best-known historic site in Fergus Falls is the Fergus Falls State Hospital Complex, also known as the "Regional Treatment Center", "RTC", "The Kirkbride", and "The Kirkbride Campus".

Identified by the State of MN as a surplus facility slated for demolition in the early 2000s, the City of Fergus Falls purchased the state hospital facility and grounds in 2007 with the goal of preservation and reuse. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1980s (with its listing updated and expanded in 2016), the state hospital site, known colloquially as "the Kirkbride" or the "Regional Treatment Center (RTC)", has meant much to the region over the centuries. It has been a political feather in the cap, an economic driver, and a cutting-edge and beautifully designed solution for a societal need. Though the main buildings currently sit empty, the complex remains a significant presence in the community.

For the campus' early history, flip through A Short History of the Fergus Falls State Hospital, compiled by Emery Johnson Jr. in June of 1972, below. 

For a history of City of Fergus Falls discussions surrounding the RTC, view compiled minutes here. 

In 2019, the City of Fergus Falls initiated a planning effort to evaluate the long-term reuse potential of the Regional Treatment Center (RTC) campus, including the historic Kirkbride building. The City retained Collaborative Design Group (CDG), a historic preservation architectural firm based in Minneapolis, to lead the study.

The project formally began on January 22, 2020, when CDG and its consultant team met with City staff and a City Council–appointed advisory committee to outline the scope of work and begin analysis. The planning effort concluded in 2021, and the RTC Reuse Master Plan was formally approved by the Fergus Falls City Council later that year, where it continues to serve as a guiding planning document for the site.

As part of the master planning process, the consultant team developed and distributed a community-wide survey to gather public input on reuse priorities and concerns related to the RTC campus. The survey closed on March 6, 2020. More than 1,000 responses were received, with the majority submitted within the first week. Responses reflected strong community interest in the future of the RTC and helped inform reuse priorities and guiding principles. Community feedback was incorporated alongside technical analysis to shape the plan’s conclusions and recommendations.

Planning Framework

The RTC Reuse Master Plan was conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). These guidelines require evaluation of historic reuse potential across three core areas:

• Market Assessment – evaluating economic feasibility and demand
• Architectural Assessment – analyzing structural integrity and adaptability
• Community Issues and Concerns – incorporating public input and local priorities

This framework ensured that reuse options were evaluated comprehensively, balancing preservation, market realities, and community values.

A room-by-room architectural and structural assessment completed in October 2020 confirmed that the Kirkbride building is structurally sound. The building’s masonry, steel, wood, and clay tile construction provides durability, thermal mass, and acoustic benefits that support adaptive reuse.

Many historic features remain intact, including tile work, access to natural light, and long interior views. Limited water damage was identified, primarily in a portion of the west detached wing with a flat roof.

Based on market conditions, architectural suitability, and community input, the master plan identified housing as the most viable long-term reuse for the Kirkbride building. At the time of the study, Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County were experiencing low vacancy rates and increasing demand for:

• Senior housing
• Market-rate and affordable rental housing
• Supportive and permanent supportive housing

These housing demands still exist today.

The plan also acknowledged that smaller-scale complementary uses, like childcare, offices, galleries, community spaces, or limited retail, could be incorporated in ways that support residential reuse.