Pelican Rapids.
Pelican Rapids is a flourishing little city of over 1,500 people. It is in the northwest part of the county and at the terminus of a branch of the Great Northern railroad, twenty-three miles north of Fergus Falls. The town is situated on either side of the Pelican river, which runs from east to west through the town. There are more than sixty business places in the town, all enjoying a good trade. Some of the merchants carry very large stocks of goods, and do an annual trade varying from $20,000 to $60,000. They have a fine water power at this point, and a flouring mill of 200-barrel capacity and a large elevator at present run by this power.
To the east of town there is a fine timber country, but well settled up by farmers, who have taken forty and eighty-acre tracts, cut off the wood and cleared up fields from which they raise bountiful crops of wheat, oats, barley, corn and vegetables. To the west of town the country is a rolling prairie. The farmers on these prairies are very prosperous and always have good crops. Eastern people will make no mistake by bringing their families here, for Pelican Rapids has the finest public schools of the county and well organized churches. Pelican Rapids is tributary to the best hunting and fishing grounds in the state.
Pelican Rapids is one of the enterprising towns of Otter Tail county, the second city in size. The city is surrounded by a fine agricultural and stock growing country. The Pelican river affords excellent water power, a few other advantages make it a favorable point for manufacturing. If any of our Eastern friends wish to know more of this section they can correspond with any of the following business men:
Following are a few of the business firms:
The Grand hotel, the only first-class hotel of the town, is run by A. G. Kinney, and is first-class in every point.
A. F. Renner runs the Riverside meat market and also as one of the stock buyers of the county.
P. D. Gross is proprietor of the Star restaurant, the swell place of the town.
Axness & Co. are one of the main drug firms of the town, and Mr. Axness is a member of the board of health.
S. S. Lewis is the editor and publisher of the Pelican Rapids Press, which paper is a credit to the town. Mr. Lewis published the Beacon at Cannon Falls for twenty-three years.
The First National bank is one of the solid ones of the state and also does a good business in real estate and loans. O. F. Ulland, the cashier, is a rustler for the town.
J. M. Ranger is proprietor of the Pelican Manufacturing company, contractors and builders; also manager of the North Star Lumber company’s business at this place.
E. L. Miller runs a livery and feed stable; also buys and sells draft and driving horses and has a horse hospital in connection.
The J. P. Wallace bank was established in 1882. They own their building, and it is equipped in modern style and has ample amount of capital. J. P. Wallace, president.
N. N. Hugen & Son are one of the leading farm implement firms of the state. C. D. Haugen is one of the directors of the First National bank.
O. N. Anderson runs the City Meat market and has been in business for six years.
C. O. Nysven & Co. run a general merchandise store, and have a very fine business.
H. N. Bruce is one of the main attorneys of the county, and has been here since 1881.
G. M. Mills is the proprietor of the Golden Rule department store, and has a very large stock. This store is a credit to the town.
Donovan Bros. run a very fine drug store and also have a full line of wall-paper, paints and oils.
Carr & Poss are proprietors of a general store and have been in business for twenty years.
Stenerson Bros. have for the last thirteen years run one of the leading lumber yards and have branch yards all over the state.
Blyberg & Haugen run a very fine clothing and gents’ furnishing store; also a full line of dry goods. Mr. Haugen is the representative from this county.
L. A. Williams runs a very large hardware store, and has a tin shop and bicycle shop in connection, and has been in business for twelve years.
W. B. Snyder runs the only barber shop of the city, and always gives good satisfaction.
Source:
The Saint Paul Globe
Monday Morning, November 2, 1903
Volume XXVI, Number 306, Page 3