Organized September 5, 1870, and its railway village, platted in the summer of 1903 and incorporated May 3, 1904, were named like this county, for its largest lake. (click here to see how Otter Tail lake got it’s name)
Otter Tail City, the early station op a route of fur traders in going from St. Paul and Crow Wing to the Red River Valley, was in the area of this township, being for several years the place of the U. S. land office, and later it was the first county seat.
Is “Otter Tail” One Word, or Two?
“Otter Tail” is the correct spelling when referring to the township, as it is with all the following:
- Otter Tail County
- Otter Tail Township
- Otter Tail Lake
- Otter Tail River
In fact, there is only ONE official government entity that utilizes a single word, and that is the city of “Ottertail”.
