Organized September 5, 1870, took its name from the Pelican River flowing through it. In sections 22 and 27, where the river descends with rapids over drift boulders, Pelican Rapids Village was platted in 1872 and incorporated May 16, 1882. The Ojibways gave to Lake Lida their name of the pelican, spelled Shada by Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha,” and they applied the same name to the Pelican River from this lake and Lake Lizzie to its junction with Red (Otter Tail) River.
Source: The Book “Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance” Volume 17 – 1920 By Warren Upham”
