Pelican Rapids, MN

Pelican Pete, a concrete-and-plaster pelican sculpture built beside the Pelican River in 1957, is Pelican Rapids' most recognizable landmark. About seven meters tall, it turns the city's name and river setting into a physical marker at the heart of town. Pelican Rapids was platted in 1872 around the river rapids, and its post office has operated there since that year. The Otter Tail County city had 2,577 residents in the 2020 census and sits at the meeting of US 59 and Minnesota 108. Current services include a public library, campground, pool, parks, airport, and public works. The local chamber points residents and visitors toward downtown shops and restaurants, the Pelican River, and nearby Maplewood State Park. A highway junction, a river landmark, and recurring park events give the city a clear local map. The river gives the city a physical center for this mix of services and events.