After a quarter-century in storage, a collection of mural paintings has been unveiled at the Land and Resource Management department in the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls. Believed to be the work of artists enrolled in the Depression-era Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project, these murals offer a glimpse into the county’s past. The murals once decorated the first-floor offices of the Otter Tail County Courthouse.

“When I first applied to work in the Land and Resource office in the courthouse, the first thing I noticed were the murals painted on the ceiling borders,” said Assistant Director of Land and Resource Kyle Westergard. “For years, every time I walked into the office, I felt a sense of pride seeing a bit of county history on the wall. Thankfully, the murals will be available for the public and employees to enjoy and hopefully understand a bit of the pride I felt all those years ago.”

Doug Cannell, Otter Tail County Assistant Plant Manager, recalled the meticulous process of removing the canvases from the courthouse walls to ensure their preservation. 

“I think the courthouse is such a beautiful building with lots of character,” Cannell said. “I am so glad that we were able to come up with a plan to get the artwork back up for everyone to enjoy, and it is extra special for them to be displayed in the county office that they were in originally.”

Several murals depicting the county’s townships were painted on canvases attached to the walls of the courthouse offices. Sadly, many were lost during renovations. However, returning the framed mural sections to the Land and Resource Department is exciting.

Chris LeClair, Director of Otter Tail County’s Land and Resource Department, expressed his appreciation for the historic significance of these paintings. 

“Framing the art and once again displaying the murals in today’s Land & Resource Management office gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we came from and where we’re going. My only regret is that we don’t know who painted them,” he said.

Despite their lack of signatures, the murals are estimated to be over a century old, offering a valuable connection to the county’s rich history.  

Lisa Anderson of Beyond the Mitered Corners in Fergus Falls framed the mural sections. 

For those interested in experiencing these remarkable pieces firsthand, they are now on display at the Land and Resource Management department in the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.