Contributed photo
District 56 school in southwestern Otter Tail County, front, left to right, Ray Munson, Dick Munson, Paula Stock, Bruce Ewert, Mark Stock and David Stock. Back, left to right, teacher Dorothy Bergerud, Byron Stock, Wayne Stock, Kathy Jorgenson, Mary Stock, Norma Stock, Dennis Ewert, Diane Stock and Linda Jorgenson.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Country schools are fondly remembered by former students. At one time, Otter Tail County’s 289 rural schools were the most of any county in Minnesota.

The Stock families had several social outlets in Western Township in southwestern Otter Tail County, mainly the District 56 school that housed first through eighth grade. 

“It was much like a home school today,” said David Stock, a 1966 graduate of Fergus Falls High School. “When I was in second grade, eight of the 14 students were Stocks, and the teacher was my father’s sister.” 

Those who grew up on farms in the 1950s and 1960s also witnessed change.

The small family farm started expanding. There eventually was more competition for land, fence lines disappeared, the threshing ritual was replaced by combines, corn cribs gave way to corn dryers and hydraulic power replaced muscles.

Otter Tail County’s country schools are included in a book, “Farmsteads and Old Neighborhoods” reprinted by the county museum (Otter Tail County Historical Society). Books are available at the county museum and Lundeens, both in Fergus Falls. Online purchases are also available.

All proceeds from book sales go to the Otter Tail County Historical Society.