By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Two years after a fire destroyed a historic former school and town hall, residents of Compton Township will soon have a new place to call their own. Construction on a new town hall is underway at the same location a nearly 100-year-old historic building was burned down in a suspected arson in June 2022. 

Compton Township Chairman Larry Richter said the town board spent quite a bit of time over the past two years to plan and eventually decide on a new town hall. He said nothing will replace the rich history of the former school house and town hall, which was built in the 1920s, but the hope is the new structure will be able to give township residents a place to discuss township matters, vote and help the area grow for another generation.

“This last year we just looked into it seriously and decided we need a place for our identity and for our historical records,” said Richter. 

The new township will be a 32×40 foot steel building and funding is already in place to make the project come to a reality. Richter said local contractors have been hired to complete the project, which provides additional work for local residents as well. 

“Local guys are involved in it for the most part. It’s their hall and their place where they have town meetings where they can come to bring up topics to the board,” said Richter of the added importance of having local contractors. 

Work on the structure will continue throughout the rest of summer. 

More about Compton Township

Compton Township, organized July 31, 1875, in eastern Otter Tail County, commemorates James Compton, an early pioneer. 

He was born in Pennsylvania in 1840 and served during the Civil War with Pennsylvania and Illinois regiments, attaining the rank of captain.

Compton came to Minnesota in 1872, settling in Fergus Falls. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank and was cashier until 1891.

Later, Compton was commandant of the Minnesota Soldiers’ Home in the Twin Cities. He died in Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 1908.