While the area that would become Park Rapids has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous populations, the first permanent groups of Euro-American inhabitants arrived near the end of the nineteenth century.

When surveyors were taking stock of the timber in this area, they also brought back reports of wide, flat prairies ideal for farming. As much of the land farther south and east had already been claimed, some saw their chance to build their homes and gain a livelihood.

These early immigrants took the train to Verndale, then traveled to what is now Park Rapids by wagon. In the early days, it was a fifty-mile trip through woods and swamps, on narrow trails. It took days of overland travel to reach more populated areas away from Park Rapids to get supplies, and to communicate with the outside world.

Charles Todd filed the first claim for a townsite in the area and built a small house on what became Main Avenue. However, due to bureaucratic mishap, he relinquished his claim to newcomer Charles Rice. Charles and his uncles Gilbert and Franklin Rice purchased land and made homestead claims for the area that would become downtown Park Rapids.

The Rice family dammed the rapids and built mills along the Fish Hook River. A small village grew around the mills, supporting the surrounding farming community. The original sixteen-block village of Park Rapids was platted in 1882. It was designated the Hubbard County Seat in 1883. In 1890 Park Rapids was formally incorporated as a village.

301 Grove Avenue South
Park Rapids, MN 56470

Open Site Location on Google Maps
46.9197752758003, -95.0512606463384