Park Rapids' tourism industry grew rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The railroad made the growing village accessible to visitors from around the nation and helped the community grow.

The first hotel in Park Rapids, called the "Headwaters," was opened in 1882. It had three rooms and was far from luxurious. By 1904, there were six hotels in Park Rapids and countless resorts were being developed to capitalize on the wave of tourism.

Resorts produced booklets and brochures with photographs of the area, boasting of its lakes and fishing, hunting, beautiful scenery, and cool, healthy air. These advertising booklets included glowing testimonials from sportsmen to prominent doctors, testifying to the fine experience to be had in Park Rapids. They also supplied their guests with resort-branded post cards to send to friends and family at home, encouraging them to visit.

Resorts also capitalized on novelty to set them apart from their competition. Lodges hosted annual fishing competitions and boating races. They advertised bug-proof cottages with screen porches, and large, luxurious lodges.

While some early tourists arrived by stagecoach, most arrived in Park Rapids by train. In the twentieth century, the rise of the automobile meant that more tourists arrived by car and the type of tourism also changed. Early twentieth-century tourists might come to Park Rapids for weeks or even months during the summer. Later in the century, vacations became shorter. Visitors were more likely to be from other parts of Minnesota rather than from other parts of the country.

While Park Rapids has changed considerably since the three-room Headwaters was the finest hotel in town, it continues to offer a warm welcome to visitors.

Main Avenue South
Park Rapids, MN 56470

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46.918837700438836, -95.06003463225427