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History of Parkers Prairie
Parkers Prairie is
located about 20 miles north of I-94 at the Alexandria
exit in West Central Minnesota. Parkers Prairie was founded as
early as 1868 with a General Store on the shores of Lake Adley and incorporated in 1903.
We are a friendly community where neighbors say
“Hi!” to one another while strolling down tree lined
streets on a summer evening or attending the Fall
Festival in City Park. Newly renovated City Park now
boasts two large accessible play structures and other
activities. New accessible restrooms and sidewalks
enhance the picnic shelters and outdoor swimming pool.
Lake Adley Park provides a public access boat ramp for
summer fishing and a popular ice fishing spot.
Parkers is a community of volunteers: Parkers
Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, Parkers Prairie
Ambulance Service, Lions, Jaycees, Sportsman's Club,
Prairie Drifters Snowmobile Club and American Legion
Post 219. Active Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout
troops provide unique learning opportunities for young
people.
We are a community that remembers their heritage
through worship at one of four churches. Our School
District is as involved in the community as the
community is in the School District, working together to
solve problems. Most businesses are of the “Mom & Pop”
variety, ready to serve. The medical clinic can usually
provide same day appointments while the dental clinic
and three Chiropractors provide service one or two days
a week. The new ‘Build-to-Suit’ industrial park can
provide young businesses just the place they need to
grow.
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Hanson, Duane
(Jan.
17, 1925-Jan. 6, 1996)
Well Renowned Sculptor
Though Alexandria is credited as his birthplace,
his farm is in Rose City. He was raised in and
graduated from Parkers Prairie High School.
Duane Hanson is well known for
his hyper-realistic figures made of polyester
and cast fiberglass enhanced by real clothing,
accessories, and props.
The realism of his sculptures
draws the viewer in for a closer look and links
Hanson with the Photorealist painters who also
explored methods
of copying as a form of image-making. Hanson’s
intent, however, was not merely to reproduce
reality but also to comment on the human
condition. His subjects are ordinary people
leading unremarkable lives—a cleaning lady, a
woman shopping, a museum guard.
For more information about Duane
Hanson and his sculpting visit the following
sites:
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/gallery/hanson_duane.html
http://www.artmolds.com/ali/halloffame/duane_hanson.htm
Articles
about Duane Hanson:
http://www.broward.org/library/bienes/lii08200.htm
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As the men
finished the trail, settlers of Swedish, German, Irish,
Scotch and English descent poured in and began to settle
and work the virgin land. Parkers Prairie developed into
a prominent farming community and within three
years all open land was snatched up. Settlers moved out
to the country where more of the prairie's beauty was
discovered. A series of small lakes and rivers
surrounded the community. The area was plentiful with
fish, wildlife, wild flowers and berries. Much of the
beauty found then still flourishes in and around Parkers
Prairie today as do the descendants of its first
settlers. |
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Parkers Prairie
became a reality in 1867 when two men, Parker and Adley,
blazed a trail to Otter Tail County through dense
timbers and marshes and arrived on a beautiful prairie.
Legend has it that they climbed a tree and discovered a
beautiful lake on the edge of the prairie. They decided
to name the lake and prairie after themselves,
thus.....Parkers Prairie and Lake Adley.
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