The Christensen family has been part of the agricultural economy for years. Fourth-generation Jake Christensen talks about farming through the years and about the bench that represents agriculture.

Whether you have been coming to the lakes area for generations or this is your first time, the beauty is undeniable. The land was settled by God-fearing, hard working men and women who came to set deep roots and raise their families. As the glaciers rolled across the landscape, they provided what early settlers wanted above everything else, a steady supply of fresh water. As you drive through the countryside you can still see many barns located near a pond or lake.

The settlers first came with their sow, cow, and a plow. Wheat ruled the day along with oats, barley and corn for livestock. Agriculture thrived as technology and seed-farming practices advanced. The twenty-cow dairies of the World War Two-era gave way to the 60 cow-dairies of the 60’s to the 80’s and even larger today, as people migrated to areas with plentiful land.

Although agriculture is not as prevalent as it once was, it still has a big presence in Otter Tail County. But farming is changing. The amber waves of grain are now straight lines of corn and beans. Small dairy barns might have a light on but won’t have a line of cows ready to be ushered in. The number of fence rows separating farms is diminishing annually.

Civilization now flourishes where there was once wilderness. We experience life from the deck of a pontoon, a stroll on a paved path, or at 60-miles per hour in an air-conditioned vehicle on our way to a restaurant.

It's difficult to imagine what our forefathers endured as they advanced toward the future. But we appreciate and enjoy the sweat, grit, determination and hard work of those who came before.

This bench represents our agricultural past, present, and future. Notice the corn, cows, barn, tractor, rooster – what else do you see here that you would encounter on a drive through the countryside?

The bench was created as part of a grant award to Battle Lake from the Lake Region Arts Council. Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, a $10,000 grant award grew to $60,000.

The First National Bank clock, although stopped at 3:10 forever, is a landmark. It was installed in May of 1915 and originally chimed.