Otto- all 40 feet of him- stands along the banks of Grotto Lake in Adams Park. He was build in 1972 in honor of the centennial of Otter County where Fergus Falls is the county seat.

A local High School shop teacher and his students made the initial attempt to create Otto. Unfortunately, and I know I’m not the first to say this, their efforts were an otter failure.

Steven Jaenisch, a local metal artist, who died in 2014, took on the task of creating Otto. Here is a video of an interview with Steven just a few years before his death. Following are links to two other of his sculptures Brutalist Torch Art Fishing and recreation of Robert Hyslop’s Lady. Both sculptures are worth a look. The story behind Robert Hyslop’s Lady may bring a tear to your eye.

At 54 years old, Otto looks like he may outlast many of us. Thank you, Mr. Jaenisch, for creating Otto and bringing joy to Fergus Falls and passers by .

We are heading north to Burnesville, MN. We have one more roadside attraction to share with you before we cross into Canada.