On June 22, 1919, a destructive storm called a cyclone by survivors struck Fergus Falls after a hot, humid day, bringing thunder, dark clouds, hail, and multiple funnels that derailed the Great Northern passenger train Oriental Limited near Carlisle and then tore through the city, leveling 44 square blocks, destroying 159 homes, damaging 194 more, ripping up three bridges, and devastating major buildings including Our Lady of Victory Church, the Grand Hotel, county buildings, and the courthouse; 54 people were killed and more than 160 were injured, and rescue operations followed under local and state National Guard authority. Otter Tail County Historical Society grew from the county's Old Settlers gatherings, where concern mounted that the memories of early settlers were being lost, and in 1927, after M.J. Daly urged the formation of a county historical society, the Women's Club of Fergus Falls under Mrs. W. L. Patterson led the effort, drew more than 300 people to the organizational meeting, established the society's first bank account, and opened a museum in a courthouse room to collect and preserve records, portraits, photographs, letters, pamphlets, clippings, and other materials relating to county history. The society later expanded under E. T. Barnard, gained basement rooms in the courthouse, and used Civil Works Administration and Works Progress Administration support to compile newspaper records, inventory organizational records, interview settlers, and collect artifacts; by the late 1930s, workers had logged 27,482 hours, traveled more than 3,000 miles, conducted more than 1,000 interviews, and collected 860 artifacts, and later fundraising led to a new museum building opened in 1973 and an Agricultural Wing opened in 1983.