Lida Township, organized March 19, 1879, bears the name of its largest lake, which probably commemorates the wife or daughter of a pioneer settler, or of the government surveyor of the sections in this township. On the early state maps published in 1860-70, Lake Lida is incorrectly outlined and named Lake Anna; but is rightly mapped, with the present name, in the first Atlas of Minnesota, 1874.
Source: The Book “Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance” Volume 17 – 1920 By Warren Upham”
Lida Township has the unique distinction of having more water surface area than any other township in Otter Tail County. (44% of the township is water)
