Native Peoples Lived Here First- Dakota Indians were the first people to live in this area. They lived in homes that were covered with grass and dirt called lodges.
Native Peoples' Homes- The Dakota also lived in homes that were covered with tree bark called wigwams.
Farming - European immigrants arrived in the 1850's. They started farms. This group of farms was known as Elmwood.
From Farms to Village - In August 1886, Elmwood grew so large it became the Village of St. Louis Park. But it still was mostly farms.
Naming the Village - The name came from the St. Louis Railroad which ran through the village. The word "Park" was added.
The Village Grows- In 1890 lots of building began in the village and moved outward. By 1893, the downtown area of St. Louis Park had three hotels and many new companies.
Grain Elevators - In the late 1800's trains were moving grain in and out of St. Louis Park. The grain was stored in grain elevators that kept the grain fresh and dry.
The Bucket Brigade - A 16 man "bucket brigade" was organized in 1893. It was St. Louis Park's first fire department.
St. Louis Park Street Cars - Streetcars helped people get around the area before there were cars and buses.
A Suburb of Minneapolis - Many residents had jobs in Minneapolis. They used the streetcars to travel to Minneapolis to work.
The Housing Boom - After World War 2, St. Louis Park grew very fast. Most of St. Louis Park's homes were built from the late 1940's to the early 1950's.
Good and Services - Minnesota's first shopping center was built on Excelsior Boulevard. It was called "Lilac Way."
From Village to City -   In 1954, voters approved a law that made St. Louis Park a city. This allowed St. Louis Park to pave streets, acquire park land and build schools.

Back To Top

---

--- St. Louis Park: Present ---

Population -

St. Louis Park is a city of 44,126 people who work and live in our city.

Most of St. Louis Park's land is developed. This means our city is filled with houses, businesses, parks and schools. We are a diverse community of people.

Location -

St. Louis Park is a first ring suburb located immediately west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. St. Louis Park is located in Hennepin County.

Land Facts -

Total square miles - 10.67

Land devoted to parks and open space - 750 acres

Overall residential density - 4,100 persons per square mile

Geography -

St. Louis Park has two distinct landscape regions -

The area north of Minnetonka Boulevard is generally characterized by rolling uplands with intermittent ponds and wetlands.

The area south of Minnetonka Boulevard has nearly level to gently rolling topography with intermittent ponds and wetlands.

Minnehaha Creek meanders through St. Louis Park along its southwestern and southern boundaries. In addition, St. Louis Park has a number of small lakes/ponds including - Westwood, Bass, and Twin Lakes.

The topographic variation within St. Louis Park is about 130 feet.

Highest point - Westwood Hills Environmental Education Center

Lowest area - Bass Lake basin

Education -

St. Louis Park has 7 public schools:

Aquila - Kindergarten through third grade

Peter Hobart - Kindergarten through third grade

Park Spanish Immersion - Kindergarten through sixth grade

Cedar Manor - fourth grade through sixth grade

Susan Lindgren - fourth grade through sixth grade

Westwood Junior High - seventh and eighth grades

Senior High - ninth through twelfth grade

Back to Top

---

--- St. Louis Park: Future -

 

Methodist Hospital and Park Nicollet Clinic Expanding

Methodist Hospital and the Park Nicollet Clinic, have plans for expanding both its buildings. Both buildings are located on Excelsior boulevard.

If plans are approved, all construction would begin in the next few years.

 

 

Excelsior & Grand Development Project

The final phase of the Excelsior & Grand development (formerly known as Park Commons East) is underway. This phase will feature more condominiums and retail. Buildings will have an inside courtyard and two levels of underground parking.

Source: "The official source of information about the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota."

Downloaded 10-16-2001, 11-11-2002 and 10-10-2003.

http://www.stlouispark.org

---

Social Studies Resources

Aquila's Home Page

---

Revised: 3-1-2007

For information, contact John Dyer, Media Specialist, Aquila Primary Center.