Minnetonka, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 51,301 people, 21,393 households, and 14,097 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,893.0 persons per square mile (729.7/km²). There were 22,228 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile (316.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.40% White, 1.50% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. 24.7% were of German
, 13.8% Norwegian, 9.1% Irish
, 8.2% Swedish and 6.7% English
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 21,393 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples
living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households are made up of single individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
According to the 2000 US Census, the median income for a household in the city was $83,437.
The Dakota
and Ojibway Indians were the first people to settle in the area. They believed the land around Lake Minnetonka
(minne meaning water and tonka meaning big) was the legendary home of an extinct race. The first recorded exploration of the area by European settlers was in 1822, when a group from newly constructed Fort Snelling made its way up Minnehaha Creek (then known as Brown's Creek or Falls Creek) to the lake. In 1851 the Dakotah sold the area including Minnetonka to the United States with the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
. The first census, the Territorial Census of 1857, lists 41 households. Twenty-nine of the heads of households are listed as farmers. The occupations of the remaining twelve are associated with the operations of Minnetonka Mill and a nearby hotel.
In 1852 a claim was staked on Minnehaha Creek near McGinty Road. The sawmill
that was constructed in the thick woods of maple, oak
, elm, red cedar
and basswood was the first privately-operated mill in Minnesota west of the Mississippi River
. Oak timbers from this mill were used to build the first suspension bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls in 1853. The settlement of Minnetonka Mills that grew up around the mill was the first permanent European-American settlement west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. In 1855 a two-story sawmill was constructed with a furniture factory on the second floor. A building for varnish
ing furniture was built on the south side of the creek, at the present Bridge Street. Production consisted mainly of chairs and bedsteads. The Minnetonka Republican at St. Anthony published a short article describing the area. The February 12, 1857 issue said:
In 1860, after only 8 years of operation, the sawmill closed. In 1869 a flour and grist mill were constructed and operated until the late 1880s. In 1874 Charles H. Burwell came to manage the Minnetonka Mill Company, and he built a Victorian home
on the north bank of Minnehaha Creek (Minnetonka Boulevard at McGinty Road East) for his family. The Charles H. Burwell House
is now on the National Register of Historic Places
and is owned by the city. There were two other mills in Minnetonka. The St. Alban's Mill, which was less than 1 miles (2 km) downstream from Minnetonka Mills on Minnehaha Creek, operated as a flour mill from 1874 to 1881. A grist mill built on Purgatory Creek was washed out in a flood shortly after construction. Minnetonka Mills, with its post office
and port for Lake Minnetonka, was the principal business and trading center for a large area until the 1870s.
Between 1883 and 1956 the area within the original 36 square miles (93.2 km²) township grew smaller as Wayzata
, Hopkins
, Deephaven
, Woodland
and St. Louis Park incorporated or annexed portions of Minnetonka. Excellent transportation facilities to Hopkins and Minneapolis began to transform Minnetonka township's economy. Train service to Minneapolis had been available since the 1880s and in 1905 streetcar service began. The attraction to become a city wage earner was great and rapid transit made it possible. In 1956, as a maneuver to prevent neighboring villages from continuing to annex portions of Minnetonka township, residents in 1956 voted to establish a village out of the remaining 28 square miles (72.5 km²) and the area was incorporated as Minnetonka Village. However, Minnetonka Village lasted only thirteen years. The complexities and the heavy demands of administering a rapidly developing community required professional management and larger representation. In 1969 a city charter was approved to serve the 35,000 residents.
Ridgedale Center
is located in Minnetonka.
are in Minnetonka. The headquarters of Cargill
are located in Minnetonka and are in the Wayzata Post Office
area. Founded in 1865, it is now the largest privately held corporation
in the U.S. in terms of revenue. Other companies based in Minnetonka include uniform company AmeriPride Services
.
When the Media Play
chain, existed, its headquarters were in Minnetonka.
s within Minnetonka's city limits:
has its headquarters in the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka. In addition the system operates the Minnetonka Library.
and six council members. Of the six council members, two are elected at large and the remaining four are elected from wards. The council exercises the legislative power of the city and determines all matters of policy. It has the responsibility of basic decisions for the community, including appointment of the city manager
. The city manager is responsible for putting council policies into effect and administering affairs of city government.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Minnetonka Post Office and the Minnetonka Carrier Annex.
, represented by Republican
Erik Paulsen
.
- runner-up on the 14th season of America's Next Top Model
Tom Petters
- convicted of running a 3.65 billion dollar Ponzi scheme.
Kris Humphries
- NBA is currently playing for the New Jersey Nets. Recently married reality TV personality Kim Kardashian.
wrote (and recorded on Ampico
piano roll) a short piano work called By The Waters Of Minnetonka.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 51,301 people, 21,393 households, and 14,097 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,893.0 persons per square mile (729.7/km²). There were 22,228 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile (316.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.40% White, 1.50% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population. 24.7% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.8% Norwegian, 9.1% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 8.2% Swedish and 6.7% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 21,393 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households are made up of single individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
According to the 2000 US Census, the median income for a household in the city was $83,437.
History
Since the mid-19th century Minnetonka has evolved from heavily wooded wilderness through extensive farming and thriving industrialization to its present primarily residential suburban character.The Dakota
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
and Ojibway Indians were the first people to settle in the area. They believed the land around Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Throughout its recorded history, the lake has been a resort destination. It is located west-southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lake is an irregular shape with numerous bays and islands which make up about of shoreline...
(minne meaning water and tonka meaning big) was the legendary home of an extinct race. The first recorded exploration of the area by European settlers was in 1822, when a group from newly constructed Fort Snelling made its way up Minnehaha Creek (then known as Brown's Creek or Falls Creek) to the lake. In 1851 the Dakotah sold the area including Minnetonka to the United States with the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was a treaty signed on July 23, 1851, between the United States government and Sioux Indian bands in Minnesota Territory by which the Sioux ceded territory. The treaty was instigated by Alexander Ramsey, the first governor of Minnesota Territory, and Luke Lea,...
. The first census, the Territorial Census of 1857, lists 41 households. Twenty-nine of the heads of households are listed as farmers. The occupations of the remaining twelve are associated with the operations of Minnetonka Mill and a nearby hotel.
In 1852 a claim was staked on Minnehaha Creek near McGinty Road. The sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
that was constructed in the thick woods of maple, oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, elm, red cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana is a species of juniper native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, east of the Great Plains...
and basswood was the first privately-operated mill in Minnesota west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Oak timbers from this mill were used to build the first suspension bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls in 1853. The settlement of Minnetonka Mills that grew up around the mill was the first permanent European-American settlement west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. In 1855 a two-story sawmill was constructed with a furniture factory on the second floor. A building for varnish
Varnish
Varnish is a transparent, hard, protective finish or film primarily used in wood finishing but also for other materials. Varnish is traditionally a combination of a drying oil, a resin, and a thinner or solvent. Varnish finishes are usually glossy but may be designed to produce satin or semi-gloss...
ing furniture was built on the south side of the creek, at the present Bridge Street. Production consisted mainly of chairs and bedsteads. The Minnetonka Republican at St. Anthony published a short article describing the area. The February 12, 1857 issue said:
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
on the north bank of Minnehaha Creek (Minnetonka Boulevard at McGinty Road East) for his family. The Charles H. Burwell House
Charles H. Burwell House
The Charles H. Burwell House is a house in Minnetonka, Minnesota associated with Charles H. Burwell, the secretary and manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company located on Minnehaha Creek. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
is now on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and is owned by the city. There were two other mills in Minnetonka. The St. Alban's Mill, which was less than 1 miles (2 km) downstream from Minnetonka Mills on Minnehaha Creek, operated as a flour mill from 1874 to 1881. A grist mill built on Purgatory Creek was washed out in a flood shortly after construction. Minnetonka Mills, with its post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
and port for Lake Minnetonka, was the principal business and trading center for a large area until the 1870s.
Between 1883 and 1956 the area within the original 36 square miles (93.2 km²) township grew smaller as Wayzata
Wayzata, Minnesota
Wayzata is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, a western suburb of Minneapolis. Wayzata came into existence in the center of Chief Shakopee's Indian village.-Early settlement:...
, Hopkins
Hopkins, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,145 people, 8,224 households, and 3,741 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,205.9 people per square mile . There were 8,390 housing units at an average density of 2,058.2 pe square mile...
, Deephaven
Deephaven, Minnesota
Deephaven is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It is 16 miles from Minneapolis. The population was 3,642 at the 2010 Census, down from 3,853 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Woodland
Woodland, Minnesota
Woodland is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, with lake shore property on Lake Minnetonka. The population was 437 at the 2010 census...
and St. Louis Park incorporated or annexed portions of Minnetonka. Excellent transportation facilities to Hopkins and Minneapolis began to transform Minnetonka township's economy. Train service to Minneapolis had been available since the 1880s and in 1905 streetcar service began. The attraction to become a city wage earner was great and rapid transit made it possible. In 1956, as a maneuver to prevent neighboring villages from continuing to annex portions of Minnetonka township, residents in 1956 voted to establish a village out of the remaining 28 square miles (72.5 km²) and the area was incorporated as Minnetonka Village. However, Minnetonka Village lasted only thirteen years. The complexities and the heavy demands of administering a rapidly developing community required professional management and larger representation. In 1969 a city charter was approved to serve the 35,000 residents.
Ridgedale Center
Ridgedale Center
Ridgedale Center is a large regional shopping mall in Minnetonka, Minnesota a western suburb of the Twin Cities. Built in 1974, it is owned and operated by General Growth Properties and anchored by JCPenney, Macy's Women's and Childrens, Macy's Men's and Home, and Sears. Ridgedale Center was...
is located in Minnetonka.
Economy
The headquarters of Carlson CompaniesCarlson Companies
Carlson is a privately held international corporation in the hotel, restaurant, and travel industries. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, near Minneapolis, Carlson brands and services, including franchised operations, employ more than 170,000 people in more than 150 countries and territories...
are in Minnetonka. The headquarters of Cargill
Cargill
Cargill, Incorporated is a privately held, multinational corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Founded in 1865, it is now the largest privately held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue. If it were a public company, it would rank, as of 2011, number 13 on the Fortune 500,...
are located in Minnetonka and are in the Wayzata Post Office
Wayzata Post Office
Wayzata Post Office is the name given to a section of western Hennepin County, Minnesota, that lies within the 55391 ZIP code, which is assigned to the Wayzata Post Office. The area surrounds eastern Lake Minnetonka...
area. Founded in 1865, it is now the largest privately held corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
in the U.S. in terms of revenue. Other companies based in Minnetonka include uniform company AmeriPride Services
AmeriPride Services
AmeriPride Services is one of the five largest uniform rental and linen supply companies in North America privately owned and actively managed by the founding family. AmeriPride is a multi-national organization operating over 190 production facilities and service centers throughout the United...
.
When the Media Play
Media Play
Media Play was a chain of retail stores founded in 1992 by Musicland that sold movies on video, DVDs, music, Electronics, video games, books, and games in the United States. Each store essentially contained a book store, a movie store, a music store, and a video game store under one roof. At...
chain, existed, its headquarters were in Minnetonka.
Public schools
The city of Minnetonka is covered by three independent school districts. The Hopkins School District, which encompasses the central and eastern part of Minnetonka; the Minnetonka School District, in the western part of city south of Lake Minnetonka; and the Wayzata School District, which covers an area along the northern boundary of the city. Some students attend public schools in other school districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open enrollment statute.| Public Schools in Minnetonka (Minnetonka School District) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School | Junior High School | Senior High School |
| Clear Springs Elementary | Minnetonka Middle School East | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka High School Minnetonka High School is a public comprehensive high school that is located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. With almost 3,000 students, it is the 3rd largest high school in Minnesota behind neighboring Wayzata and Eden Prarie high schools... |
| Groveland Elementary | Minnetonka Middle School West | |
| Scenic Heights Elementary | ||
| Deephaven Elementary School | ||
| Excelsior Elementary School | ||
| Minnewashta Elementary School | ||
| Public Schools in Minnetonka (Hopkins School District) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Schools | Junior High School | Senior High School |
| Gatewood Elementary | Hopkins West Junior High | Hopkins High School Hopkins High School Hopkins High School is a public high school located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis. It offers classes for grades 10, 11, and 12. Hopkins High School is part of the Hopkins School District 270 and draws students from the city of Hopkins, central and eastern parts of... |
| Glen Lake Elementary | Hopkins North Junior High | |
L.H. Tanglen Elementary |
Private schools
There are three private and parochial schoolParochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
s within Minnetonka's city limits:
- Accell Academy, an accredited privatePrivate schoolPrivate schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
college preparatory schoolUniversity-preparatory schoolA university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
serving grades KKindergartenA kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
-12 - Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, preschool through eighth gradeEighth gradeEighth grade is a year of education in the United States, Canada, Australia and other nations. Students are usually 13 - 14 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades...
- Minnetonka Christian Academy
Public libraries
The Hennepin County LibraryHennepin County Library
Hennepin County Library is a library system serving the entire population of Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. The Minneapolis Public Library, a separate system for Minneapolis, existed from its founding by T. B. Walker in 1885 until January 2008...
has its headquarters in the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka. In addition the system operates the Minnetonka Library.
Government
The City Council of Minnetonka consists of the mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and six council members. Of the six council members, two are elected at large and the remaining four are elected from wards. The council exercises the legislative power of the city and determines all matters of policy. It has the responsibility of basic decisions for the community, including appointment of the city manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
. The city manager is responsible for putting council policies into effect and administering affairs of city government.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Minnetonka Post Office and the Minnetonka Carrier Annex.
Politics
Minnetonka is located in Minnesota's 3rd congressional districtMinnesota's 3rd congressional district
Minnesota's 3rd congressional district is one of the most affluent in the state, encompassing the suburbs of Hennepin County to the north, west, and south of Minneapolis...
, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Erik Paulsen
Erik Paulsen
Erik Paulsen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives...
.
Notable people
Raina HeinRaina Hein
Raina Hein is an American fashion model. She is best known as the runner-up of the fourteenth cycle of America's Next Top Model.-Early life:...
- runner-up on the 14th season of America's Next Top Model
Tom Petters
Tom Petters
Thomas Joseph Petters is an American business man and the former CEO and chairman of Petters Group Worldwide. Petters resigned his position as CEO on September 29, 2008, amid mounting criminal investigations...
- convicted of running a 3.65 billion dollar Ponzi scheme.
Kris Humphries
Kris Humphries
Kris Nathan Humphries is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2011.-Early life:...
- NBA is currently playing for the New Jersey Nets. Recently married reality TV personality Kim Kardashian.
Music
Zez ConfreyZez Confrey
Edward Elzear "Zez" Confrey was an American composer and performer of piano music. His most noted works were "Kitten on the Keys," and "Dizzy Fingers."-Life and career:...
wrote (and recorded on Ampico
Ampico
American Piano Company was an American piano manufacturer located in East Rochester, New York, which was known from the beginning for the production of high quality player pianos. The company was established in 1908 under the aegis of Wm. Knabe & Co...
piano roll) a short piano work called By The Waters Of Minnetonka.