Maple Grove got started with the Winnebago Indians they were the only inhabitants of the Maple Grove area until 1851 when Louis Gervais arrived and settled in the area. More and more people began to settle here so that by 1855 the settlement of farms and construction of homes, churches, and the first town hall were underway. Children were taught in a vacant house until the first school house was built around 1860. Several of the early school houses are in existence today, remodeled as private homes. Early businesses and agriculture in Maple Grove included potato growing, creameries and saw mills. By 1915, a "commercial center" existed that included general stores, a Great Northern train depot and a cheese factory.
Town meetings from 1858 until the purchase of the first town hall in 1863 were held in various private residences in Maple Grove. In 1877 the town supervisors ordered the construction of a new town hall and sold the original structure to the highest bidder for $23.00. This facility served the people of Maple Grove until it was leveled by a tornado in 1939. The third town hall was constructed and still stands today, being used as a community building. The City Hall on Fernbrook Lane was built north of the original town hall, and the first City Council meeting was held there in 1975. Now, as many of you know, the doors of the Government Center/Public Safety Facility opened in October 2000 and should accommodate City Offices for at least 30 years.
A town board consisting of three members governed Maple Grove until 1954 when the City became incorporated as a village with a Mayor and Council of four. In 1974 Maple Grove became a statutory City with the same Mayor/Council format.
Most of Maple Grove's growth has occurred since the Second World War. The population in 1880 was 1,155. In 1950, population had increased to 1,778. In 1990 Maple Grove's population was 38,756 and by the end of 2005, it was over 55,000 and still growing!
Maple Grove is one of the fastest growing communities in the metro area, and City services are keeping pace with residential and commercial development needs. Acres of park land and a trail system are available for the enjoyment of Maple Grove residents. A comprehensive land use plan provides for future growth and ensures that the quality of life in Maple Grove will be maintained.
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