Dakota County
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/About/Overview/default.htm
Founded: It was founded it the year 1849
History:
• Prior to the European settlement, Dakota county was a part of an expansive territory of the Dakota tribe
• Lands west of the Mississippi river became annexed from France to the Unite States in 1805 because of the Louisiana Purchase
• Dakota county became one of the nine original counties created by the Minnesota territory legislature in 1849
• Dakota county holds3 of the 4 major rivers draining from the State of Minnesota
• The development of the county has had tremendous influence from the proximity to the rivers
Population: There are approximately 400,000 people residing in Dakota county. It grew by about 30% between the year 1990 and 2000
Cities:
Apple Valley
Burnsville
Eagan
Farmington
Hastings
Inver Grove Heights
Lakeville
Lilydale
Mendota
Mendota Heights
Northfield
Rosemount
South St. Paul
Sunfish Lake
West St. Paul
Area: 593 sq. miles
Recreational opportunities:
County Fair
Lebanon Hills regional park
Spring Lake Park
Big Rivers Regional Trail
Dakota woods dog park
Parks
Crystal Lake beach
Thank to http://www.co.dakota.mn.us for providing the information
Information gathered by Laura Baratto, Sesquicentennial Fellow
Minnesota Sesquicentennial 