Guide to Spring Park Minnesota

Spring Park is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It is located on Lake Minnetonka and has over 4 miles (6.4 km) of shoreline while being less than 1/2 square mile in area. County 15 and County 51 are two of the main routes in the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), of which, 0.4 square miles (0.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (41.94%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,717 people, 930 households, and 321 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,724.3 people per square mile (1,841.5/km²). There were 983 housing units at an average density of 2,704.7/sq mi (1,054.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.51% White, 1.40% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 930 households out of which 11.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.3% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 65.4% were non-families. 55.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.63 and the average family size was 2.43.

In the city the population was spread out with 9.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 31.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,071, and the median income for a family was $42,969. Males had a median income of $40,750 versus $33,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,290. About 8.0% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The first abstract of lands in Spring Park, dated 1850, showed Wm. Byers owned 156.24 acres of land which included Spring Park. Spring Park Bay was originally named Byers Bay. John Carmen laid claim to land in Spring Park (and Casco Point) around 1853. Spring Park was laid out in 1880 and contained 148 acres of land. It was so named because the area was known as a spa.

James J. Hill's Great Northern Railroad was extended to Spring Park around 1882. During Minnetonka's glory days in the 1880s, over fifteen trains a day pulled into Spring Park bringing hundreds of tourists. The Lake Minnetonka White Line Transportation Company boasted the Steamer Excelsior to be the fastest, largest, safest, and most comfortable steamer on the lake and would meet all the trains to help disburse people to their destination around the lake.

The historic Hotel Del Otero was built in 1887. It was located where the Minnetonka Mist is on Shoreline Drive. The Del Otero cottages were on the property to the east of the Mist. The Casino was located on the Water Patrol property. The name "Del Otero" means "Hotel of the Mound" in Spanish. The proprietor was G.F. Hopkins. The hotel burned down in 1945. Spring Park became a favorite lake resort area boasting a dancing pavilion, baseball park, and a playground that were unequaled at the time.

Historically, Spring Park was the center of Native American ceremonial grounds. One of these mounds was located where the Presbyterian Homes is today. Another location is across the railroad tracks on West Arm Road and still another location is here the Hotel Del Otero used to be and this location contained two or three mounds. All of the mounds have been leveled making way for new construction over the years.

Minnetonka Telephone Company had lines going into Spring Park around 1900. In 1917, Spring Park School District 87 consolidated with several neighboring communities to a new building in Mound. Spring Park incorporated to a village in 1951 containing 82 1/2 acres of land. The population at that time was 221.

Spring Park is a statutory city and is operated under a "Plan A" government with a Mayor and four Council persons and a seven member advisory Planning Commission. The first Mayor was Hilda Danielson and her term covered the years 1951 and 1952. The first Police Chief was her husband, Ed Danielson. They resided at 3896/3900 Sunset Drive (lots 21 &22).

In 1963, six homes at the east end of Del Otero on the north side of the street, were annexed from the City of Orono. This was approved by the MN Municipal Commission.

In 1964, assessments for municipal water and sewer were made and the Public Utility Department was created. The first rates established were: minimum rate for both water and sewer were $10.00 each; water - $10.00 for first 10,000 gallons and $.60 per 1000 gallons over 10,000; sewer -$10.00 for first 10,000 gallons and $.30 per 1000 gallons over 10,000. Sewer prices increased when sewers were diverted from the area in 1969 and cities had to start paying for the discharge service.

The city owned and operated a municipal off-sale liquor store until it was sold in December 1967. The winning bid was for $13,000 on a contract for deed basis at 7% interest to be paid in a maximum of 14 years. The liquor store was located on Shoreline Drive east of Sunset Drive.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol headquarters was originally built in 1968, torn down in 1996, and rebuilt in 1997. An artesian well is located at the boat launch area. Prior to the Water Patrol, the city owned the property and maintained a public beach.

The first city office was located on Park Lane. The present building housing the City Hall was built in or around 1906. The building, formerly known as the Old Spring Park School, was purchased by the Spring Park Improvement Association for $1 from School District 277. It was then turned over to the village for a hall and a civic center in 1964. It was moved to it's present location on Warren Avenue from 2420 Dunwoody Avenue in Orono and designated as a village historical site. However, it cannot be placed on the Minnesota Historical Register because it has been moved from its original location.

In October 1975, the city paid Burlington Northern Railroad $3500 for a 7,700 square foot section of land connecting the eastern portion of West Arm Road to its central counterpart beyond Lord Fletcher's Apartments. This was the first step uniting the two roads and closing off the railroad crossing on Interlachen Road across from the city office. This crossing was considered dangerous particularly in the winter.

SPRING PARK, a city located on a peninsula on the west end of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior Township, incorporated as a village on August 20, 1951. Its post office name was spelled Springpark, 1896-1949, when changed to its present form; it had a station of the Great Northern Railway.

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Spring Park Minnesota Community Guide