Mortgage Loans in Richfield, MN

Early History of Richfield

In the 1820s, some small settlements developed around Fort Snelling. By the late 1830s, the fortress served as a destination for newcomers—lumbermen, missionaries, farmers, traders and travelers—migrating to the borderlands people were now calling “Minisota.” Minnesotan Franklin Steelefirst reached the area in 1837 where he worked as a sutler, selling goods to soldiers.

Fort Snelling’s garrison made up the bulk of the area’s population, along with Henry Sibley and Alexander Faribault’s seventy-five person American Fur Company operation. Other small settlements of traders, farmers, missionaries and refugees began to develop outside the walls of the fort, some with permission, some without. These residents built communities on land that would become known as Richfield.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richfield,_Minnesota

20 Century Richfield History

In 1908 that Richfield became a village. From 1908 until 1950, Richfield’s local government consisted of a president, three trustees, and a city clerk. On November 7, 1950, residents voted for a city manager form of government, meaning the city had a Mayor, four council members, and one City Manager. This is still the form of government used today. Richfield’s first mayor was Clarence Christian, who began serving in 1951, but served as president under the old format dating back to 1948. By the late 1940s, the city’s population started increasing rapidly as farmland was sold to developers who were building homes for veterans returning from World War II. In 1955, the Richfield Chamber of Commerce was formed and has been deeply involved in the development, as well as the redevelopment, of the community since that time.

Over the years, populations of all nearby communities increased and after World War II, Richfield flourished with commuters to Twin Cities jobs. As of 2019, Richfield has a population of about 35,000 residents who live within seven square miles of neighborhoods, parks, and shops.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richfield,_Minnesota

Geography of Richfield

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.01 square miles (18.16 km²), of which 6.87 square miles (17.79 km²) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) is water.

Interstates 35W and 494 and Minnesota State Highways 62 and 77 are four of the main routes in the city. Other main routes include 66th Street.

The majority of the 10,000 single-family homes were constructed in the 1950s, and the 5,000 apartments date from the 1960s and early 1970s. The Richfield Rediscovered Housing Program has established an environment of change in the community as it encourages home remodeling, expansion, and reconstruction. The program is gradually changing the face of Richfield’s residential neighborhoods, upgrading them from small, post-WWII styles to larger homes.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richfield,_Minnesota

Recreation in Richfield

Richfield has more than 450 acres (1.8 km²) of parkland, 23 neighborhood parks and a nature preserve. Wood Lake Nature Center is a 150-acre (0.6 km²) park operated by the city of Richfield that features wetlands, walking paths and an interpretive center. When the Nature Center opened in 1971, it was one of the first urban nature centers in the United States, and is currently home to more than 200 different kinds of birds and 30 mammals.

Richfield’s Ice Arena has two full-size indoor skating rinks. Hockey games, figure skating, broom ball games, open skating, and community events all take place in this facility. Located near the ice arena is Richfield’s outdoor pool. Renovated in 2003, the swim complex features a 50-meter competitive pool, wading pool, and a 28-foot (9 m) double waterslide.

2017-2019 brought a major overhaul of 66th street to improve the look of the city and increase recreation opportunities, with new, dedicated bike and walking lanes for pedestrians.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richfield,_Minnesota