A Little History of Coon Rapids

East River Road/Coon Rapids Blvd. closely follows one of the oldest trails in this part of the country. In 1835 the road was laid for military use and it was later used as a trade route from St. Paul to Pembina. This road was found in 1847 when Anoka Township was being surveyed. Agriculture was the first industry in the Coon Creek area. The first brick yard was organized in 1881 and was known as the Anoka Pressed Brick and Terra Cotta Company. In 1898 the Great Northern Development Company proposed building a dam with a power generating plant below the Coon Creek Rapids. Construction began in 1912 and it wasn't long until a small city sprung up on the shores of the Mississippi River. By 1914 streets had been laid out, the power plant was operational and the population grew to just over 1,000 people. Coon Creek Dam marks the head of navigation on the Upper Mississippi River waterway.

Anoka Township was renamed Coon Creek Rapids and over the years this was shortened to Coon Rapids. In October of 1952 the township was incorporated as a village and in June of 1959 the Village of Coon Rapids became the City of Coon Rapids. Coon Rapids was named for the raccoons that were found in the rapids of Coon Creek. If you look closely at the Coon Rapids logo you will spot the raccoon, who was originally called Rocky Raccoon. The population has grown to over 61,000 people and is the largest city in Anoka County. Today that power plant is the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Coon Rapids is 23 square miles offering many regional parks, a golf course, indoor ice areans, outdoor ice rinks, softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, swimming pools, and a major shopping development. Coon Rapids also hosts the Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Almost 3% of the land is water; which include Cenaiko Lake and Crooked Lake. Sand Creek Park hosts the Independence Day Fireworks annually. Many sliding hills around the city invite children and adults for free winter fun and there are several playgrounds.

Coon Rapids is a short 20-25 minute commute to downtown Minneapolis and now boasts Coon Rapids Riverdale Station served by the Northstar Commuter Rail line which opened in November 2009. For more information you can go the the City of Coon Rapids official website.