City Tour of Andover

Andover's History

The city we know today as Andover was first organized in 1857 under the name “Round Lake Township.” However, in 1860 the name was changed to “Grow Township” in honor of Senator Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania. Senator Grow spoke at a political campaign in Anoka that year, and the town name was changed to reflect Senator Grow because of his strong advocacy of the Union cause. At that time, the population was 330 and included the geographical area we know today as Ham Lake. In fact, the area of Ham Lake was considered a part of Grow Township until 1871.

In 1972, the Grow Township Board of Supervisors recognized that the town was growing at a very rapid rate. They felt a village form of government would provide better services to the community. Board supervisors then voted in favor of proceeding with the incorporation process. The board voted to submit a new name for the village. “Andover Village” was chosen because the name Andover had historical interest. The historical interest, we believe, came from the Andover train station.

You may have heard the popular “train myth” about how Andover received its name. The myth states that a train tipped over in a swamp, and an eyewitness, relaying the incident, said it “went over and over,” thereby naming the city “Andover.” However, research reveals that the name Andover first appeared in an article dated March 14, 1899 in the Anoka County Union Newspaper - before train tracks were ever built in the city.

The article stated that the Eastern Minnesota line of the Great Northern Railway was in the process of constructing railroad tracks from the Coon Creek Cut-off to the North. The railway announced that new railroad stations with mathematical precision were to be located five miles apart from each other. The new stations (from Coon Creek to the North, along the new railroad line) were to be named Andover, Cedar, Bethel, Isanti, Cambridge, Stanchfield, Braham, Grasston, Cornell, and Brook Park. On July 4, 1899, the first train passed through the Andover Station. Where the railway came up with the name Andover still remains unknown.

Andover Village was established in 1972 and then became the City of Andover, a city of the fourth class, in 1974. Today the City of Andover’s population exceeds 26,000, classifying it as a third class city.

The Andover City Center Complex is located at 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW (at the intersection of Crosstown Boulevard and Hanson Boulevard) and is home to the City Offices, Public Works Department, Fire Station #3, and the Senior Center. Andover is served by a full-time Police Department through a contract with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department. A professional volunteer Fire Department also serves the community.

Commercial activities in Andover have increased with construction of a number of new businesses throughout the City. The City is currently marketing Andover Station, a 90-acre redevelopment area (located south of Bunker Lake Boulevard and west of Hanson Boulevard) to attract upscale retail service oriented businesses, offices and restaurants. In addition, the City will be opening another commercial / retail area north of Andover Station. Site development inquiries and economic development opportunities should be directed to the Community Development Director at 763-767-5140.

Andover is part of two of the finest school districts in the state. St. Francis School District #15 covers the northern section of the City, while Anoka-Hennepin School District #11 serves the south four-fifths of the City. Crooked Lake Elementary, Andover Elementary, Rum River Elementary, Oak View Middle School and Andover High School are all located within the City of Andover and are part of School District #11. A private institution, Meadow Creek Christian School, is also located in the City.

On average, 350 new homes are constructed each year, with a wide variety of lot sizes, architectural styles and price ranges. The City has more than 400 acres of community and neighborhood parks. Kelsey Round Lake Park is a 136-acre nature area for hiking, skiing and environmental observation. Other recreational facilities include more than 400 acres of the Anoka County Bunker Hills Regional Park (which is home to the Bunker Beach Waterpark), hiking / biking trails, cross-country skiing trails, camping and other outdoor activities. The Rum River Central Regional Park is located immediately north of Andover on County Road 7.

Andover Links
City of Andover
Anoka-Hennepin School District