City Tour of Richfield


May 11, 1858 is the date on which Congress admitted Minnesota into the Union, and on the same day the early residents of Richfield had their first town meeting.

From farming roots in the 1850's, Richfield added its distinctive identity, history, and life style to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Richfield was named in 1858 for the fertile farm land it encompassed. It was not until 1908 that Richfield became a village. Over the years, populations of all nearby communities increased and after World War II, Richfield flourished with commuters to Twin Cities jobs. In the early days, Richfield extended as far north as Franklin Avenue, included Edina on the west, and extended to the Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers on the east, and to Bloomington on the south. Three annexations by Minneapolis brought the village to 62nd Street, its present north boundary. In 1888, Edina formed a separate community and in 1905 a section of the east to 34th Avenue was requisitioned by Fort Snelling. In 1941 another section of East Richfield went to the airport, and by 1955 all of the Wold-Chamberlain Field (municipal airport) was separated from the village.

From 1908 until 1950, Richfield's local government consisted of a President, three trustees, and a clerk. On November 7, 1950 residents voted for a village 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.

Today, Richfield has a population of about 35,000 residents who live within seven square miles of neighborhoods, parks and shops. In order to remain vital, the community is focusing on commercial and residential redevelopment, taking advantage of its location near major freeways.

Even lying as it does in the middle of an urban area (only ten minutes away by freeway from downtown Minneapolis), Richfield retains a small town flavor. The pace is easy, the streets are clean, City government is accessible, and community spirit runs high. Strong residential neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an established infrastructure and amenities like Wood Lake Nature Center make it a community attractive to all ages.


Richfield Links
City of Richfield
Richfield Schools