Imagine French-Canadian settlers arriving here long ago. They established a community that would eventually be called Hugo. This city has a unique story. It is a story of railroads, wild rice, and suburban growth.
Hugo is located 18 miles north of downtown Saint Paul. It sits in Washington County. The area was first inhabited by the Mdewakanton Dakota Indians. They gathered wild rice at Rice Lake. Later, French Canadians settled here and established trade.
Originally, Hugo served as a refueling station. This was for the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad. The railroad was later named the Northern Pacific Railway. The community was first called Centerville Station. Eventually, it became Hugo.
There are a couple stories about where the name Hugo came from. Some say it was named after Victor Hugo. He was a famous French novelist. Others believe it was named for Trevanion William Hugo. He was a mayor of Duluth. But, the name Hugo was used by the village post office even before Trevanion Hugo moved from Canada.
Oneka Township surrounds Hugo. It was also named by the French-Canadians. Oneka comes from the Dakota word “onakan.” That means “to strike or knock off rice into a canoe.”
The village was incorporated in 1906. It officially became a city in 1972. After 2000, Hugo grew significantly. It became the thriving suburban city you see today.
Hugo has a total area of 36.02 square miles. Most of it is land, but 2.57 square miles is water. Oneka Lake is the city’s largest lake. Its name also comes from the Dakota word “onakan.”
In May 2008, a tornado hit Hugo. It was an EF3 tornado. The tornado caused significant damage. It destroyed many homes. But, the city has rebuilt and continued to grow.
Today, Hugo is a growing city. It is a blend of history and modern development. The city is near Minneapolis-St. Paul. It offers a mix of suburban and rural living. Hugo is a place where the past and present meet.