Sixty-three thousand five hundred and ninety-nine souls call Coon Rapids home. That’s a lot of stories. But let’s start with one. A story etched in clay.
Coon Rapids Minnesota isn’t just a suburb. It’s a place shaped by industry and river currents. It began along the Red River Ox Cart Trail in 1835. This vital route linked Minneapolis and Anoka. The trail brought more than just trade. It brought the seeds of Coon Rapids’ first industries. The Anoka Pressed Brick and Terra Cotta Company was a major player. Dr DC Dunham founded it in 1881. The clay pit they dug remains. Locals call it the Clay Hole a lasting scar on the landscape a reminder of Coon Rapids’ hardworking past. That trail the very artery of early Coon Rapids is now Coon Rapids Boulevard.
Then came the Coon Rapids Dam. Construction started in 1912. It brought a surge of people. The city’s population topped 1000 for the first time. The dam became a regional power source for the Northern States Power Company. It powered homes and businesses for years. In 1969 the Hennepin County Park Board took over the dam. It transformed into the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. A testament to how things change.
The dam’s construction led to a name change. Anoka Township became Coon Creek Rapids. This was later shortened to the name we know today. Coon Rapids. The city officially incorporated in 1959. It has grown enormously since then. From 14000 people in 1959 to over 62785 in 2022. It’s the 15th largest city in Minnesota.
Before the dam steamboats navigated the Mississippi. They could reach as far north as St Cloud. But the dam changed that forever. Coon Rapids became the river’s northernmost navigable point. The city’s strategic location makes it easy to get around. US Highway 10 and state highways 47 and 610 run through Coon Rapids. The Northstar Commuter Rail adds to its accessibility. It connects Coon Rapids to downtown Minneapolis. This rail line uses the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe a line that stretches from Seattle to Chicago.
Coon Rapids boasts more than just its location. It has strong communities and a diverse economy. Medical device manufacturer RMS Company is here. So is Mary T Inc a healthcare and housing provider. HOM Furniture and several printing and publishing companies also call Coon Rapids home. The city’s largest employers include Mercy Health Allina Health System and Anoka Hennepin School District. Many more companies contribute to the city’s thriving economy. Coon Rapids is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a living breathing community. It’s a place with a past a present and a future. And that future is written not in clay but in the dreams of its residents.