Imagine reaching for a cool drink on a hot day. The water tastes pure and refreshing. This is the experience many have sought at the Frederick Miller Spring for over a century.
The Frederick Miller Spring offers a unique experience. It provides fresh spring water free to anyone who visits. Let’s explore the story of this natural spring.
The Frederick Miller Spring’s history stretches back to 1890. William Fredrick channeled the spring water. He piped it to the surface for public use. The Miller family later purchased the spring after Fredrick died. They maintained it privately. They kept it open to the public. Bottlers wanted to market the water but the Millers declined.
In 1968, the Miller family deeded the spring to the city of Eden Prairie. It also included about one-tenth of an acre of land. The city made improvements in 1972 and 2003. The city maintains it as a park amenity. They test the water monthly for bacteria. It has only been closed once due to bacteria since the city took over. The spring looks much as it did in 1890.
The Frederick Miller Spring flows from the Prairie Du Chien Aquifer. The local Mdewakanton called it “minnewaucan”. This means healing water. They valued it for its curative properties. John Heath was the first settler to own the spring in 1855. In 1874, Mary Williams owned it.
The Frederick Miller Spring is located on the east side of Spring Road. That is also known as County Road 4. It is one-quarter mile north of US Highway 212/169.
Cars stream in and out. People fill their jugs with fresh spring water. It is free.
The city of Eden Prairie tests the spring water regularly. They have deemed the water safe to drink. The spring water is free from fluoride and other treatments found in city tap water. Some say that is why it tastes so good. It is cool, crisp, and clean.
The water quality has been tested. Alkalinity is at 240ppm. Arsenic is at 1ppb. Hardness is at 20gpg. Iron is at 0.01ppm. Manganese is at 0.003ppm. Nitrates are at 2.0ppm. The pH is 7.51.
The Frederick Miller Spring continues to offer refreshing water. It stands as a testament to community and nature’s gifts.