Independence Township was organized on April 11, 1858, and became the Village of Independence on January 8, 1957, and the City of Independence on April 9, 1974.
Independence still offers the advantages of rural life-styles to its residents even though it is within the Twin Cities Metropolitan District. Located on the western edge of Hennepin County, we are a city of 3,700.
Independence is loaded with surprises that remain undiscovered by many people. For example, did you know that the Polo Grounds is located here and that the Twin Cities Polo Club plays games nearly every Sunday afternoon during the summer? It is a magnificent place to take a picnic lunch, to sit in the shade and to watch these athletic horses and players. It was
the home of the popular Polo Classic that helped raise over $2,000,000 for the Children's Home Society during the past 18 years.
On the northeast side of our community is beautiful Lake Independence. The popular YMCA camp, Ihduhapi < www.campihduhapi.org >, is located on the lake. Public access is available through Baker Park.
Some of the most beautiful horse farms in the Midwest can be found in the western part of the city. The famous Zuhrah Shrine Horse Patrol has its farm facility in the northwest section of the city. Not far from the Shriner’s facility, buffalo can be seen grazing in a pasture.
Pioneer Creek Golf Course is one of the metropolitan area’s best golfing bargains. It was designed by Joel Goldstrand and is open to the public at very reasonable prices. You’ll have to cross Pioneer Creek at least 7 times when you play 18 holes on this course.
Windsong Farm Golf Club, a private golf facility in the southwestern corner of Independence, was ranked by the Star-Tribune as one of Minnesota's top five courses. The golf course was designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought and constructed by the Glenn Rehbein companies. It opened in 2004 and received immediate acclaim from Golf Digest Magazine.
Pioneer Cemetery is right along County Road 6, immediately across from Pioneer Creek Golf Course. It’s a very old, historic burial ground. It’s believed that a wagon trail, used by westward venturing pioneers, went right by the little piece of land and that some of the pioneers who died on the journey are buried there. The city now cares for the small historic cemetery. We also maintain a small city museum in our old city hall building, which is very close to our present, modern facility.
On County Road 90, just north of Highway 12, you will find the entrance to our beautiful Pioneer Creek Park. We are in the process of implementing plans to make this lovely 50 acre site a wonderful community park and recreational area.
Here in our little community you will find a small tavern where you can eat what some local magazines have called “the best hamburger in the Twin Cities.” You can also find several wonderful fresh produce stands selling the finest of homegrown vegetables. And, there are a few quaint and unique gift shops scattered around the city.
Independence is a “gem” of a rural city in the heart of an exploding metropolis. It’s dotted with pretty, little farms, lovely and unique homes, attractive churches, lakes, ponds, rolling hills, wetlands and large wooded areas. Two major Three River Parks– Rebecca and Baker – can be accessed directly from Independence. The popular Luce Line recreation trail crosses the south side of our community. Loretto, a little city with a number of quaint and excellent restaurants and taverns, is just to our northeast. The city of Delano, with its convenient shopping center, is located on our west boundary. The pretty, quiet, little city of Maple Plain is just to our east. Medina and Orono also lie immediately east and Minnetrista is to our south.
We’ve only scratched the surface in this attempt to introduce you to beautiful, rural Independence. We’re proud of our community and we’re working to keep it a wonderful place to live.
