City Name: Independence
County: Hennepin
Population: 3,236
Avg. Assessed Mkt Value: $355,060 (2004)
Property Tax: $4,811 (2004)
City Hall: independence.govoffice.com/
See available properties in Independence
About the Community of Independence
Independence township organized April 11, 1858, became the Village of Independence January 8, 1957 and the City of Independence April 9, 1974. Independence continues to offer the advantages of rural life-styles to its residents. It is a city of 3,000 people located on the western edge of Hennepin County.
Independence is loaded with “gems” that remain undiscovered by most 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 – and that it is a magnificent place to take a picnic lunch, to sit in the shade and watch these athletic horses and players? On the first Sunday in August the extremely popular Polo Classic is held at this lovely spot.
On the northeast side of our community one could find beautiful Lake Independence. The popular YMCA camp, Ihduhapi is located on the lake. Public access is available through Baker Park. Lake Sarah and Robina Lake are two of the other attractive lakes within our city limits.
Some of the most beautiful horse farms in the Midwest can be found in the western part of the city. The famous Shriner’s Horse Patrol has its farm facility in the northwest section of our community.
In addition, you could also discover a beautifully groomed llama farm in the very southwest corner of Independence and a buffalo farm in the northwestern quadrant.
Pioneer Creek, lovely, natural and meandering, winds its way southwest across our community from Lake Independence.
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.
WindsongFarm 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. Designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought and constructed by the Glenn Rehbein companies, it opned 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, tiny city hall building very close to our present, modern facility.
Here in our little community you find a small tavern where you could eat what some local magazines have called “the best hamburger in the Twin Cities.” You could 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, and it’s practically undiscovered by the rest of the world. It’s dotted with pretty, little farms, lovely and unique homes, attractive churches, lakes and ponds, rolling hills, wetlands and large wooded areas. Two major parklands – Rebecca Park and Baker Park –can be accessed directly from Independence. The popular Luce Line recreation trail also touches the south side of our community in several places. Loretto, a little community 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 town 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 its involved citizens and we’re working to keep this a wonderful place to live.
