BURNSVILLE COMMUNITY GUIDE 2024
4 | BURNSVILLE | Community Guide 2024
Burnsville has a rich history
The following was part of an exhibit celebrating Burnsville ’ s 50 year history in 2014 .
On Aug . 23 , 1961 , Township of Burnsville residents learned that their neighbor to the north – the City of Bloomington – had voted to annex the township ’ s largest source of tax revenue , the Black Dog Power Plant . Two days later , nearly 500 Burnsville residents flocked to the town hall to protest what many described as a “ land grab ” that would have a significant negative impact on Burnsville , and northern Dakota County . Over the next two-and- a-half years , the “ Battle for Black Dog ” waged on in courtrooms – until April 1964 , when the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of Burnsville .
Two months later , Burnsville officially became an incorporated City ( referred to as the Village of Burnsville at the time ). Having won the Supreme Court Battle for Black Dog , Burnsville residents voted on June 17 , 1964 , and the Village officially incorporated the next day . Becoming an incorporated City meant developing an official City Government .
Burnsville ’ s original Town Hall was located on County Road 5 in the Ames Construction Building . In 1967 , a new Village Hall was built at 1313 E . Highway 13 ( the current location of Eden Baptist Church ). The current City Hall and Police Station at 100 Civic Center Parkway was completed in 1989 .
In July 1964 , former Minneapolis Police Inspector Ed
Photo contributed by Mick Richards
Farrell was hired as Chief to start the new City ’ s Police Department .
Until 1968 , Burnsville ’ s fire service was provided by the Savage volunteer Fire Department .
As the need for fire protection grew , Burnsville began the experiment of a “ Public Safety Department ,” in which members were trained in both police and fire protection .
Public Safety Officers worked rotating shifts between police and fire work . Rather than typical uniforms , officers wore dark blue blazers , shirts , ties and French blue pants . The experiment lasted for 13 years , until the Public Safety Department was separated into individual Police and Fire Departments in 1981 .
As a new and rapidly growing City , Burnsville ’ s first City Councils made planning for the future a high priority .
The 1965 Comprehensive Guide Plan called for new zoning maps to prepare for future growth , regulations on subdivisions , laws regarding street development and utilities , a long-range budget plan and active citizen participation .
Burnsville ’ s population more than doubled from 8,054 in 1964 , to 19,940 by 1970 . This was due to ample open space available for both residential and commercial developments .
More about the Burnsville Historical Society is at http :// www . burnsvillehistory . org .