1952 – Lakeville Public Schools was reorganized by consolidating 17 country schools to form one large district. Once consolidated, the district had 33 teachers and 700 students.
1963 – Valley Park, originally called College Park, starts development with five houses selling for $ 16,000-18,000.
1967 – Lakeville Township and Lakeville Village merged to form the City of Lakeville. Industry and growth created both the City of Lakeville and Pan-O-Prog in 1967.
1967 – Airlake Industrial Park begins development. Over 36 farmers sold land and 1,445 acres were purchased for industrial development and an airport.
1969 – Aronson Park is purchased by the City. A flagpole was donated by the Aronson family in June 1973 in memory of Leo Aronson, longtime mayor of Lakeville.
1972 – Ritter Farm, once named Oak Hills Farm, was purchased by the City of Lakeville. The second $ 100,000 bond passed in 1972 and the 313-acre farm became Ritter Farm Park. The park is a beloved treasure of hikers, picnickers and birdwatchers alike.
1974 – Antlers Park is purchased by City.
1975 – Marianne Curry is the first woman elected to City government.
1978 – Lakeville celebrates its Centennial.
1980 – City Hall and Fire Station # 1 located at 207th Street and Hughs Ave. are relocated to accommodate expansion of Despatch Industries. Fire Station # 1 is constructed at the NE corner of Holyoke and County Road 50. City Hall leases space in the former bank building located at Holyoke and 208th Street.
1984- Lakeville Commercial Club becomes The Lakeville Chamber of Commerce.
1985 – Cities of Apple Valley, Lakeville and Farmington entered into a joint powers agreement to operate and manage emergency medical services( ALF Ambulance).
1986 – The Sea Girt Inn, on the north side of Orchard Lake, is destroyed by fire during an extensive remodeling project.
1986 – City purchases land for development of Fairfield Business Campus.
1987- City sells On-sale liquor store located at 207th / Holyoke Ave. to John and Jerry Engren DBA J & J Holding. Bar and Restaurant renamed“ Babes”
1989 – City Hall moves from the downtown bank location( now Tapestry Coffee) to their new building, located on Holyoke and County Road 50, its current location today.
1992 – Land of Amazement, a wooden play area, is constructed at North Park.
1992 – The City of Lakeville, Lakeville HRA, Lakeville Independent School District 194, Lakeville Hockey Assn and Lakeville Community Corporation enter into an Agreement for the financing, construction and operation of the community arenas.
1994 – Lakeville Ames Arena construction completed and commences operations.
1996- Lakeville Convention & Visitors Bureau was established as the tourism marketing arm for the Chamber of Commerce.
2006- Opening of the Holiday Inn & Suites in the location of the closed Super 8.
2016 – Ritter Farm Dog Park, Lakeville’ s first 5.5-acre dog park, opens to all furry residents and their humans.
2016 – Land of Amazement upgraded at Steve Michaud Park replacing the 24-year old children’ s play area.
2019 – Lakeville Liquors celebrates their 85th Anniversary and announces a new store number four coming in late 2021.
2020 – U. S. Census results show Lakeville is now the largest city in Dakota County( and 9th largest in the 7-county metro) with a population of 69,490.
2020 – The City had a record development activity year, with a total permit valuation of $ 442 million.
2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic results in shutdown of public facilities.
2021 – the City Council approved annexation of 206.94 acres of property from Eureka Township to be added to Lakeville’ s industrial park.
2021 – $ 38 million park bond referendum passes.
2021 – Amazon completed construction of its 750,000-square-foot facility, the largest industrial park building in the city.
2023 – Casperson Park Outdoor Performance Stage opened and is home to Lakeville’ s Community Band.
2024- Antler’ s Park remodel complete, including addition of LBC at the Lake restaurant.
2024 – Lakeville native Regan Smith wins 2 Gold and 3 Silver medals at the 2024 Olympic Games.
2025- Antlers Park Beach voted BEST BEACH by USA Today’ s Readers Choice Awards!
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