Prior Lake

History
Prior Lake is one of the oldest southern metro cities. It was incorporated as a village in 1851. A water-driven gristmill was built in 1857.  The first Store and Post Office, were built just east of the mill near the shore of the lake in an area named Maple Glen. In 1870’s when the village became a railroad town it was named Prior Lake in honor of Charles H. Prior, who in 1871-86 was Superintendent of the Minnesota Division of the Milwaukee RR.

Construction in the village began in 1872 with a grain elevator and depot. Fred Leudke came to build and operate a blacksmith shop. Soon the first saloon was opened. The first hotel, started in a residence as was common in the era, was begun in 1884.

Prior Lake became a northern summer resort.

The Grainwood Hotel was open in 1879, catering to wealthy socialites. Hotel offered accommodations for about 150 guests. It maintained its own horse-drawn bus, seating ten persons, bringing travelers from morning and evening trains. Hotel’s sailboats, catamarans, and canoe were a common sight on Prior Lake. It bloomed in it’s glory till 1920 when northern resorts offered better prospects to summer travelers. The fire of 1923 burned Grainwood Hotel to the ground. It was never rebuilt.

From 1870 to the 1920’s there was a little growth in Prior Lake. It was a farming community with attractions of lake shores and Grainwood Hotel for summer residents. From the 1920’s to the 1950’s, Prior Lake was a typical small American town. Since 1960 Prior Lake has experienced steady growth. Today it’s a Twin Cities suburb with over 1,967 businesses and Highway 13 development motivating the growth.

State Minnesota
County Scott
Founded 1725
Incorporated 1891