The Jonathan "new town" development within Chaska brought new land, new jobs and new people to the community. With that expansion came the introduction of the Jonathan New Town design concept in 1966.
The expansion of the seven-county metropolitan area reached Chaska in the 1960s. The city retained its small-town image until the 1950s when the transition to a metropolitan community began. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Chaska's population averaged about 2,000 and the nature of the city remained unchanged. Highway 212, and Minnesota State Highway 41 are four of the main routes in Chaska. The downtown portion of Chaska lies on the Minnesota River.Ĭhaska Boulevard (Old Highway 212), Pioneer Trail, U.S. Geography Īccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.77 square miles (46.02 km 2), of which 16.97 square miles (43.95 km 2) is land and 0.80 square miles (2.07 km 2) is water. Curling team, announced Hazeltine would be the first American venue to host a second Ryder Cup in 2028. In September 2016, Chaska hosted the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course, and in March of 2018, the PGA of America, with help from the U.S. National polls named Chaska the eighth-best city in the United States in 2007 and 20th best in 2009. With the advent of the 20th century came other industries, including the processing of beet sugar and other agricultural products flour making, butter making, the canning of peas, corn, and tomatoes, and the curing of sauerkraut and pickles. Louis Railway was built through town in 1873 that rapid expansion began. Bricks were shipped by boat to Saint Paul and, although the city grew as a result of steamboat trade, it was not until the Minneapolis and St.
By the 1880s, as a result of the clay resources, Chaska was a thriving brick manufacturing center. Īn abundance of high quality clay led to the start of brick making in 1857. Chaska was incorporated as a village in 1871 and, by special legislative charter, as a city in 1891. In the same year, construction began on the original Carver County Courthouse located where the post office and KleinBank now stand in downtown Chaska. In 1857, the townsite was platted by the Shaska Company. Fuller purchased the "Shaska" townsite from Holmes in 1852. The name "Chaska" is derived from a Dakota word often given as a name to the first born male child. Among the earliest was Thomas Andrew Holmes who, in August 1851, claimed a 20-acre (81,000 m 2) clearing as the Chaska townsite. Soon after, speculators moved into the new territory. In 1851, the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux officially opened Little Rapids, as Chaska was then known, to settlement. During this time, Jean-Baptiste Faribault established a trading post in Chaska. French Canadian fur traders traveled the waterways, trading with the Dakota in the early 19th century. In 1776, Jonathan Carver explored the lands along the Minnesota River and chronicled his journeys. Although the Indian mounds located in Chaska City Square indicate the immediate area was inhabited years before 1769, the year Chaska's recorded history began. Later, the Dakota (commonly known as the Sioux) were the primary nation in this region known as the Big Woods. The first inhabitants are believed to be the Mound Builders, whose ancient communities are marked by mounds in City Square. Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Chaska was built with the characteristic yellow Chaska brick.Ĭhaska's history reflects the influence of the Native American culture.