Farmington
Farmington, as its name suggests, was founded as a humble, peaceful, largely rural community on the southern fringe of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Today, the city is a largely residential area. Though today the city has a lot going on, from festivals and fairs to the construction of new parks every year, it still maintains its sense of history, its rural feel, and small-town charm. Great schools, great parks, and great people make for great homes, so buying a house in Farmington ensures a great life for you and your family.
The city has a rich history. Originally named Dakota City after the American Indians who inhabited its area, the city came to be known as Farmington due to its proximity to the name of the city’s popular train station, which was known as the Farmington train station. In 1856, Dakota City journalist wrote of the city, “Farmington is situated on the Vermillion River, about fifteen miles from Hastings. This place is rightly named, for it looks like a village of farms. Good soil, good water, good timer and intelligent citizens is their wealth.” Irving Todd, publisher of the Hastings Conserver, recorded these observations in 1863: “Farmington seems to us to be suitably named, being a vast conglomeration of farms and farm houses. We could not but notice the thrifty look which bespoke the careful husbandman.”
In fact, it wasn’t until recently that the town developed from an entirely rural town into what it is today – an almost entirely residential area. The city is still home to a number of historic sites, and it still holds on to its relaxed, rural feel and charm, but today the city is, with the exception of its downtown commercial area, almost entirely residential. Thus there are an abundance of homes, making buying a home in Farmington both cheap and easy, as there is a large supply of homes for buyers to choose from.
And those who buy a home in Farmington, Minnesota will benefit from not only the abundance and low price tag of homes but also the abundance of parkland. Farmington is home to almost 1,000 acres of recreational parkland, and residents enjoy the huge variety of amenities that the Farmington Parks and Recreation Department affords its residents. From swimming pools and skating rinks to tennis courts and baseball fields, Farmington’s parks offer more variety of amenities than almost any other city in Minnesota. After all, not many other park systems have their own climbing boulder or swimming pools.
On top of all this, the city is only 20 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Those who buy a home in Farmington can commute to nearby Apple Valley for employment, or can commute to Bloomington or to Minneapolis and St. Paul daily and have a commute under 40 minutes each day. Alternatively, Farmington is home to an industrial Kemps packing plant and an Air Traffic Router, and many Farmington residents find employment through the city’s schooling system.
So with the number of employment options for residents, on top of the city’s sense of historic pride, its abundant parkland and park facilities, and great school system make it a great place to call home. Buying a house in Farmington gives homebuyers a unique blend of history, small-town charm, and quiet residential life, all for a very low price.
Farmington Schools
Farmington’s 7,000 and growing students are largely educated by the Farmington Area Public School District. The district is recognized as provided a top-quality to its students. Schools in the district include the following:
- Akin Road Elementary
- Farmington Elementary
- Meadowview Elementary
- North Trail Elementary
- Riverview Elementary
- Boeckman Middle School
- Dodge Middle School
- Farmington High School
For more information on these schools and on the school district, visit Farmington Area Public Schools at http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientschool.cgi.
Farmington is also home to Christian Life School, a private Christian school with programs for preschool through 12th grade.
Farmington Hotspots
Restaurants
- Farmington Steak House: This steak house features huge portions for almost unbelievable prices, making it a local favorite. It’s family-owned as well, so it carries a nice small-town charm in its atmosphere.
- Long Branch Saloon and Eatery: Homemade American dishes like sirloin steak and pulled pork sandwiches make this a great stop for lunch and dinner.
- Longbranch Gossips Bar and Grill: Longbranch features more delicious American meals, with sandwiches, ribs, and more. Lunch is the best time to come – lunch specials go for as cheap as $5.
- B & B Pizza: Farmington’s home for Pizza and Italian food features delicious pizza loaded with cheese, crisp edges, and all your favorite toppings.
- Weng’s Kitchen: Weng’s is Farmington’s home for Chinese food. Delicious food with fresh ingredients in a clean environment, with a cheap price tag, make this a great stop any time of the day.
Entertainment
- The Mall of America: Minnesota’s biggest tourist attraction brings millions of visitors each year from all over the world. The Mall of America remains the largest shopping mall in America and features an entire theme park, restaurants, activities, and of course, shopping, all just minutes away in Bloomington.
- Marcus Theatres: This movie theatre has great service, fresh popcorn, is very clean, and is hardly ever crowded. On top of that, the prices are rather low.
- Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium: The aquarium is the perfect destination for family fun and makes a great date spot as well. With over 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and more, visitors are sure to have an exciting time.
- Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center: The Aquatic Center features a huge wrap around pool, towering water slides, houses and centers, and poolside lounging. The Aquatic Center is great for families, dates, and anyone else wanting to cool off in the summer.
- Buck Hill Minnesota Skiing: For Apple Valley Residents, a long Minnesota winter means a long season of downhill skiing, snowboarding, and winter fun. The hill is just minutes from any Apple Valley home.
Leisure
- Minnesota Zoo: The Zoo, located right in Apple Valley, feature hundreds of kinds of animals for visitors and is both an educational and exciting way to spend time with family, friend and loved ones.
- North Creek Park is home to ice skating and hockey rinks with a nearby warming house, and is also home to a playground, picnic tables, a pond, and nature areas.
- Fort Snelling: This historic fort marks the birthplace of modern Minnesota and is a wonderful spot for families and for visitors looking to learn more about our own history.
- Southern Hills Golf Club: This 18-hole golf club is well manicured and is located right in Farmington, making a day out on the golf course convenient.
- Silver Springs Park, in addition to usual park amenities like a playground, walking trails, a picnic shelter, and more, is also home to Farmington’s only parkland climbing boulder.
Churches
- St. Michael’s Catholic Church
- Faith United Methodist Church
- Bible Baptist Church
- River Community Church
- New Heights Christian Fellowship
- Farmington Lutheran Church
- Episcopal Church of the Advent
- Hope Lutheran Church
Farmington Community Events
Farmington is home and host to a number of huge events throughout the year, from river fishing to the largest county fair in Minnesota. These community events help this residential community hold on to its rich community pride and small-town charm that has characterized it throughout history. Some of the community events held throughout the year include the following:
- The Dakota Country Fair is held in Farmington annually in the summer. Everything from food and rides to games and more can be found at Minnesota’s largest county fair.
- In June, Farmington hosts Dew Days, a four day long event with dancing, games, contests, live music, a grande parade, and more.
- Trout fishing events are held as the seasons permit on the Vermillion River, the largest stream in Dakota Country.
- Throughout the year, the local Rambling River Center hosts events, from wood carvings to auctions and more.
- In the summer, the Downtown Farmington Farmer’s market brings the community together and gives homeowners and residents the opportunity to enjoy local, fresh produce picked at the peak of the season.
For more information on these and other events, visit the Farmington Department of Parks and Recreation at http://www.ci.farmington.mn.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/Recreation.html.
Farmington Parks and Lakes
Farmington is home to almost 1,000 acres of parkland maintained by the Farmington Department of Parks and Recreation. From open spaces and nature areas to active areas with playgrounds and sports fields, Farmington parks have everything to offer. Here is a complete list of Farmington Parks:
- Dakota County Estates Park
- Daisy Knoll Park
- Depot Way Arts Park
- Evergreen Knoll Park
- Fairhills Park
- Farmington Preserve Park
- Hill Dee Park
- Hillview Park
- Lake Julia Park
- Meadow Creek Third Addition Park
- Meadowview Park
- Middle Creek Park
- North Creek Park
- Pine Knoll Park
- Prairie View Park
- Rambling River Park Feely Fields
- Rambling River Park
- Silver Springs Park
- Tamarack Park
- Troy Hill Park
- Vermillion Grove Park
- Westview
The amenities provided in one or many of these parks include picnic grounds and picnic shelters, tennis courts, playgrounds, basketball courts, ice skating rinks and warming houses, ballfields, swimming pools, grills, fishing areas, nature areas, ponds and wetlands, a climbing wall, and trails.
While Farmington is home to the Vermillion River and a few small ponds, it is not home to any large lakes.
