EP’s connection to Minnesota’s Statehood Day

May 11, 2023, marks the 165th anniversary of an important day in Minnesota’s history. On May 11, 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state admitted into the Union.

According to the Library of Congress, Minnesota’s application for statehood was submitted to President James Buchanan in January but became entangled with the controversial issue of Kansas statehood, delaying it for several months until Congress finally approved it.

But May 11, 1858, was not only important for the state as a whole but also a significant day for Eden Prairie.

On May 11, 1858, the town board of Eden Prairie held its first meeting in a log schoolhouse, making today the 165th anniversary of this significant event.

According to “Eden Prairie Pioneers: The History of Eden Prairie” by Marie Wittenberg, the town board officers elected at this meeting included an assessor, an overseer of the poor, two justices, and two constables.

The total expenses of the town for that first year were $55.04.

To delve deeper into Eden Prairie’s history, you can find a brief overview on the city’s website. For a more comprehensive exploration of the town’s past, check out the Eden Prairie Historical Society’s “Eden Prairie Remembers” Facebook page.