Plymouth's beginning as a town occurred in 1855 on the northwest shores of what is now known as Parkers Lake. A gristmill and other structures were built in the area. In the spring of 1857, when Parkers Lake flooded, the mill was taken down and moved to Freeport, Minnesota. Freeport is now called Wayzata.
As new settlers arrived in the area, they decided to organize. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners named the new settlement Plymouth. On May 11, 1858, a group of townspeople met at the home of Francis Day to open elections for town offices. On June 1, 1858, the group voted to change the town's name to Medicine Lake. This was used once at the town meeting, but for reasons, which were not recorded, it was never used again.
In 1862, during the conflict between white settlers and the Dakota at Fort Ridgeley, near New Ulm, the settlers of Plymouth formed a militia. When the Civil War started, Plymouth paid its volunteers $25 to enlist. At about this time, Plymouth's growth began to take on a new look. Schools and churches were built and a post office was located in Plymouth. By 1863, hotels were being built.
More changes occurred after the Civil War. By 1880, Plymouth boasted a population of 1,074, and reaped $667 in annual taxes. Farming became the trade of most settlers. Roads were built across Plymouth, making access to other towns possible. Medicine Lake had become a major tourist attraction and resorts were built around its shores.
Local Government Timeline
As the character of the community evolved, so did local government. Important dates in Plymouth’s local government history are:
- May 18, 1955 – Plymouth incorporated as a village
- Aug. 1, 1968 – The city adopted the council-manager form of government
- Feb. 7, 1974 – Plymouth became a statutory city
- Nov. 3, 1992 – Plymouth became a home rule charter city when voters opted to adopt a city charter
- Jan. 1, 1993 – The Plymouth City Charter went into effect
The charter continued the council-manager form of government, and increased the size of the city council. Prior to the adoption of the Charter, the City Council was made up of five members elected at-large. The charter increased the council to seven members elected from four wards.
