Aviva Directory » Local & Global » North America » United States » States » Minnesota » Cities & Towns » Belle Plaine

Belle Plaine is in Scott County, in southeastern Minnesota. The community was founded by Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court Judge Andrew G. Chatfield, who chose the area in 1853 because it was at the halfway marker on his usual route between St. Paul and Mankato. He named the town for the French phrase for “beautiful prairie.” The original townsite now occupies the southeastern corner of the city. Early industries for Belle Plaine included barge traffic along the Minnesota River, as well as a grist mill, saw mills, a foundry, a brick yard, and breweries. Belle Plaine was incorporated as a borough from 1868 to 1974, the only borough in Minnesota, but it was incorporated as a city in 1974. Minnesota Valley State Park is north and northeast of the city. Belle Plaine is accessed primarily through Interstate Highway 169. Nearby communities include Blakeley, Jessenland, Jordan, and Lawrence. Minneapolis, Minnesota is about forty miles northeast of Belle Plaine.

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