Situated in central-eastern Carver County, the city of Chaska is the seat of government for the county. When the first Europeans came to the area in the 1770s, the land then known as the Big Woods was inhabited by the Dakota. In 1776, Jonathan Carver explored the area along the Minnesota River, journaling his travels. French-Canadian fur traders were also active in the area, trading with the Dakota, and Jean-Baptiste Faribault started a trading post at the place where Chaska would be developed. In 1851, the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux opened the area to white settlement, the community was originally known as Little Rapids. Among the early settlers was Thomas Andrew Holmes, who cleared the townsite on twenty acres in 1851. David L. Fuller purchased the site from Holmes the following year, and in 1857 the town was platted by the Shaska Company. Construction of a county courthouse began that year, and Chaskak was incorporated as a village in 1871, becoming a city in 1891. The city’s first major industry was brick building, and bricks were shipped by boat to Saint Paul. When the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway was completed in 1873, its population grew rapidly, doubling by 1880. Soon, other industries came, including the processing of beet sugar, flour production, and butter making. Its population has increased every year since 1930, transitioning into a metropolitan city in the 1950s. The communities of Jonathan and Hazeltine have become neighborhoods within the city of Chaska. Nearby communities include Augusta, Carver, Chanhassen, Dahlgren, Shakopee, Shorewood, and Victoria. Minnetonka is about twenty miles northeast, and Bloomington is about the same distance east of Chaska.
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The retail bead store in Chaska, Minnesota offers a wide variety of beads, including those made from natural stone, crystal, glass, pewter, bone, wood, metal, seeds, and other materials, as well as bead making products, tools, gifts, and finished jewelry. Its location, hours, class schedules, and contacts are posted.
http://www.beadvillechaska.com/
The Carver County government is headquartered in Chaska, Minnesota, the county seat. The official county web site offers a guide to county services and facilities, administrative and departmental contacts, board meeting schedules, agendas, commissioner biographies, and access to various plans, reports, and other documents.
https://www.co.carver.mn.us/
The official municipal web site offers maps of the city, city council meeting schedules agendas and video, strategic planning reports, and an overview to city boards and commissions, as well as administrative and departmental contacts, and a guide to city utilities, departments, services, and recreational programs.
http://mn-chaska.civicplus.com/
Part of the Lake Minnetonka District of the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Pack 391 is chartered by the Guardian Angels Catholic Church, and made up of boys in kindergarten through the fifth grades from the elementary schools of Clover Ridge, Guardian Angels, World Learner, and East Union in Carver. A pack roster, calendar of events, photos, and contacts are featured.
http://www.chaska391.mypack.us/
Headquartered in Chaska, Minnesota, the PK-12th grade public school district operates campuses in Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria, each of which are highlighted here, with directions, school schedules, staff contacts and announcements. A district profile, its school board, and a district calendar are featured.
http://www.district112.org/
Guardian Angels Catholic School
Located in Chaska, the the PK-8th grade Catholic school is operated under the auspices of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Its admissions policies, school schedule and calendar, staff contacts, and alumni programs are put forward, registration forms and a parent-student handbook are available.
http://school.gachaska.org/
The Chaska, Minnesota auto dealership specializes in the sale of new Chevrolet and Buick cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. Its location, inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, special offers, service and parts departments, and finance policies are put forward, along with its hours of operation and contacts.
http://www.lenzenchevbuick.com/
The independent, family-owned insurance agency is in Chaska, Minnesota, offering several lines of insurance, including automobile, home, life and commercial. Its owner-agents are introduced, with directions to the office, hours of operation, and contacts, and an insurance blog is included.
http://www.martinsonagency.com/
Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center
Located on Oak Ridge Drive in Chaska, Minnesota, the hotel is situated on a lake front, boasting an event space that can accommodate two ballrooms or up to thirty-five meeting rooms, as well as guest rooms and suites, which are highlighted here, with photographs, a list of amenities, rates, and special offers.
http://www.oakridgeminneapolis.com/
Jonathan in Chaska is a planned community of about eight thousand people, with a distinct identity, but part of the city of Chaska. Board meeting agendas are posted online, and dues may be paid through the site. Other resources include a history of the community, a calendar of events, a list of amenities, and project information.
http://www.jonathaninchaska.com/
