Prior Lake, Minnesota is about twenty miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. Located in Scott County, the city surrounds the shores of Lower and Upper Prior Lake, the city is south of the Minnesota River in an area known as South of the River, and is considered the urban fringe of the south-southwest part of the Twin Cities metropolitan region. Arctic Lake, Blind Lake, Jeffers Pond, Mystic Lake, and several smaller bodies of water are within the city. The eastern part of Spring Lake is also in Prior Lake, and several other lakes border the city limits. Surrounding communities include Barden, Credit River, Marystown, Savage, Shakopee, and Spring Lake. Spring Lake was surveyed in 1857 because there was speculation about a railroad coming through, but that didn’t occur until much later. A grist mill was built in 1859, and a sawmill soon afterwards. The Civil War intervened, and the new settlement did not get its first store until Joseph Thornton opened one there in 1865. The Hastings and Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was completed in 1872, and a post office was established that year. Prior Lake was primarily an agricultural community from 1870 to the 1920s, but its lakes were also attracting summer residents. In 1879, the Grainwood House was opened, with a grand ball for distinguished guests throughout the state. Mr. W.E. Hull offered rides on the lake in his sailboat, and maintained a fleet of fishing boats for guests. The Grainwood had its own rail station and water tower. Prior Lake was incorporated as a village in 1891. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Prior Lake was a typical small town dealing with major events surrounding two world wars. Moderate growth began after World War II, increasing from 1960 on, as the town became a suburban community. Its population increased by more than five hundred percent between 1970 and 1980, and has increased by large percentages every census year since.
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Prior Lake is an 18.3 square-mile suburb featuring more than fifty parks on a thousand acres, over a hundred miles of trails and sidewalks, and fourteen lakes. The official municipal web site offers a profile of the city, demographics, and a history of the community, along with a guide to the municipal government and to local schools, organizations, parks, services, and utilities.
http://www.cityofpriorlake.com/
Girl Scouts Prior Lake/Savage Service Unit
Service Unit #215 serves the Prior Lake/Savage School District. A schedule of leader-parent meetings are put forth, along with instructions for new and returning leaders, leader tips and training resources, and access to various forms and documents. Field trips and activity ideas are posted, and a schedule for summer day camp and fundraising opportunities are posted, with an overview of badges and awards, and a uniform guide.
http://www.mysticlake.com/
Featuring three cottages in Prior Lake, Minnesota (Northern Loon Cottage, Sunset Loon Cottage, and Moon Song Cottage), interior and exterior photos are put forth, along with guest reviews, an availability calendar and online reservations. Prior Lake history is presented, guest photos, and an area events calendar. Its property management services, contacts, and online reservations are posted.
http://www.priorlakecabin.com/
The salon and spa is situated in historic downtown Prior Lake, Minnesota. The all-natural salon features products that are derived naturally, organic, green, and from local companies. Its location and services are defined, its staff is introduced, with a brief history of the salon. Its hours of operation and appointment policies are put forth, and client testimonials are published to the site.
http://www.marysonmain.com/
Specializing in Dodge, Jeep, and other military vehicle parts and accessories, Midwest Military is a supplier and manufacturer of collector military vehicle parts, catering to World War II and Korean War era vehicles, Korean era Jeeps, and other WWII vehicles. The Prior Lake, Minnesota shop fabricates some of its parts after finding that the quality of some of the commercially available parts were inferior. Its store, machine shop, and vehicles available for sale are posted.
http://www.midwestmilitary.net/
Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a non-profit volunteer organization of business owners and other interested individuals in the Prior Lake, Minnesota region, charged with promoting the conditions necessary for a prosperous business atmosphere. Membership levels and the benefits of membership are featured, with a calendar of programs and events, its business development projects, and officer contacts.
http://www.priorlakechamber.com/
Offering boat tours on both Upper and Lower Prior Lake, the Charles Prior II can accommodate up to forty-six passengers, and is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, outings with friends, and business meetings, and may be scheduled from sunrise to 10 pm. Its location, a gallery of photographs, pricing, policy information, and instructions are put forth, along with a list of amenities.
http://www.priorlaketours.com/
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
Headquartered in Prior Lake, Minnesota, the public school district offers a K-12th grade curriculum to students in Prior Lake, Savage, and the townships of Spring Lake, Cedar Lake, Credit River, and Sand Creek. Campus locations, schedules, and contacts are posted, along with a district calendar, an overview of its academic, athletic and extracurricular activities, community education programs, and employment opportunities.
http://www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us/
Prior Lake/Savage Rental Center
In business since 1979, the Prior Lake, Minnesota company offers equipment sales and rentals, party rentals, and a large selection of supplies to go along with its equipment rentals, including blades, sanding supplies, carpet supplies, nails, staples, safety gloves, and glasses. Its location, a list of available equipment and party rentals are put forth, along with its location, hours of operation, and contacts.
http://www.priorlakerentals.com/
The full-service small animal hospital is in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where it offers a full range of advanced veterinary services, as well as boarding and grooming services, and a variety of home care options, such as euthanasia. Its location, hours of operation, appointment policies, and an overview of its services and payment options. First visit instructions and client forms are set forth, and an online shopping area is included.
http://scottlakevet.com/
Featuring 150 feet of elevation changes and more than seventy strategically placed bunkers, the 18-hole golf course is in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Golf packages, rates and fees, league information and schedules, golf instruction, and employment opportunities are posted to the site, along with a schedule of events, tournaments and outings, on-site restaurant and pub, a photo gallery and video spots.
https://www.golfthewilds.com/
The travel agency is located on Highway 13 South in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Offering business travel management and specialty travel services, the agency’s travel agents are introduced, including their specialties and destinations. Prospective clients choose agent by destination or travel interest, or by selecting a specific agent. Travel specials, promotional video, the office location and hours are posted.
http://www.shakopeetravel.com/