Situated just south of the center, near the eastern border of Minnesota, the City of Shafer is in Chisago County.
US Highway 8 (Lake Boulevard) runs along the southern border of the city and serves as the main route to and from Shafer.
Bloom Lake is just a couple of mile south of the southwestern border of the city. Franconia Township abuts the eastern portion of the city, and the unincorporated community of Franconia is about three miles east of Shafer, while Taylors Falls, Interstate State Park, and the Saint Croix River are a couple of miles east-northeast of there. Center City is four miles west, and Palmdale is about seven miles to the north.
Shafer was settled largely by Swedish immigrants in the mid-1800s, and originally bore the name of Taylors Falls, which was changed to Shafer in 1873. It was named for Jacob Shafer, who cut hay there as early as 1847. Shafer was a transient who had disappeared from the area by 1849. The settlement was formally founded in 1881, and a post office was opened there that same year. It was incorporated as a village in 1922 and became a village when the Minnesota legislature elevated all of the state's villages to cities in 1975.
Early industries were hay, ginseng, and potatoes. When a rail line was constructed from Taylors Falls to the Twin Cities, Shafer became a thriving little town in the early 1900s, boasting car dealerships, a creamery, feed mill, general store, taverns, and cafes.
Its population grew slowly between 1950 and 1990, decreased slightly between 1990 and 2000, but grew by more than 200% between 2000 and 2010.
This is a guide to Shafer, Minnesota, so websites listed in this category should be related to Shafer. Appropriate topics for this category include sites representing the local government or any other governmental bodies located in Shafer, as well as local churches, schools, museums, businesses, organizations, or individuals.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Located on Gunflint Way, Shafer, Minnesota, Auto Gardens specializes in selling pre-owned vehicles. Directions, hours of operation, and contacts are published to the site. Its inventory may be searched by make or by price range, and special offers are highlighted. Photos of available vehicles are displayed, along with asking prices and other details. Extended warranty information is specified, and service requests may be made online.
https://www.autogardens.com/
Shafer is situated along Minnesota Highway 8, about forty-five miles northeast of the Twin Cities. The official city website features a history and profile of the city and introduces the city council, posts meeting agendas and minutes, its planning commission, economic development authority, and zoning information. Municipal departments are listed, with contacts, and municipal projects are reported on.
http://www.shafermn.com/
Situated in a 1870s red brick country home in Shafer, about five miles west of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, the B&B was established in 1982. Its site features a history of the inn, photographs, a list of amenities, and other details of its rooms, rates, and payment options. Reservations may be made online or by mail, and its policies and breakfast menus are posted to the site. Links to local attractions and events are included.
http://www.countrybedandbreakfast.us/
Although Franconia Township is situated east of the City of Shafer, its administrative offices are in Shafer. The official township website discusses the governmental structure, the township board, and other officials and departments, town notices and board minutes, calendar of events, a photo gallery, and a history of the township. A guide to township businesses, activities, and community resources are included.
http://www.franconiamn.us/
With locations in Shafer and Saint Paul, Minnesota, the company offers 24-hour towing throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area, offering local towing, jump starts, lockouts, tire changes, transport towing, storage, long-distance towing, emergency towing, police towing, flatbed towing, wheel-life towing, motorcycle towing, fleet towing, winching, junk car removals, motor home towing, and bus towing services.
https://plctowingandrecovery.com/
Situated on Pleasant Valley Road in Shafer, Minnesota, the orchard features a pick-your-own strawberry season from mid-June through mid-July, and a fall apple orchard season that begins on Labor Day weekend, with special activities, announced on the site, that may include orchard tours, pumpkins, and a hayride. An on-site bakery is included. Other resources include a newsletter, recipes, and a blog.
http://www.pleasantvalleyorchard.com/
The family owned and operated company is based in Shafer, Minnesota, from where it specializes in earthwork, underground utilities, concrete paving, curb and gutter, and traffic control. In business for more than fifty years, its history is outlined, featured projects are highlighted, with photos and other details, employment opportunities are posted to the site, and administrative contacts are included.
http://shafercontracting.com/