Named for a large lake in the western part of the city, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota is in Ramsey County.
Vadnais Heights is bordered by North Oaks to the north, White Bear Lake to the northeast, Gem Lake to the east, Maplewood and Little Canada to the south, and Shoreview to the west. Interstate Highways 35-E and 694, US Highway 61, and County Highway 96 are the main routes through the city.
Besides Vadnais Lake, Sucker Lake, Willow Lake, and a portion of Twin Lake are within the city limits. Vadnais Lake itself is surrounded by protected land with miles of walking trails. Boating and swimming in the lake is permitted only in a designated area on the southwest side.
Parks in Vadnais Heights include Bear Park, Berwood Park, Bridgewood Park, Community Park West, Community Park East, Elmwood Park, Greenhaven Park, Heritage Park, Kohler Meadows Park, Lily Pond Park, Morningdale Park, Oak Creek Park, Vadnais Sucker Lake Regional Park, Westfield Park, and Wolters Park. The city operates ice rinks at Community Park and Westfield Park, and several of its parks include sports fields.
When the first white settlers came to the region that was to become Vadnais Heights, it was part of the Wisconsin Territory, and the first settlers were French Canadians. In 1850, the community pooled together to form a school near what is now Centerville Road on Edgerton Street. Lessons were in French, so the school was ineligible for county funding.
Lake Vadnais School District #6 was created in 1853, offering lessons in English, although nearly all of its students spoke French as a first language.
In 1858, Minnesota became a state, White Bear Lake Township was created, and Vadnais Heights became part of White Bear Township. Area settlers were primarily farmers, and many of them supplemented their income by hunting and trapping.
In the 1870s, a general store and blacksmith shop were opened, and the settlement became a stagecoach stop. A new school was built in 1875.
In 1887, the stagecoach was replaced by the railroad. Known as Cardigan Junction, the depot was part of a chain of three depots: Cardigan, Carnelian, and Bulwer Junction. Cardigan Junction was a switching point for the Sault Saint Marie and Atlantic Railroad, commonly known as the Soo Line. The station house was a 20-by-80-foot wood structure on timber block. Operated full-time by a telegrapher, the manager's family also lived in part of the depot.
As roads became smoother and automobiles became more common, residents of Vadnais Heights were able to take jobs in Saint Paul or elsewhere. Truck farming also became important.
With a population of about two thousand, residents of Vadnais Heights voted to incorporate as a village in 1957, largely due to a threat of annexation by White Bear Lake. The Village Hall was built in 1965, a fire department was formed in 1970, and Vadnais Heights became a city in 1974.
Beginning in the 1950s, some of the larger landowners began subdividing their land, forming housing developments, leading to increasing urbanization and decreasing dependence on agriculture. More and more, urbanization has taken over the future of the city.
This is a guide to the city of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Appropriate topics for this category include websites representing the municipal government, as well as local businesses, churches, schools, organizations, events, or individuals.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
Established in 1964 through the Board of American Missions of the Lutheran Church in America, the congregation meets at its facilities on Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. The church’s history, a profile, and a photo gallery are featured, with an overview of its ministries, weekly schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and leadership contacts. An audio sermon archive is included.
http://www.cslcvh.org/
The natural food market is located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, specializing in products that are clean label, organic, or without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, including options made for customers who are vegan, paleo, keto, vegetarian, or following wheat- and gluten-free diets. Its locations and hours are posted, along with weekly ads, coupons, recipes, and a list of stores carrying its products.
https://www.freshthyme.com/
The private 5-12th-grade school offers limited class sizes and a progressive curriculum. Located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, the school is accredited by AdvancED. The campus and its programs are highlighted, including administrative contacts, a staff directory, and career opportunities. Its middle school and high school curriculum are outlined and highlighted in promotional videos. Admissions policies, tuition, and schedules are posted.
https://gentryacademy.com/
Situated one block east of Interstate Highway 35-E and County Road E in downtown Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, the bar and restaurant have the capacity for four hundred, and its adjacent event center can accommodate from twenty to six hundred people. Breakfast and regular menus are featured, along with a drink list, information, and photos about its event center, and a calendar of scheduled events.
http://www.visitjimmys.com/
Located on County Road EE, in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, Revolution Sporting Goods buys and sells new and used sporting equipment, offers embroidery services, team sales, and promotional products, offering embroidery, sublimation, screen printing, and digital prints on all types of apparel and other promotional products, including mouse pads, pens, window clings, and others. Its location and hours are posted.
http://www.revolutionsportinggoods.com/
Vadnais Heights Dental Practice
Serving the Twin Cities metropolitan region of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, the dental office is located on County Road EE in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Directions, hours of operation, appointment policies, and contacts are published to the site, along with an overview of the dental practice and its services. Insurance plans accepted by the facility are enumerated, as well as other payment options.
https://www.vadnaisheightsfamilydentistry.com/
Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation
Founded in 1984, the VHEDC is a private, non-profit organization, independent of any governmental entity, charged with furthering economic development in the city of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Its organizational structure, initiatives, the board of directors, committees, and strategic partners are identified, and its business services and resources are discussed, along with a schedule of meetings and events.
https://www.vhedc.com/
Vadnais Heights Elementary School
A campus of White Bear Lake Area Schools (ISD #624), Vadnais Heights Elementary was built in 1950 and enrolls students in K-5th grades. School hours, a school calendar and a profile of the school is presented, along with a school newsletter, student and parent resources, and an introduction to the principal. Tours may be scheduled through the site, and the parent-teacher organization is highlighted.
http://www.whitebear.k12.mn.us/VadnaisHeights/
The official municipal website presents a community profile and history, the city’s strategic plan, maps, and demographics, as well as a guide to community organizations, events, city parks and recreational opportunities, schools, and libraries. The city council and administrative staff are identified, with office hours and contacts, meeting agendas and minutes, project updates, election schedules, and city services.
http://www.cityvadnaisheights.com/