Victoria, in Carver County, Minnesota, is a city of lakes and parks. Abutting the city, and within its borders, are more than two hundred acres of reserved land, thirteen parks, and thirteen lakes, nine within the city limits.
Within the city limits, or touching its borders, are Lake Auburn, Carl Krey Lake, Church Lake, Kelser's Pond, Schutz Lake, Stieger Lake, Stone Lake, Sunny Lake, Tamarack Lake, Lake Virginia, Wasserman Lake, Zumbra Lake, and Smithtown Bay of Lake Minnetonka. Nearby lakes include Lake Bavaria, Carver Lake, Crosby Lake, Marsh Lake, Lake Minnewashta, Pierson Lake, Lake Saint Joe, and Turbid Lake.
The city's parks include a large portion of the Carver Park Reserve, a portion of the University of Minnesota Arboretum, Diethelm Park, Lions Park, and the Victoria Recreation Center. The Deer Run Golf Club is also in Victoria.
Major highways serving the city are Minnesota State Highways 5 and 7, which connect with US Route 212. County Roads 11, 13, 18, and 43 also run through Victoria.
The city abuts the cities of Chanhassen, Chaska, and Minnetrista, as well as Laketown Township.
Artifacts suggest that there were Native American villages in the area prior to its settlement by whites, including a year-round village between Stieger Lake and Lake Auburn.
The first known white settler in the region was Michael Diethelm, a Swiss immigrant who built a home there in 1851, bringing his wife the following year. His brother Carl brought his family, setting up a claim not far away. After the 1853 Treaty of Mendota, other white settlers came.
After years of disagreement over a name for the settlement, families on the north side of Lake Bavaria and those on the south side reached an agreement. Two families on the north side contributed thirty acres of land for a church, and it was named Saint Victoria, a favored saint among some of the families on the south side.
Saint Victoria Parish was formed in 1855, and a log church and school were built in 1858. A second church was constructed out of brick in 1870 and, in 1875, a larger, two-story school was built.
Early settlers were largely farmers who grew potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and corn, with wheat being a common cash crop. Black currants, cranberries, gooseberries, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries were readily available. Tamarack trees supplied the lumber for their homes. Carl Dietholm's son, Michael, opened the town's first store. A post office was opened in 1863, but the post office name was Laketown. In 1883, it was changed to Victoria.
A railroad was constructed to Victoria in 1882, which helped bring supplies from Saint Paul and nearby Chaska. When automobiles were introduced to the region, Victoria Drive was the primary road serving Victoria, connecting the city with Chaska, Saint Bonifacius, and Watertown.
Victoria was incorporated as a village in 1915, and it became a city in the 1970s when the state legislature made cities of all of the villages in the state.
This is a guide to the city of Victoria, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any businesses, industries, churches, schools, organizations, individuals, or events in Victoria are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Chartered by the Victoria Lions Club, Troop 337 is in the Lake Minnetonka District of the Northern Star Council, of the Boy Scouts of America, serving the city of Victoria, Chanhassen, Chaska, and neighboring communities. The history and profile of the organization are put forth, along with a schedule of meetings and other activities, a calendar of events, photo albums, and a private area for scouts and leaders.
https://victoria337.mytroop.us/
Situated in southeastern Victoria, Minnesota, Deer Run is an 18-hole public golf course featuring a driving range, practice green, motor carts, pull carts, and golf club rentals, as well as a pro shop, club fitting, golf lessons, changing room, and a restaurant. A map shows its location, tee times, an aerial photo, scorecard, and information about league play are put forth, along with an online store.
https://deerrungolf.com/
Created by Hartman Communities, Hillpointe is a housing neighborhood development overlooking large areas of wetlands and nature preserves in Victoria, Minnesota. A map and availability page is displayed, along with development information, lot prices, and other details, such as set backs, school districts, and utilities. Area builders are recommended, and contact information is available.
https://hillpointevictoria.com/
Offering dine-in, take-out, and delivery services in Victoria, Minnesota, as well as a VIP card with discount coupons, the restaurant is located on Arboretum Boulevard, which is also Highway 5. Its specialty pizzas, gourmet pizzas, gluten-free pizza, sandwiches, and salad bar are highlighted, and its full menu is available. Directions, hours of operation, special offers, and its delivery area are posted.
http://www.roulettespizza.com/
Saint Victoria Catholic Church
The Catholic parish is located on Victoria Drive in Victoria, Minnesota. Directions, mass times, a church bulletin, calendar of events, and staff directory are featured, and its policies and schedules for baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, and cemetery interments are posted, and a schedule of liturgical ministers is included. Its faith formation programs and registration policies are included.
https://www.stvictoria.net/
Located on Victoria Drive in the city of Victoria, Minnesota, Victoria Burrow is an entertainment venue offering eighteen holes of mini golf, axe chucking, bocce, classic arcade games, darts, and virtual reality games, as well as a restaurant serving food made from scratch, and a full bar, each of which are highlighted here, along with directions, hours of operation. League play, a calendar of special events, and online bookings are available.
https://victoriaburrow.com/
Victoria Business Owners Association
The non-profit organization serves to develop business relationships by sponsoring and promoting community events, promoting local businesses, and financially supporting the community of Victoria, Minnesota. Its membership policies and a member list are presented, with a calendar of events, announcements, and links to local business resources, community organizations, and other contacts.
http://victoriaba.org/
The K-5th-grade school in Victoria, Minnesota is part of the Eastern Carver County School District #112. An overview of the school is presented, including a school calendar, A student handbook, student resource links, a list of summer reading activities, and other informational sections are provided, as well as news and announcements, administrative and faculty contacts, and office hours.
http://ves.district112.org/
The Victoria Gazette is a monthly newspaper published by Prints Publishing, with an abbreviated version online, offering news from around town. Other content includes the names, numbers, and access to Victoria businesses, a directory of Victoria websites, a photo gallery featuring pictures from around the city going back as far as 2000, a community events column, and an archive of past editions.
https://www.victoriagazette.com/
Victoria, Minnesota: City of Lakes & Parks
The official municipal website presents city council agendas and minutes, available utility services, its parks, and recreational facilities, permit information, notifications, and job opportunities. City departments are recognized, with contacts and office hours, and a guide to city services is put forth. A history and profile of the city are included, and election information is posted to the site.
https://www.ci.victoria.mn.us/
The Victoria, Minnesota congregation meets at its facilities on Church Lake Boulevard. Its membership policies, children’s ministries, life groups, teams, and biblical counseling services are outlined, and its pastoral and leadership staff are identified. Weekly schedules and a calendar of events are published to the site. A video archive of recent sermons are available, and contributions may be made through the site.
http://waterbrooke.church/
