Ramsey Mill ruins still stand next to Vermillion River

In 1855, Elbert H. Halstead located a claim on land at the lower falls of the Vermillion River. Eventually, Gov. Alexander Ramsey and Dr. Thomas Foster built what came to be known as the Ramsey Mill there.

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Spiral Bridge was once a landmark in Hastings

Toward the end of the 19th century, the small but growing river town of Hastings faced a dilemma. One of the oldest cities in the state, Hastings had developed next to the Mississippi River. Steamboats could float right up to the levee, only a short distance from Second Street, then the center of commerce.

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Notes on Hastings' history

Hastings came to be known as Oliver’s Grove when U.S. Army Lt. W. G. Oliver and his nine-man military detachment, bringing supplies to Fort Snelling in 1819, encountered freezing water and bad weather and were forced to spend the winter here in log cabins they built.

Current City Hall dates back to 1871

Hastings City Hall provides a breath-taking view as visitors enter Hastings from the north on Highway 61. Housed in the 139-year-old building that was once the Dakota County Courthouse, City Hall was remodeled and opened in the fall of 1993.

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Things to do: Go to Gobble Gait

Begun as a small run/walk in 1998 to benefit Hastings Family Service, Gobble Gait the word “small” could no longer be used to describe Gobble Gait. Last year more than 2,200 participated in the 2K walk and 8K run.

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Dakota County seat is Hastings

Hastings is proud to be the county seat for Dakota County. It is a designation that wasn’t easy for the city to earn or hold on to, as it had a bitter dispute with the City of Farmington to earn the right. Hastings has been the county seat since 1857.

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New bridge to be completed in 2014

Hastings residents finally got the news they’ve waited years for — a new bridge is coming! The current Highway 61 bridge over the Mississippi River in Hastings opened for traffic in the early 1950s. It is now the most heavily-traveled two-lane bridge in the state.

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Places to go: Vermillion Falls

See the Vermillion River plunge 30 feet at Vermillion Falls Park in Hastings. Most days, you can feel the mist from the falls gently touch your face from a lookout high above the action.

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Places to go: Lock and Dam No. 2

The Hastings Lock and Dam, the second in a series of locks down the Mississippi River, is a great place to witness the importance of the mighty river.

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Things to do: Here is the year's calendar of the biggest events

Here is a listing of some of the biggest events in Hastings for 2012.

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Places to go: Visit the nature center

The Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings provides area residents and visitors several unique opportunities to connect with nature.

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Mayor Paul Hicks: Welcome to Hastings

Dear Friends, Welcome to Hastings, one of Minnesota's oldest communities established in March of 1857, before statehood. Hastings is a city rich in history, blessed with many beautiful natural amenities and it has a vibrant business climate. Hastings is truly a city on the move.

• The Hastings City Council

Organizations exist for residents

Hastings residents can pick from a large number of community clubs and organizations. There are opportunities for all ages from kids through senior citizens. For information, contact the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce at 651-437-6775.

Pleasant Hill Library has more than just books

Imagine a place where anyone can have free Internet access, access to a variety of compact discs and movies, more than 100 magazines, eight local newspapers and a seemingly endless number of books. You can find all that and more at Pleasant Hill Library.

• Pleasant Hill Library

School district serves 4,894 students

Independent School District 200 serves Hastings and the surrounding towns of Miesville, New Trier, Vermillion, Hampton, and Denmark Township to the north in Washington County.

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