Hopkins, Minnesota

Hopkins
City
Hopkins, Minnesota
Downtown Hopkins
Seal
Location of Hopkins within Hennepin County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°55′50.77″N 93°24′6.09″W / 44.9307694°N 93.4016917°W / 44.9307694; -93.4016917Coordinates: 44°55′50.77″N 93°24′6.09″W / 44.9307694°N 93.4016917°W / 44.9307694; -93.4016917
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Hennepin
Founded	1852
Incorporated	1893 (as West Minneapolis)
Incorporated	January 1, 1948 (as Hopkins)
Government
• Mayor	Molly Cummings
Area[1]
• Total	4.11 sq mi (10.64 km2)
• Land	4.08 sq mi (10.57 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation	1,030 ft (314 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	17,591
• Estimate (2016)[3]	18,105
• Density	4,300/sq mi (1,700/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	55305, 55343, 55345
Area code(s)	952
FIPS code	27-30140[4]
GNIS feature ID	0645180[5]
Website	City of Hopkins

Hopkins is a suburban city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, located west of Minneapolis. The city is four square miles in size and is surrounded by the larger, west suburban communities of Minnetonka, Saint Louis Park, and Edina. Hopkins is about 98% developed with little remaining vacant land. The population was 17,591 at the 2010 census.^[6]

U.S. Highway 169 and Minnesota State Highway 7 are two of the main routes in the area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.11 square miles (10.64 km²), of which 4.08 square miles (10.57 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water.^[1] There are several small ponds on the western side of Hopkins, and creeks to the north and south. One of these creeks includes Minnehaha Creek. The north branch of Nine Mile Creek has its headwaters in Hopkins at the intersection of 13th Avenue South and Excelsior Boulevard.

Demographics

View of Mainstreet (the local spelling) in downtown Hopkins.

Housing

Hopkins has a much lower homeownership rate than neighboring communities. The city’s 39 percent homeownership rate is 22 percentage points less than the 61 percent of St. Louis Park, which has the next lowest rate among Hopkins’ neighbors.^[9] Other west metro communities fall in the mid-70 percent range.

Housing also tends to be cheaper than most west metro communities. Hopkins’ $225,200 median value is the lowest among its neighbors.^[9] The median housing value for St. Louis Park, which is next lowest, is 6.75 percent higher at $240,400.

Government

History

Harley H. Hopkins, namesake of Hopkins, in 1855, note the revolver.

The first settlers of Hopkins arrived in 1852^[15] as land around the growing Minneapolis–Saint Paul area was opening up and being explored by members stationed at Fort Snelling. However, the roots of the town begin in 1887 with the building of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company, later called Minneapolis-Moline, to make farm equipment. At the time, Minneapolis Moline employed most of the Hopkins residents. In 1887, the West Minneapolis Land Company was founded and formed to build housing for the Minneapolis Moline factory workers.

In 1893, residents of Hopkins sent the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners a petition signed by 41 residents, asking that a separate village be formed from unincorporated portions of then-Minnetonka and Richfield Townships. Following an election, the community was then incorporated as the Village of West Minneapolis with a population of 1,105. The original village consisted of about three square miles, and it has been enlarged by annexation to its present size of about four square miles.

The Hopkins train station, which determined the town's eventual name, is now a student-run coffee house.

In 1928, the name of the village was changed to Hopkins after Harley H. Hopkins, who was among its first homesteaders and was the community's first postmaster. Mr. Hopkins allowed the town to build the train depot on his land (now The Depot Coffee House) with the agreement that the train station would say "Hopkins" on it. People getting off the train assumed the name of the town was Hopkins and it stuck. On January 1, 1948, the village became the city of Hopkins, upon adoption of a council–city manager charter.

Education

Private schools

The Blake School

There are two private schools in Hopkins:

• The Blake School: A large private school with several campuses throughout the Twin Cities was founded in Hopkins, and the Blake Campus in the city houses both the Middle School and one of its two Lower Schools.
• Agamim Classical Academy

Notable people

Hopkins City Hall and Police Department

This is a representative, not a definitive list of people from Hopkins, Minnesota, who have had a unique impact on the community and in many instances beyond the area, state, and nation.

• L. Thomas Aldrich – (1817–1913) Geophysicist - was known worldwide for his work as a geophysicist and geochemist at the Carnegie Institute for Science's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism as part of a research team that pioneered the development of methods and instruments for determining the age of rocks through dating their constituent minerals.^[17]
• Fartun Ahmed – Elected to the Hopkins, MN School Board in 2016. First Somali-American in the United States to be elected to a local school board and one of four Somali Americans in the United States to have won a local election in 2016.
• Paul Bengston – The “Godfather of Hopkins Wrestling” and Legendary Hopkins Senior High Wrestling Coach. Started wrestling program in 1960 and led the team to a Minnesota State Championship in only three years. He won two more state championships in 1967 and 1968 before becoming athletic director Mound Senior High.
• Nate Berkus - Interior designer, author, TV host and personality, featured on the Oprah Winfrey television show. His Chicago interior design firm, Nate Berkus Associates has issued a variety of product lines including a collaboration with the Target retail stores on a 150 piece line of home interior items - bedding,lighting, rugs,etc.
• Catherine (MacDonald) Blake – President of National Auxiliary American Medical Association. She became a powerful force in public health and nursing movements and was very active in the Red Cross.
• Dr. James Blake, Sr. – Prominent Hopkins pioneer and physician. Established early "clinic" approach to his practice. Three of his sons became doctors and his two daughters became nurses.
• Aaron Brown – American broadcast journalist on ABC and CNN.^[18] Most recognized for his coverage of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Richard Brubacher – Longtime public servant with career spanning several decades. He was first appointed in the 1950s as City Manager for the City of Hopkins and in 1968 he went on to serve under both Republican and Democratic governors as Director of the Minnesota State Department of Administration.
• Dr. Catherine Burnes – First doctor to serve the Hopkins area and first female to graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Practiced medicine from 1886 - 1917.
• Walter Bush – As a national leader in the growth and development of amateur and professional hockey elected to the U. S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000.
• Tim Carr - Music critic, writer and promoter. A&R (Arts and Repertoire) executive for Capitol Record, Warner Brothers Record and DreamWorks.^[19]
• David Carr – Media and culture columnist for The New York Times.^[20] Author of a memoir and best seller ‘’The Night of the Gun.’’ Early in his journalist career he was the editor of the ‘’Twin Cities Reader,’’ a weekly alternative newspaper in Minneapolis.
• James Cramer – Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects of Minnesota. Then moved to Washington D.C. as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects of the USA.
• Courtney Dauwalter – Ultra Marathoner. 1986 Hopkins High Graduate. Won the 2017 Moab 240 mile Endurance Run by more than 10 hours. Set a new American women’s record in 2017 at the Riverbank One Day 24-Hour race in California, running 155.4 miles.
• Ernie Fliegel – Professional prize fighter, a founder of the 620 Club bar and restaurant (1933-65) in Minneapolis.^[21]
• Betty Folliard – First woman from Hopkins to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 44A, serving two terms from 1997 – 2002. She remained active and continued to work on women’s rights issues. Earned 2017 Women’s Hall of Fame Woman of Distinction Award.
• Thomas Forbes – Engineer, inventor - Conceived uses for gyroscopes to stabilize ships, toys, and other uses including patents used in aircraft auto pilots. Invented an automatic toaster and electric blanket controls.
• Mark Forgy - Artist assistant and author.Traveling on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza in 1969 he met and became the personal assistant of a Hungarian artist, Elmyr de Hory, who had a flamboyant career as a great and prolific forger of the work of modern artists including Picasso,Modigliani,Matisse and many others. Mentored by and participating in the last seven years of de Hory's life, Mark wrote a detailed biography of this remarkable artist," The Forger's Apprentice, Life With The World's Most Notorious Artist" published in 2012. Mark inherited three hundred of de Hory's works and returned to live in Minnesota.
• William E. Gardner, PhD – Educator/Historian - Professor of secondary education, chairman of the department, and dean at the University of Minnesota. Authored a number of books and articles in the area of education, history and social studies.
• Daniel Grodnik - Movie producer, Chairman of the Board/CEO of Mass Hysteria Entertainment. He has been an active force in the independent film industry. Working with every major studio he has produced more than forty motion pictures and television movies including the Golden Globe best picture nomination, "Bobby" , about the last day of Robert Kennedy's life. He is currently teaming with Remark Films, a production company, to finance 2-5 feature films a year
• Harley H. Hopkins – (1823–1882) First railroad station master and postmaster - A direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, one of the 26 signers of the Declaration of Independence.^[22]
• John Hardgrove – Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
• Samantha Harris – Television hostess and actress. Her most prominent role was as E! Entertainment correspondent and a Dancing with the Stars co-host.
• Archie Japs – (1913–2003) Graduated from Hopkins High School in 1929 at the age of 15 and then at the age of 19 graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in chemical engineering. This fast start did not slow during his 43 years at B. F. Goodrich. One of his first inventions was PVC, followed by seven patents for vinyl and solid propellants.
• John B. Keefe Sr. – Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Senate, Hennepin County Board Commissioner and a Municipal Court Judge.^[23]
• Greta Kessenich – A scholar of peonies authoring several books on the subject. Secretary-Treasurer of the American Peony Society and editor of the quarterly "Peony Bulletin'.
• Arthur Kleiner – Musical Director for the Museum of Modern Art Film Department. At that time “world's only full-time pianist for silent films.” Pianist and composer for George Balanchine and Agnes DeMille. Active with Walker Art Center and Guthrie Theatre. In 1979 he received the "Film Band in Gold" from the West German government for "many years and exceptional activity in German film". His collection of music scores and manuscripts for almost 700 silent films was donated to the University of Minnesota in 1981.^[24]
• Ellen Lavin - First female to be elected mayor of Hopkins, serving from 1985 - 1987. Ellen Lavin fostered wise economic growth while maintaining an ecologically sound environment, a practice which continues in Hopkins today.
• Harry Leathers – Built one of the area's first automobiles in 1895.
• Michael Lehan – American football player (cornerback) for the Miami Dolphins.^[25] A defensive cornerback who graduated from the University of Minnesota. He played for the Miami Dolphins and several other NFL teams.
• Robert and Helen Lehman – Robert Lehman, a minister of the 1st Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, was active in supporting civil rights, farm workers and sanctuary for Central American Refugees. As a result, he was ‘black-listed’ by Joseph McCarthy’s ‘UnAmerican Activities Committee‘. When the Lehman’s moved to his last congregation in San Jose, California, Helen an actor, founded the San Jose Playhouse.
• Russell S. (Butsie) Maetzold – Exceptional Hopkins High School football and basketball coach. Football - 88 wins - 6 losses and 5 ties. Basketball 508 wins and 62 losses.^[26]
• Payton Manning - Veteran quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner. Peyton Manning attended Tanglen Elementary School in Hopkins during the time his father, Archie Manning, quarterbacked for the Minnesota Vikings.
• James Markham – (1897–1963) Owned and operated the Hennepin County Review weekly newspaper from his office in Hopkins.^[27] In 1934 and 1935, Markham was named one of 11 “All American Newspaper Editors.” He was named President Emeritus of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Markham was a friend and political mentor of Hubert Humphrey.
• Gene Maxwell – Elected to an unprecedented 8 terms as mayor of Hopkins from 1990 to 2016. Remembered for promoting community involvement and progressive economic development. Shepherded many projects significant to the growth of Hopkins including Southwest Light Rail Transit, the Shady Oak Road Expansion, Cottage Grove Park, the Citizens Academy, the Community Emergency Response Team and expansion of the Police Reserves. During his tenure, Hopkins was named the 13th friendliest city in America by Forbes Magazine.
• Archie H. Miller – Born June 8, 1886, the third generation of Millers in Hopkins. His grandfather was the first white settler on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The grandfather, J. P. Miller, then homesteaded in Hopkins in 1852. It was, yes, a log cabin where Archie's father, Frank, was born. Archie started his community life in Hopkins and was elected to 4 terms as City Clerk, Hopkins School Board, and Minnesota State Senate in 1930 where he served as majority leader until his death in 1958. Archie served as Lieutenant Governor from May 1943 to January,1945 during WWII. His legislative commitment involved transportation; expansion of the roads system led to the 'Beltline Road' to allow traffic to circle the Minneapolis expansions and to move commerce more efficiently. It was the first city freeway idea. Two of Archie’s sons, Jerre Austin Miller and Robert "Bob" F. Miller, served as mayors of the City of Hopkins, Jerre 1975 – 1981 and Bob 1981 - 1985.
• Bloomie Mountain – For over 30 years, she with the assistance of Helen Kron, Mary Bastendorf, Hilda Johnson and others provided public library service to the community from the historic Dow mansion.^[28]
• Jerry Noyce – University of Minnesota tennis coach for 15 years compiling a 260-132 (633%) and three Big Ten championships.- inducted into Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.^[29] In 2007, he was one of 20 people appointed to the President's Council Sports and Fitness.^[30]
• Gene O’Brien – Co-publisher of the Hopkins-based Hennepin County Review from 1941 through 1967 and later executive and opinion page columnist for the Minnesota Suburban Newspapers. During that time, he was president of the Hopkins Chamber of Commerce, President of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, Chairman of the Hopkins Zoning and Planning Commission, Director of the Suburban Press Foundation, Director/Treasurer of the Hopkins Rotary and also served from 1959 – 1961 as assistant to Minnesota Third District Member of Congress Roy Wier.
• Dale R. Olseth – President and CEO of Tonka Corporation, Medtronic Inc and SurModics. "He demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to community and ethical leadership" as recognized by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents in 2004.^[31]
• Vance K. Opperman – Chairman of the Board and CEO of Key Investment, Inc. He has served as President and CEO of West Publishing and Chairman of the Board of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota as well as a board member of a number of other companies such as TCF Financial.^[32]
• BeBe Shopp – Miss America - 1948. Noted for her expertise on the Vibraharp. First Miss American to travel abroad and to be crowned in an evening gown, not a swim suit. In 2009 she and five of her "Pageant Sisters" went to Afghanistan to entertain and support the troops. For the past few years, she has lent her talents performing and staging shows for "Share The Music," which produces programs from the American Song Book and Broadway.
• Steve Simon - Minnesota Secretary of State. After serving four terms as Hopkins Representative in the Minnesota Legislature, Steve was elected to a four-year term as Secretary of State taking office in January 2015. In prior years he also served as Assistant Minnesota State Attorney General and as an associate in the Minneapolis law firm, Robins,Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi.
• Jerry Slavin – Minnesota Golden Gloves champion boxer - Successful in the professional ring. Fought 22 bouts- won 18, draw - 2, lost - 2. In the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame.^[33]
• Peter Smith – A veteran advertising man. He writes magazine articles, fiction and poetry and has been a commentator on Minnesota Public Radio's "Morning Edition,” and in the Minneapolis StarTribune and other venues. The "Morning Edition" segments resulted in a book about Minnesota life, "A Porch Sofa Almanac" and later he wrote a memoir, "A Cavalcade of Lesser Horrors.^[34]
• Frank Stodola, PhD – Scientist/Biochemist who played a leading role in the development of penicillin in the early 1940s which was effectively used to combat infections during WWII.^[35]
• Paul Swenson – Head of Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company (later known as Minneapolis Moline), banker, community leader, four time president/mayor of Hopkins.^[36]
• Nadine Strossen – 1967 Hopkins High School Graduate. 1975 Harvard Law School Graduate. President of the American Civil Liberties Union 1991 – 2008.
• Annette Turngren – The October 20, 1938 the Hennepin County Review newspaper announced Annette Turngren, a writer of seven books, had just returned from Sweden where she gathered material for a new novel. Her Flaxen Braids novel was, and still is, widely read. It is a story of what established her as a teller of experiences growing up in Sweden and as immigrants here in Minnesota. Her mother wrote poems and “sketches” which were published in Swedish magazines. Annette never tired of reminding folks she was from Hopkins and couldn’t wait to come back home.
• Joseph C. Vesely – Mayor, civic leader, secretary of 1934 Hennepin County Emergency Relief Administration, chaired a WWII Regional War Powers Office. Hopkins City Attorney, longtime president of the Hopkins Library Board. Member of the University of Minnesota Debate Team.
• W. Robert Worrell – Award winning industrial designer. In 1976 Bob and wife, Judy, founded Worrell Design Inc. which has designed 35 medical devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These designs include diabetes management tools to infusion devices, heart valves, cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators and others awaiting approval. While a substantial portion of the firm's output are medical products, other designs include the ubiquitous "smart straw" on cans of WD-40 and the long lived logo found on Bob Cat Inc. loaders.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hopkins, Minnesota.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hopkins, Minnesota.

• Official City Website
• Hopkins School District 270
• Hopkins Historical Society
• Hopkins Raspberry Festival
• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hopkins, Minnesota