Apple Valley

About - Apple Valley's historical roots lead back to the mid-1800's when it was a farming community known as Lebanon Township. The first settlers to the area were belived to have come from the east coast around 1855. On April 6, 1858, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners created Union Township. The Board met again on April 26, 1858 and changed the boundaries of Union Township, creating Lebanon Township from a portion of the former Union Township. The first town meeting was held on May 11, 1858 in a home near the area that is now Westview Elementary School. Lebanon Township remained much the same for its first century. The Town's population in 1881 was 252 and in 1960 was 585.

The Township began to transform in the mid-1950's. Residential neighborhoods began to develop in the spring of 1955. A Planning Commission was established in 1962. In 1963, Orrin Thompson began building in the area. Thompson selected the name "Apple Valley" for several of his plats on either side of County Road 42 located in the southwest corner of the City. Thompson had an apple tree planted at each home in the some of the new developments. In 1966, a volunteer fire department was organized. In the general election of 1968, the residents voted to incorporate the Town of Lebanon as the Village of Apple Valley. A mayor and four councilmembers were elected and took office on January 1, 1969. On January 1, 1974, Apple Valley became a statutory city.

Attractions - Apple Valley is home to the Minnesota Zoo, ranked among the nation's best year-round zoos. The zoo hosts over 2,700 creatures living in natural habitat exhibits. The Zoo features Discovery Bay, with a 500,000 gallon dolphin pool and 200,000 gallon shark tank.

Apple Valley offers a variety of sporting activities including Valleywood Golf Course, an 18 hole, championship golf course, and a private executive course. Apple Valley also offers a wide variety of shopping and dining options.

The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area offers several professional team sports, music, dance and theater companies, museums, and cultural activities. In addition, the Metro area is home to an abundance of parks, trails and sporting activities. For those who prefer to shop, there are numerous shopping centers, including the nation's largest fully-enclosed retail center, the Mall of America.