Osseo, Minnesota


Osseo is a small city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,430, and in 2018 the estimated population was 2,757.
It is said that "Osseo" is derived from the Ojibwe name waaseyaa meaning "there is light", although more commonly known as "Son of the Evening Star". Henry W. Longfellow mentions Osseo in his poem The Song of Hiawatha. It is claimed that Longfellow visited Osseo while in St. Anthony.

History

The area that is now Osseo was settled before organized local government. It was on what Pierre Bottineau named "Bottineau Prairie" in 1852, and the community was called Palestine. In 1856 part of the town was platted as Osseo and another part as "City of Attraction". Official Minnesota Territory surveys placed the settlement on the border of two townships. When Brooklyn Township and Maple Grove Township organized, Osseo was governed by those two governments. Osseo incorporated on March 17, 1875.
The ethnic groups that moved in after Native tribes were removed were mostly French Canadians, New Englanders, Swiss and Germans. The pioneers' businesses included blacksmiths, wagonmakers, general merchandise stores, boots & shoemakers, harness makers, tin shops, cordwood suppliers, teamsters, saloons, and hotels. There was also a Catholic church, a physician, school, post office, and calaboose. Methodist and Lutheran pioneers were served in their homes until the 20th century.
In 1882 the Great Northern Railroad "came steaming through town", and in 1893 a telephone station appeared. A town hall was built in 1901. The city water system and fire department began in 1915. The original Indian trail—extending from St. Paul to St. Cloud—was the town's main street, and was paved in 1918. The Osseo Lutheran Church was built approximately 1915; the Methodist Church was built in 1922. The first Osseo High School was built in 1924. 1928 was the peak when "Osseo had one of the largest potato markets in the Northwest."
"The Father of Osseo" was described in a newspaper article written at the death of John Hechtman, and informs the reader of Osseo's opportunities and social organizations of his time.
Opposite today's City Hall are memorials to US military veterans from Osseo. In 1937 a large granite monument was erected in memory of Civil War soldiers. On Memorial Day 1945 another Honor Roll was constructed of granite with a bronze plate engraved with names of those who served during the Spanish–American War, World War I and World War II. In 1957 the memorial area was named Father Boerboom Park, after a pastor of St. Vincent Rectory and the principal of its parochial school who had served since 1917.
The Osseo Water Tower, built in 1915, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

Geography

Osseo is in northeastern Hennepin County, bordered by Brooklyn Park to the east and Maple Grove to the west. It has an area of, all of it land.
There are three main transportation routes in the city. Jefferson Highway runs straight north/south through the city; the business stretch is Central Avenue. U.S. Highway 169 follows the east boundary. Bottineau Boulevard runs northwest through the city.

Government

Osseo incorporated in 1875 as a village and became a statutory city in 1972. The city council is composed of a mayor and four councilors. City departments are Economic Development, Planning, Administration, Community Development, Fire, Parks/Recreation, Police, and Public Services. The Osseo Library is in the city hall building and is a branch of the Hennepin County Library System. The city publishes a quarterly newsletter, Osseo Outlook, and co-publishes an annual resident guide with Maple Grove; both are online. City facilities include a community center. The city is a member of the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Education

Schools within the city limits are Osseo Middle School and Osseo Senior High School.
Osseo and surrounding communities are served free public education from primary level to secondary level by the Osseo Area School District 279. The school district also provides free public education for Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Corcoran, Dayton and Hassan. The District's superintendent is Kate Maguire.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,430 people, 1,128 households, and 575 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 1,217 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 4.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 1.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.
There were 1,128 households of which 20.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.0% were non-families. 42.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age in the city was 46.1 years. 16.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

Annual events

Osseo has multiple social clubs and ongoing activities:
Concerts in the Park
A recent effort led by a few of Osseo's citizens has enabled the construction of a bandshell in the northeast corner of Boerboom Park at the center of downtown. The bandshell is a popular place during June, July and August. During those months, each Tuesday evening musicians perform in the bandshell followed at dusk by a movie. This activity is supported by local donations and all but one or two events are free to the public.
Osseo Marching Band Festival
The Osseo Marching Band Festival is a street marching competition between high school bands along a route through the city. Popular in northern midwestern states including Minnesota and Wisconsin, street marching band competitions are held in May, June and July. The Osseo Marching Band Festival is held each year on Saturday of the last full weekend in June. An award ceremony is held afterward in the High School Stadium and is free for the public to attend. This activity is organized by the Osseo Band Boosters and funded by local donations, corporate sponsorship and fund-raising activities.
Lions Roar
The Osseo Lions Roar, hosted by the Osseo Lions Club, is held on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day. It includes a street fair with crafts, a carnival in the parking lots near Central Avenue and 3rd Street, and a parade at noon on Saturday beginning at Sipe's Park and ending at the Osseo Senior High School. The parade features local organizations such as sports teams from the high school, girl scout and boy scout troops, and the Osseo Marching Band.
Osseo Lions Kiddie Costume Parade
Osseo Lions Kiddie Costume Parade is held on Saturday at the end of October each year at noon. The parade starts at North Clinic on Central Avenue and ends at Boerboom Park.
Tree Lighting and Santa in the Park
Each December, usually the first Friday in December, the community celebrates the upcoming holidays with horse-drawn wagon rides, hot beverages and a chance for the kids to meet Santa and get a free goodie bag. This activity is sponsored by the Osseo Business Association. It is free and open to the public.

Notable people