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BEAUTIFUL BY DESIGN
Belle Plaine is a growing community nestled in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley. Located midway between Mankato and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, U.S. Highway 169 provides easy access to this scenic area.
Wide, tree-lined streets and abundant, inviting park lands are two of the legacies left to Belle Plaine by its founder, Minnesota Territorial Judge Andrew G. Chatfield. He selected the townsite in 1853 while traveling on horseback from Mendota to Traverse des Sioux to hold court. Judge Chatfield chose to name the townsite Belle Plaine, French for "beautiful prairie." Today, Belle Plaine serves as the southwest gateway to the seven-county metropolitan area where nature, agriculture and industry unite. Rich prairie land, wooded hills, and the winding river valley encourage residents to enjoy nature every season of the year. This community of more than 3,400 people offers both the genuine neighborliness of the rural area and the electrifying urban culture of the metro area. Diverse lifestyles and many job opportunities are the hall mark of life in Belle Plaine.
Judge Chatfield's vision in the 1850's of wild flowers blooming amid the prairie grasses, gently rolling hills, and stately egrets poised along the scenic river's edge still inspire local residents and visitors today. Belle Plaine has preserved the essence of its past while moving progressively forward with an excellent school system, numerous recreational opportunities, strong community leadership, and a growing economic base.
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