Osseo, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Osseo
City
Osseo City Hall and Library
Location of the city of Osseo within Hennepin County, Minnesota
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Hennepin
Founded	1875
Area
• Total	0.74 sq mi (1.92 km2)
• Land	0.74 sq mi (1.92 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	886 ft (270 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,688
• Density	3,622.64/sq mi (1,398.08/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Codes	55311, 55369
Area code(s)	763
FIPS code	27-49012
GNIS feature ID	0649024

Osseo is a small city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. In 2020, about 2,688 people lived there. It's a friendly place with a rich history and fun community events.

What's in a Name?

The name "Osseo" comes from the Ojibwe word "Waaseyaa". This word means "There is light" or "Son of the Evening Star." You might have heard the name "Osseo" in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, The Song of Hiawatha.

Osseo's Location

Osseo is located in the northeastern part of Hennepin County. It shares its borders with Brooklyn Park to the east and Maple Grove to the west. The city covers about 0.74 square miles (1.92 square kilometers), and all of it is land.

Getting Around Osseo

Three main roads help people travel through Osseo:

• Jefferson Highway runs north and south. Its main business part is called Central Avenue.
• U.S. Highway 169 runs along the eastern edge of the city.
• Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81) goes northwest through Osseo.

A Look Back at Osseo's History

Osseo in 1869

The area where Osseo now stands was settled even before local governments were set up. In 1852, Pierre Bottineau called this area Bottineau Prairie. The first community here was known as Palestine.

In 1856, parts of the town were officially mapped out. One part was named Osseo, and another was called "City of Attraction." These two areas later joined together. Osseo officially became a city on March 17, 1875.

Early Settlers and Businesses

After Native American tribes moved from the area, new groups of people came to settle. Many were French Canadians, New Englanders, Swiss, and Germans. These early pioneers started many businesses, including:

• Blacksmiths (who worked with metal)
• Wagon makers
• General stores
• Shoe and boot makers
• Hotels, like the Niggler Hotel (1867) and the International Hotel (1874)

The community also had a Catholic church built in 1858, a doctor, a school, a post office, and even a small jail.

Growth and Development

Big changes came to Osseo in the late 1800s and early 1900s:

• In 1882, the Great Northern Railroad started running through town.
• A telephone station was set up in 1893.
• A town hall was built in 1901.
• The city got its own water system and fire department in 1915.
• The main street, which used to be an old Indian trail, was paved in 1918.
• New churches were built, including Osseo Lutheran Church around 1915 and the Methodist Church in 1922.
• The first Osseo High School opened in 1924.
• By 1928, Osseo was a major center for selling potatoes in the Northwest region.

John Hechtman, often called "The Father of Osseo," helped the town grow a lot.

Honoring Veterans

Near today's City Hall, there are special memorials for U.S. military veterans from Osseo.

• In 1937, a large stone monument was put up to remember soldiers from the Civil War.
• On Memorial Day in 1945, another memorial was added. It has a bronze plate with names of those who served in the Spanish–American War, World War I, and World War II.
• In 1957, this memorial area was named Father Boerboom Park. It honors a pastor and school principal who served the community for many years.

The Osseo Water Tower, built in 1915, is also an important historical landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

Learning in Osseo

Osseo has its own schools within the city limits: Osseo Middle School and Osseo Senior High School. The Osseo Area School District 279 provides free public education for students from Osseo and nearby communities. This district also serves Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Corcoran, Dayton, and Hassan.

The school district's goal is to help all students feel confident, brave, and skilled. This way, they can achieve their dreams, help their community, and enjoy learning throughout their lives.

Osseo's Population

As of 2020, Osseo had 2,688 people living in 1,273 homes. Most residents are White. About 15.4% of the people are under 18 years old, and 27.2% are 65 or older. Many residents (29.2%) have German family roots. Only a small number of people (3.9%) live in poverty.

Fun Annual Events

Osseo has many social clubs and fun activities happening all year!

Osseo Orchard

In 2017, volunteers planted over 30 fruit trees and berry bushes at the Osseo Public Works site. You can find it at 2nd Street SE and 8th Ave SE. The orchard has apples, pears, plums, and cherries. You can also find blueberries, currants, and jostaberries. Everyone in Osseo is welcome to visit the orchard and pick ripe fruit!

Concerts and Movies in the Park

Thanks to local citizens, a special stage called a bandshell was built in Boerboom Veterans Park downtown. In the summer, this stage is a popular spot! Musicians perform on Tuesday evenings, and then, as it gets dark, a movie is shown. These events are usually free for everyone to enjoy.

Osseo Marching Band Festival

The Osseo Marching Band Festival is a competition where high school marching bands perform along a route through the city. These types of competitions are popular in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Osseo festival happens every year on the Saturday of the last full weekend in June. After the parade, there's a free award ceremony at the High School Stadium.

Lions Roar

The Osseo Lions Club hosts the Osseo Lions Roar. This event takes place on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day. It includes:

• A street fair with crafts
• A carnival with rides and games
• A parade at noon on Saturday, featuring local groups like sports teams, scout troops, and the Osseo Marching Band.

Osseo Lions Kiddie Costume Parade

This fun parade is held on a Saturday at the end of October, starting at noon. Kids dress up in costumes and parade from North Clinic on Central Avenue to Boerboom Park.

Minnidazzle

Every December, usually on the first Friday, the community celebrates the upcoming holidays with Minnidazzle. This event includes:

• A Fire Truck Parade
• Hot drinks and a bonfire
• A chance for children to meet Santa and get a free goodie bag!

This event is free and open to everyone.

Famous People from Osseo

Many interesting people have come from Osseo, including:

• Brian Merritt Bergson, a state legislator in Minnesota.
• Andy Hedlund, a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman.
• Kevin Kling, an award-winning storyteller and author.
• James Martinez, a champion wrestler.
• Charles Munn, who was the 37th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
• Caleb Truax, a professional middleweight boxer.
• Nash Jensen, a professional football player.

See also

In Spanish: Osseo (Minnesota) para niños