Cottage Grove, Suburban city in Washington County, Minnesota
Cottage Grove is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, located about 10 miles south of Saint Paul on the north bank of the Mississippi River. The town spreads across a suburban landscape with tree-lined streets and residential neighborhoods connected to the metro area by major highways.
The settlement was established in 1843 as a farming community centered on wheat cultivation and early dairy production. Over the following decades, it transformed from purely agricultural pursuits into a town with growing manufacturing and industrial activity.
In June, locals and visitors fill Kingston Park for Strawberry Fest with parades, game booths, and fireworks that light up the evening sky. The festival reflects the town's origins as a fruit-growing area and how the community still celebrates this agricultural heritage.
Interstate 494 and U.S. Highway 61 provide direct connections to Saint Paul and surrounding towns for easy driving. Public transportation options serve the area, making it possible to visit without a car if you prefer not to drive.
A major 3M manufacturing plant has operated within city limits since 1947, producing adhesive products, polymers, and reflective materials used on road signs. This industrial presence transformed the town from a purely agricultural area into a regional manufacturing hub.
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