Oakdale, city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States
Oakdale is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, made up of older neighborhoods and newer residential developments that blend together throughout the area. The landscape includes homes from different eras, ranging from houses built before 1939 to modern subdivisions constructed after 2010, with Interstate 694 and major highways running through it.
Oakdale was founded as a township in 1858 and took its name from the oak trees covering the land, beginning as a farming community. The area transformed from rural farmland to suburban city between 1926 and 1968, when divisions and mergers reshaped its boundaries until it became an official city.
Oakdale takes its name from the oak trees that once covered the landscape, a choice made in 1858 that still shapes how residents connect with their surroundings. The small lakes scattered throughout the area remain gathering places where people enjoy outdoor life today.
Oakdale is easily reached via Interstate 694 and is crossed by several main highways including Route 36, Route 5, and Stillwater Boulevard, making navigation straightforward. The city is laid out with clear traffic patterns, and most neighborhoods are accessible by car, though some areas are walkable depending on where you are.
Oakdale started as a stagecoach stop, with early inns like the Lake House and Halfway House serving travelers moving between St. Paul and Stillwater on important colonial-era routes. These roadside hotels were key gathering points that shaped how the settlement first developed and connected to the wider region.
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