Residents of Brooklyn Center have a great deal of pride in their community and for good reason. A diverse population, affordable housing, quality education, convenient health care, year-round recreation and healthy business community are all reasons for this pride. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River just north of downtown Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center is still a growing community. Home of the Brookdale Center Shopping Mall, the city also offers numerous shopping opportunities.

History

The area that eventually became Brooklyn Center was occupied by the American Indian tribe known as the Dakota, or Sioux, until it was opened up for settlement in the 1850s. With settlement came rapid growth and the formation of two cities—Brooklyn Township and Crystal Township. Both townships were encroached upon by the rapidly expanding mill city of Minneapolis and there were concerns that eventually it would absorb the two smaller townships. Local residents of the two townships, most of which were market farmers, officially created the township of Brooklyn Center in 1911 to prevent Minneapolis from taking over. The city had only 500 people at the time but the plan worked and the city has thrived throughout the rapid expansion of the area. 

Earle Brown Heritage Center

The Earle Brown Heritage Center is a historic estate complete with a barn and stables as well as over 36,000 square feet of meeting space for conferences and events. The center is named after one of the city’s most famous residents, Earle Brown, who once had a 750-acre farm on the present day site. Brown moved into the area in the 1880s and served as a Hennepin county sheriff, founder of the state highway patrol and candidate for Minnesota governor. The first airport in the state was located on his farm. Brown passed away in 1963 after giving his farm to the University of Minnesota in 1949. 

Parks and Recreation

Brooklyn Center’s community center features an Olympic sized indoor swimming pool complete with 150-foot waterslide, zero-depth entry wading pool, arcade, exercise room, and fitness studio. There are 522 acres of parks and nature centers containing amenities such as tennis courts, play areas, hockey rinks, baseball diamonds and basketball counts. A variety of trails crisscross through the community for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. 

Schools

Brooklyn Center is divided into four school districts: Anoka-Hennepin District 11, Osseo District 279, Robbinsdale District 281 and Brooklyn Center District 286. Because of the diversity of the community, students from Brooklyn Center have a wide variety of experiences available to them. Brooklyn Center is also home to several institutions of higher education including Brown College, National American University, and the Minnesota School of Business-Globe College.

-Home Buyer's Resource Guide