Located in Washington County, near the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, Cottage Grove is a vibrant community with a growing manufacturing and retail economy. The largely residential area of the city contains well-established neighborhoods as well as some newly built communities. Cottage Grove, like Woodbury and Oakdale is a suburban community along the eastern part of St. Paul. Located along Highway 61, Cottage Grove is just 15 miles southeast of downtown St. Paul and 15 miles northwest of Hastings.

History 

Cottage Grove got its name from a home built by 19th Century settler J.W. Furber who called his residence the “Cottage in the Grove.” The city was settled in the 1840s with the creation of the Langdon and “Old Cottage Grove” villages. Cottage Grove is now one of the fastest-growing communities in Minnesota.

A Fine Place 

The community is an older residential, commercial, and industrial city that continues to experience growth. Not only is this suburb particularly scenic, there are also many excellent housing values available. The many winding streets filled with well-maintained homes, from starter on up to retirement, make one believe Cottage Grove is a wonderful place to live. As one resident put it, “I like the fresh air and a quality of life I can feel, not just read about.” 

Parks and Recreation

There are plenty of recreational activities available in and around Cottage Grove to satisfy almost everyone. These include many park areas and walking trails, an indoor ice arena, cross-country skiing at South Washington Park, downhill skiing in Afton, and an 18-hole Championship Golf Course. The city has over 20 parks varying in size from a few acres to the large 450 acre Ravine Park.

Not only does the community have a lot to offer in the recreation venue, Cottage Grove also has many annual events bringing the community together. These events take place throughout the year and include: a Halloween Parade, The Great Grove Get Together, Fourth of July Fireworks at Kingston Park, Chamber Golf Tournament, Pioneer and Heritage Days. 

Schools

South Washington School District #833 is headquartered in Cottage Grove and covers the cities of Cottage Grove, Woodbury, St. Paul Park and Newport. The district has fourteen elementary schools, four junior high schools and two high schools.

-Home Owner's Resource Guide