There are three working theories as to how Golden Valley came to have the name it does today. Each theory is plausible, so the best advice is to read all three stories and choose the one that seems most believable. One theory is that a man by the name of William Varner, in 1853, climbed up a hill and upon reaching the other side exclaimed, "This is my valley, my Golden Valley." Another theory claims that Golden Valley received its name in 1852 from a settler who came across acres and acres of golden wheat. A third theory, upheld by the Irish immigrants, claims that Golden Valley was named after the Golden Vale of Shannon, part of the Shannon River Valley in Western Ireland. Either way you take it, the location of Golden Valley is prime lying just about five miles west of downtown Minneapolis. A first-ring suburb, Golden Valley is known as a magnificent location for its diverse neighborhoods, great housing supply, healthy business community, and award-winning schools.

History  

Whatever Golden Valley story one chooses to believe, there is evidence that people were in the area as early as the 1850s to farm the land. People trickled into the area and in 1886 the village of Golden Valley was incorporated. The area remained agricultural in nature for many years with only a few farms, mills and dairies in the area. In 1912 the Electric Luce Line Railroad cut through the village causing a minor population explosion. Things really took off after World War II, however, and the village grew up eventually becoming an official city in 1972.

Public Safety 

Public safety is important to the city of Golden Valley, which is evident in its low crime rates. In addition to typical police duties, the Golden Valley police department prides itself in its progressive community service. Just a few of the programs that the department has that involve the community are: Kids&Cops, Police Reserves and Juvenile Liaison Officer. The Golden Valley fire department's history of inception dates back to World War II, when 39 residents volunteered to start up a fire department. Authorization was given, and the department was underway. Now more than 50 years later, the department has grown to 3 stations, and instead of volunteer positions, the fire department employs paid on-call firefighters. The Golden Valley fire department, strives to involve the community with special projects and programs. Their duties are not limited to fire calls and community service, rather each rescue team responds to automobile accidents and medical emergencies.

Parks and Recreation  

Leisure for Golden Valley residents is never a problem since the city prides itself in the numerous outdoor activities available year-round. Fifteen percent of the city is made up of parks trails and open spaces including 47 miles of trails and several ball fields. Ice skating fans are sure to love Golden Valley because at least 10 parks offer ice-skating in the wintertime. Weather-permitting, the parks are usually open from mid-December to mid-February for cold climate lovers. The city of Golden Valley also owns and operates the Brookview Golf Course featuring an 18-hole regulation course and a nine-hole pare 3 course.

Schools 

Golden Valley children attend school in one of two districts that service the city. Hopkins School District #270 and Robbinsdale School District #281 are the two districts and each has elementary schools within Golden Valley city limits. There are also private school options available within Golden Valley like the K-12 Breck School, K-8 King of Grace Lutheran School and the K-6 Parkvalley Catholic School. Golden Valley is also home to the publicly run Perpich Center for Arts Education, a school for 11th and 12th graders who major in one of six areas Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Media Arts, and Literary Art.

-Home Owner's Resource Guide