Plymouth is one of the fastest growing communities in the Twin Cities for a variety of reasons, including location and accessibility. Located 12 miles northwest of downtown Minneapolis, Plymouth is strategically located along several major highways providing easy access in all directions. Combine that with a diverse housing stock, lakes, and park system and it is no wonder why residents love their community. As the city wisely expands they continue to attract new residents and businesses.

History 

Plymouth's history can be traced back to 1400's. The original inhabitants of Plymouth were the Dakota with their encampment located on the north end of Medicine Lake. The name Medicine Lake is derived from the Dakota word "Mdewakan," meaning "Lake of the Spirit." The Dakota named it after a warrior overturned his canoe in the lake and was never recovered. Antoine LeCounte, a guide and explorer, was the first settler to this area, arriving in 1848. He carried mail from the Red River country to points south, trading goods to Native Americans for horses on the way. Plymouth's beginnings as a town started in 1855 when a gristmill and other structures were built on the northwest shores of what is now known as Parkers Lake. As new settlers came to the area, they decided to organize and in 1858 the group voted to change the town's name to Medicine Lake. This name was used once at the town meeting, but for reasons not recorded it was never used again. Farming became the trade of most settlers. Roads were built across Plymouth, making access to other towns possible. Medicine Lake had become a major tourist attraction and resorts were built around its shores. Even though the town has been around for a long time, the current city charter was not approved until 1993.

Hilde Performance Center 

The Hilde Performance Center is an open-air stage located in the Plymouth Amphitheater near city hall. This center was made possible through a gift from former Mayor Al Hilde, Jr. and his wife, Jayne. The open-air stage was designed by the architects who designed the Lake Harriet Band Shell in Minneapolis. The 45-foot tall facility has a raised stage and an acoustic-friendly undulating roof. A glass wall in the back of the stage allows the audience to view the wetlands beyond the stage. The stage serves as a home for Music in Plymouth, an annual outdoor concert by the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as other performing arts.

Plymouth has built a reputation as a leader in recreation programming as well as beautiful parks, trails and recreation facilities. The city features an extensive park system covering over 1,000 acres of land and including 80 miles of trails. The park system offers community playfields, large multi-purpose city parks, small neighborhood parks and a skate park. There are also several city-owned undeveloped open spaces of land throughout the community. Medicine Lake and Parkers Lake are picturesque locations where many residents choose to gather. 

Schools

Four highly regarded school districts serve Plymouth including Wayzata School District #284, Robbinsdale School District #281, Osseo School District #279, and Hopkins School District #270. Most of the city, particularly the south and west portions, is served by the Wayzata School District. The Robbinsdale School District serves the east-central area of Plymouth; the Osseo School District includes the northeast area; and, the Hopkins School District includes the southeast corner of Plymouth.

-Home Owner's Resource Guide