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INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS <br /> CITY CHARACTERISTICS <br /> The City of Elk River is located 30 miles northwest of Minneapolis at the intersection of <br /> Highway 10 and Highway 169, approximately midway between the Twin Cities and St. <br /> Cloud. The City is located in the southeast corner of Sherburne County and serves as the <br /> County Seat. Since merging with the township in 1978, the City expanded to an area of <br /> 44 square miles and has a current population of approximately 13,000 people. <br /> `i cs EI � R B t3 N E fl t , <br /> q L <br /> RIVER 4`'` `.- 2?C, R V E R \ , <br /> RIVE '�!t ci �` <br /> _ <br /> l \ <br /> c.IT1ES <br /> MAP B-1.1 ELK RIVER LOCATION MAP <br /> Settlement of Elk River began in 1848 and was followed by platting of the town in 1856. <br /> The proximity to both the Elk and Mississippi Rivers offered effective corridors to <br /> transport grain and timber, while also supplying power to run milling operations. The <br /> City grew rapidly during the railroad boom of the late 1800's when three major rail lines <br /> were built through town. This emphasis on transportation enabled Elk River to develop <br /> as a trading and supply center for farmers throughout Sherburne County. The City then <br /> grew slowly until the 1940's when larger cities began to expand, while smaller towns <br /> suffered. Elk River was no exception. It wasn't until the 1970's that the City began to <br /> again grow due to increased mobility allowing people to enjoy the metropolitan amenities <br /> while living in the rural atmospheres of cities like Elk River. <br /> 7 <br />