To Farmington
Same as Run No. 25 as far as Wescott, where the road forks. You keep to the right. The telephone poles follow the road clear down to Farmington, which is a great help, as it makes it impossible to lose the road. Halfway between Wescott and Farmington you strike Rosemount. Between Wescott and Rosemount is the only bad part of the road. There, you encounter some long and tedious hills and also several sandy spots. But on the whole, the road is fair. At Farmington, there is a bakery where most bicyclists go for refreshments.
On the return trip, it is safest to follow the same road, at least as far as where the road to Mendota branches off from the main road. At that point, you can go straight on to the high bridge and through St. Paul to Minneapolis. The route from the bridge and into Minneapolis is described in Run No. 20. The round trip is about 68 miles.
Minneapolis Daily Times- July 14th, 1895
Farmington, Minnesota, located in Dakota County, is one of the state’s oldest communities, with a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally part of Empire Township, the area attracted settlers in the early 1850s, drawn by its fertile land and strategic location along the Vermillion River. The settlement was initially known as Dakota City, but the presence of the Farmington Station—a key railroad hub—led to the town being commonly referred to as Farmington. The name was adopted officially, reflecting the area’s agricultural character and possibly honoring Farmington, New York .
The village was formally platted in 1864, and a business district with a railroad depot was established a year later. Farmington’s first attempt at incorporation in 1868 was unsuccessful due to political opposition. However, persistence paid off, and in 1872, Farmington received its village charter, becoming the second incorporated community in Dakota County after Hastings .
A significant event in Farmington’s history was the relocation of the Dakota County Fair to the city in 1869. This move bolstered Farmington’s status as a regional hub. However, the city faced adversity with the Great Fire of November 22, 1879, which destroyed several homes, businesses, a hotel, and a grain elevator downtown. The fire was reportedly started by a firework cart that was knocked over in a buggy accident.
Despite such challenges, Farmington continued to grow. The first class graduated from Farmington High School in 1884, and in 1897, the city became one of the first in the United States to offer rural free mail delivery. The city’s centennial was celebrated in 1972, marking a century of development and community building.
Today, Farmington is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area has expanded to include several suburban neighborhoods north of the original downtown. Despite this growth, the city maintains its historical charm, with landmarks like the Exchange Bank Building (built in 1880), the Church of the Advent (built in 1872), and the Daniel F. Akin House, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.