On This Date In Twin Cities History - May 23, 1879

On this date in 1857, Anoka County was organized by an act of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature. It was formed from parts of Ramsey and Benton Counties. Anoka County took its name from the city of Anoka which adopted it in 1853.  It is a Sioux word meaning “on both sides”, a reference to the original plat of the villiage laid out on both sides of the Rum River.