1844Architecture
== History ==
=== 19th century ===
Fridley's post-European/American settlement history began with the construction of the Red River Trails Woods trail for the Red River ox car...
1847History
In 1847, John Banfill became the first settler in the township area, which was known at the time as Manomin.
1851History
In 1851, Banfill platted the actual town of Manomin.
1853Government
In 1853, the first town post office was in operation, and a year later, a ferry crossing the Mississippi River was established.
1857Government
In 1857, the area separated from Ramsey County; Manomin County was established, and it became the smallest county in the nation, with only 18 sections.
1862History
Anthony across from Minneapolis in 1862, began extending rail to Anoka, reaching it through Fridley in 1864.
1870Government
This distinction was short-lived; it was annexed by Anoka County in 1870 and became a township with the same name.
1879Government
In 1879, the Minnesota Legislature, of which Abram Fridley was still a member, changed the township's name to bear his name.
1949Government
Fridley was incorporated in 1949 as a village and became a city in 1957.
1950History
Most of the growth in Fridley occurred between 1950 and 1970.
1957Government
==== Growth ====
In 1957, the village became the City of Fridley, a "home rule charter city".
1964Disaster
A newer fire station was built in 1964.
1965Disaster
==== 1965 flood and tornadoes ====
Two of Fridley's worst disasters happened within weeks of each other.
1967Architecture
==== Post disaster recovery ====
In 1967, a new Civic Center Building opened at the City Hall location, with a plaza to the south.
1970Architecture
The Totino's frozen pizza company opened a factory in Fridley in 1970 as it was growing to a national business.
1975History
The business was sold to Pillsbury in 1975.
1978Education
In 1978, Fridley closed three elementary schools due to declining enrollment: Gardena, Riverwood, and Parkview.
1986Disaster
On July 18, 1986, a widely photographed tornado spent 16 minutes in Springbrook Nature Center, destroying thousands of century-old trees and extensive areas of mature forest hab...
1989Architecture
This building was remodeled in 1989 and demolished in 2019.
2000History
In the 2000 census data, there were 11,542 more jobs in Fridley than the number of workers age 16 and over.
2001Architecture
=== 21st century ===
In 2001, Medtronic opened its new World Headquarters on the site of the 100 Twin Drive-in at Interstate 694 and Minnesota Highway 65.
2003History
On June 19, 2003, President George W.
2005History
On September 21, 2005, Fridley was struck by straight-line winds exceeding 80 mph (130 km/h), toppling many old growth trees as large as 2.5 feet (0.76 m) in diameter and destro...
2009Architecture
Fridley has one of the first six stations of the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis; the line opened in November 2009.
2010Disaster
Magnum Research, a company that produces the Desert Eagle firearm, had its headquarters in Fridley until 2010.
2011Architecture
On July 17, 2011, heavy rains washed out the BNSF rail bridge over Rice Creek.
2013Military
In 2013, a jury awarded damages from BNSF to the train's engineer and conductor.
2016History
The Columbia Arena, filming location for the Disney Movie D3: The Mighty Ducks, was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new City Hall.
2017History
In conjunction with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, it lobbied against Sunday liquor store sales in Minnesota until they were finally permitted in 2017.
2018Education
The Fridley Civic Campus dedication at 7071 University Avenue NE was held on November 17, 2018.
2019Culture
As of 2019, it is still the Operational Headquarters for Medtronic, PLC, which reorganized as an Irish company in 2015.
2021Economy
Fridley received an allocation of $1.52 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
2022Economy
The city plans in 2022 to use the next allocation of $1.52 million to improve security at water treatment plants, rebuild its water distribution system, and on sanitary sewer an...
2024Government
David Ostwald is the mayor, first elected in 2024.