northfield suburb

Whether or not we like the notion of suburbia, it is something that is now embedded in American culture. Even the citizens of Northfield must deal with the complexities of suburban life. But, how exactly does Northfield fit into the discussion of suburbs? Often Midwestern pioneer towns established in the late 19^th century are conglomerations of neighborhoods based on suburban planning, ranging from the Victorian era to the most modern housing developments. The oldest communities are often at the center of town closest to a downtown area, with newer neighborhoods spreading progressively outward.

           1855 map of Northfield showing grid structures of                        Central Park as it appears today
    neighborhoods surrounding central park (courtesy of NHS)

This description seems to fit Northfield as it was originally planned in a grid fashion with neighborhoods built around the early-established central park (Rogness 34). These older neighborhoods remain close to the historic downtown district while the newer developments continue to be added onto the edges of Northfield, slowly expanding and changing the shape of the town.   Clifford Clark (31), Professor of History at Carleton College, states, “Whereas the layout of Northfield in the nineteenth century had provided a manageable sense of order . . ., the post-war town sprawled over the landscape, pushing new developments into the farm fields that surrounded it. Nevertheless, Northfield has managed to preserve a distinct sense of place.” Suburban issues became a clear concern in Northfield in the late 1970s and early 1980s when there was an endorsement for growth management within the community. This sentiment stemmed from a desire to safeguard Northfield’s small-town nature from the growth and expansion of the Twin Cities suburbs, which presents Northfield with the prospect of being integrated as a true suburb of a metropolis (Rogness 35). Many residents of Northfield make the 45-60 minute commute, to work in Minneapolis/St. Paul (or vice versa), which further promotes this truly suburban image even. As Northfield and the Twin Cities continue to grow toward one another, we are left with the question of how will Northfield keep itself distinct from the other suburbs?

Picture of beginning stages of development on the south end of Northfield in 2003
(Courtesy of Naura Anderson)

Northfield is a community that has a strong identity and citizens who care immensely about this riverside town. Planning efforts over the past thirty years have included elements that protect the compact, historic downtown business area, limit the town’s physical size and population, and promote neighborhood and work environments that foster an awareness of community (Rogness 35). One example that these planning efforts are working is that the average number of new housing units built per year have remained relatively constant over the past three decades, staying between 90 and 100 units a year (Rogness 36). Dan Rogness, the former Northfield Community Development Director, provides commentary on the strength of the Northfield community and it’s ability to remain an independent and distinct town even as it develops; “Local commitment to Northfield remains strong. The community of ‘cows, colleges, and contentment’ is a growing and changing place that strives to maintain its identity as a small college town on the Cannon River with a sense of history (36).