Hastings was established in the 1840's, making it one of the oldest Cities in the State of Minnesota The City is steeped in history and tradition, with a vibrant Main Street that is currently undergoing an ambitious redevelopment, and numerous historic buildings that are listed on the National Historic Register Founded in 1857, Hastings is blessed with many Victorian residences in numerous tree-lined neighborhoods Along with the classic Main Street Downtown area, the City of Hastings is also a growing community with strong commercial and residential development on the western and southern edges of our City limits. This unique combination of history and development makes Hastings a wonderful and interesting place to live and work.
In keeping with our tradition of maintaining and cherishing our history, the City of Hastings purchased the Historic Dakota County Courthouse and completed a major renovation of which was completed in 1993. This beautiful facility now serves as the City Hall, and is a cornerstone of the downtown area Filled with artwork which recognizes the tradition of our City, visitors are invited to walk through our facility during normal business hours. In addition, visitors are also invited to stop by the Pioneer Room, which provides historical information and records for visitors.
Hastings is located approximately twenty miles south of the capital city of St. Paul and is situated such that many residents work in the City, and yet return to their home at the end of the day in Hastings to enjoy the many amenities that our community has to offer.
Hastings is also known for its beautiful scenery. The Mississippi River borders Hastings to the north, and the St. Croix River bluffs frame it on the east The Vermillion River slices through the City on the south, producing a spectacular waterfall located at Vermillion Falls Park Numerous natural resources and recreational opportunities also exist in the City of Hastings
The City has numerous bike and walking trails that traverse the entire City as well as many parks offer a wide range of recreational opportunities