Coon Rapids Dam

Coon Rapids Dam pictured above during construction in 1913. Near here, small village sprang up during construction of the Coon Rapids Dam. At the peak of construction, the site became a community including bunkhouses, mess halls, officials quarters, school, hospital and a sewer system. All aspects of city life were present including births, deaths, weddings, social events, crime, fires and telephone exchange. Approximately 1000 residents of the village worked in and around the clock shifts to build the dam. This spot known as Coon Creek Rapids (later shortened to Coon Rapids) was chosen since it is at one of the shallowest points of the river. Raccoons populated the shallow waters. The Dunn family sold the last piece of land that was needed to build the dam. The dam required 42000 cubic feet of concrete in 800 box car loads of crushed rock. An elevated the water north of the dam by 15 feet and generating electricity from 1919 to 1960. Original Dam was replaced with a damn using inflatable rubber walls in 1998.