Lakeland Shores, MN

Lakeland Shores is a Washington County city on the west bank of the St. Croix River, just south of Interstate 94 and surrounded by Lakeland. It covers about 443 acres between the river and County Road 18, giving the city a narrow river-and-road shape. The older area was known as Shanghai Coulee, then became part of Lakeland Township and the Village of Lakeland as logging gave way to farms, stores, churches, and schools.

Most of today's city grew from the William and Mary Jones farm. In the 1940s, the family surveyed the land and sold 100- to 150-foot lots along Lakeland Shores Road. Residents incorporated Lakeland Shores in 1949 after rising taxes sharpened the divide between farm land and new homes. There is no industry or shopping inside the city, so everyday errands run toward neighboring river towns. The river remains the city's defining edge, even when errands happen elsewhere. City Council meets at Lake St. Croix Beach City Hall, tying municipal business to the wider lower St. Croix community.