Originally named Red Rock, after a sacred stone painted by the famous Dakota Chief Little Crow, the town was renamed in 1859 when the state legislature discovered another Red Rock Township in Minnesota. At that point, Woodbury was named after Judge Levi Woodbury of New Hampshire, a friend of the first town board chaiman.
The first settlers came to Woodbury in 1844. Most of the area's early settlers migrated from the eastern states and from Germany. Immigrants also came from Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland and Denmark. Over the years the people of Woodbury have contributed in many ways to the rich heritage that the city enjoys today.
In 1844 the town was largely covered with timber. With hard work and a vision the early settlers cleared the land, making way for fields of wheat, barley, corn, and potatoes. Generally the land was rolling and very fertile, which was particularly conducive to dairy farming.
Even before the area was organized as a township, the first school opened its doors in 1855 in a small house owned by William Middleton. Between 1852 and 1868 seven schools were organized in Woodbury. Excellent teaching took place in these little, one-room schools, which had an average of 35 pupils representing all eight grades. After elementary school, some pupils continued their education at the St. Paul College. As Woodbury has grown from the status of township and village to the present-day city, many new schools and educational facilities have been added. The schools, which the pioneers worked so hard to promote, laid the foundation for the excellent schools in Woodbury today.
With that same vision and hard work, the settlers of today have built Woodbury into a safe and fun place to live and raise a family.
Woodbury is the home of major employers, such as The Hartford, Assurant (formerly Fortis), Target.com, eFunds, EcoWater Systems, Long Term Care Group, and Dean Foods/Land O' Lakes, plus many smaller businesses and retail shopping enterprises. Woodbury is also home to Woodwinds Health Campus, which is anchored by a full-service acute care hospital.
Woodbury's greatest asset, however, is the people who live and work here. Hundreds of residents volunteer in city-sponsored programs and on advisory boards; many more take an active role in community life by donating their time through local churches, schools, civic and youth groups, and other organizations. |