Blaine
This tall brick courthouse was built in 1878 on the corner of Main Street and Third Ave in the city of Anoka. Charlie Sell remembered sitting on the wrought iron fence that circled the building to watch cars cruise up and down Main Street. It was torn down in 1960 for the current Government Center at the same location.
At A Glance
1857: Originally organized as part of Anoka Township
1877: Blaine Township organized
1880: Population 128
1954: Incorporated as the Village of Blaine
1964: City of Blaine organized
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First permanent settler believed to be Irish immigrant Phillip Laddy in 1862. He lived near the lake which now bears his name: Laddy Lake.
Green Chambers enlisted as a private in Co. H of 115th U.S. Colored infantry in 1864. A former slave, Chambers reunited with his family after the war and settled on 160 acres in Blaine.
Blaine named after James G. Blaine of Maine. He served as U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents Garfield and Arthur, and also an, unsuccessful, Presidential candidate during the Republican National Conventions in 1876, 1880, & 1884.
Johnsville is a neighborhood name associated with area near Main Street and Hwy 65 in Blaine. Folklore says the Johnsville is named after local resident John Augustson. ACHS is still looking for documentation and memory to say for sure.
