Community Information

About Zimmerman and the Surrounding Area

Gateway to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Dunes State Forest, the greater Zimmerman area provides a panoramic view of nature.

A diverse housing market offers rental property and homes, from entry-level to executive country living, making the area attractive to a growing population. Close proximity to the northwest suburbs of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area allows residents to commute to employment opportunities. There is also a growing base of professional, retail, skilled and semi-skilled job opportunities locally. Zimmerman is truly a community with something for everyone.

The community is made up of several areas: The City of Zimmerman, roughly two square miles surrounding the business district, lies entirely within Livonia Township. Livonia Township, a six-by-six mile section of land, is bordered by Elk River to the south, Isanti County to the east, Baldwin Township to the north, and Orrock Township to the west.

The majority of our area is served by the Elk River Area School District #728. Currently, the district manages nine elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, one early childhood education center, one alternative learning center and community recreation. There are several Christian and charter schools in the area.

The Zimmerman postal area also has addresses in Baldwin and Orrock Townships, as well as some that extend into Isanti County.

Zimmerman and Livonia Township are located in Sherburne County, one of the fastest growing counties of the state. The population growth has placed a demand for services on the community. Remarkably, Zimmerman and Livonia have maintained services with this growth rate, and are actively planning for the growth and development of the area.

Lake Fremont and many surrounding lakes provide residents with water-oriented recreational activities.

Three golf courses are located within eight miles of Zimmerman.

History of the Zimmerman Area

Livonia Township, established in 1866, originally had three areas of settlement. Lake Fremont and the southeastern area, called the Spencer Settlement, were first settled in the mid-1850s, while farmers moved into the Meadowvale area in the later 1870s. The origin of the name Livonia is unknown, though one source attributes it to the wife of Benjamin Spencer. Lake Fremont was named after the western explorer, John C. Fremont. Meadowvale has no known historical reference for its name.

The "Road to Princeton" running through the township was a stagecoach route from Elk River to points north. A major stopping place was the Bean farm, which served as a store and post office. Eventually, the Great Northern Railroad tracks ran parallel to the road. In the 1920s, the highway was paved after some of the more dangerous curves were taken out.

The Village of Lake Fremont was incorporated in 1910. In 1967, the town was renamed the City of Zimmerman. The name Zimmerman is derived either from the first postmaster, Henry Zimmerman, or from Moses Zimmerman, a local farmer who was influential in promoting the railroad coming through the area.

The town’s most disastrous fire burned an entire block on August 6, 1923. The brick bank building, still standing, was the only building remaining after the fire. New buildings were soon erected.

Disastrous fires proved the need for some form of community fire protection. About 1920, a chemical barrel was mounted on a hand wagon. In 1958, an organized fire department purchased a modern, better equipped, fire truck.

Today, the Zimmerman/Livonia Volunteer Fire Department maintains a fleet of 10 vehicles, a snowmobile with a rescue sled, and a water rescue sled. The area is also served by the North Sherburne Fire & Rescue Department, located in Baldwin Township