History
Long before the town of Maple Lake ever appeared on a map, the land was a quiet expanse of forest and water, home to the Dakota and Chippewa peoples. They lived in harmony with the land, hunting game in the woods and fishing in the clear waters of the lake that would one day give the town its name. For centuries, this place was sacred ground—rich in natural beauty and steeped in tradition.
In the early 1800s, as the United States expanded westward, explorers like Zebulon Pike passed through the region, laying claim to vast territories. By the mid-1850s, the U.S. government had opened Wright County to settlers, and the first pioneers began arriving, drawn by the promise of fertile soil and abundant timber. Among them were Irish immigrants, many from County Clare, who brought with them a deep sense of community and faith.
One of the earliest settlers was Patrick O’Loughlin Sr., who arrived with his family and laid the foundation for what would become Maple Lake. His son-in-law, James Madigan, would later play a pivotal role in shaping the town. In 1886, Madigan officially platted the village, carving out streets and lots from the wilderness. The name “Maple Lake” was chosen not just for the body of water nearby, but for the township in which it sat—a nod to the towering maple trees that colored the landscape each autumn.
As the years passed, Maple Lake grew from a scattering of homesteads into a bustling village. A post office was established in 1858, and with it came a sense of permanence. Churches were built, schools opened, and businesses sprang up along the main street. The town became a hub for farmers and tradesmen, a place where neighbors gathered for Sunday services, town meetings, and summer picnics by the lake.
The Irish influence remained strong. Families like the O’Loughlins, Madigans, and Murphys became pillars of the community, their names etched into the town’s history. Maple Lake was a place where stories were passed down through generations—tales of hardship, resilience, and celebration.
In 1946, a thoracic surgeon named Dr. James R. Jude, who would later help develop CPR, compiled a scrapbook of photographs capturing life in Maple Lake. These images offered a glimpse into the soul of the town. Today, they are preserved in the Maple Lake Library Archives, alongside thousands of obituaries, marriage announcements, and newspaper clippings that chronicle the town’s journey through time.
Though small in size, Maple Lake has always been rich in spirit. Its motto, “A Proud Past and a Bright Future,” speaks to a community that honors its roots while looking ahead. With just over 2,000 residents, the town remains close-knit, its lake still shimmering in the summer sun, its maple trees still blazing with color each fall.
Maple Lake is more than a dot on the map—it’s a living story. A place where history breathes through the walls of old buildings, where the past is never far from the present, and where every family, every street, and every season adds a new chapter to the tale.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census [7] of 2010, there were 2,059 people, 773 households, and 528 families living in the city. The population density was 923.3 inhabitants per square mile (356.5/km2). There were 822 housing units at an average density of 368.6 per square mile (142.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 773 households, of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.22.
The median age in the city was 32.3 years. 31% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.9% were from 25 to 44; 22.4% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census [2] of 2000, there were 1,633 people, 621 households, and 388 families living in the city. The population density was 848.9 inhabitants per square mile (327.8/km2). There were 632 housing units at an average density of 328.6 per square mile (126.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.02% White, 0.24% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population. 52.4% were of German, 8.6% Irish and 7.4% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 621 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,047.50, and the median income for a family was $54,423. Males had a median income of $35,375 versus $25,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,476. About 2.3% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.
