The history of Hassan Township is similar to that of Corcoran. Both are located in the northwest portion of Hennepin County; both were originally heavily-timbered; and both were eventually developed into profitable farming communities.
Founders
In April, 1855, Henry C. Parslow with Jasper S. Hawkins, both about 24 years old, penetrated the "Big Woods" around Hassan, took claims and settled land. In May the two began clearing fields to raise potatoes and vegetables, and they also built two log cabins, as they expected others from the Parish of Slymbridge in Gloucestershire, England. Jasper S. Hawkins wrote of the various obstacles that the pioneers had to overcome. One of the major problems was constructing adequate roadways to their settlement. Although it was no easy task, the ax-blazen trail leading through this portion of the "Big Woods" was soon sufficiently cleared of trees, to permit passage.
Settlement
There were 65 people (or families) that settled in the Hassan area during the years of 1854-1856. Most of these people engaged in agricultural pursuits; and a strong bond of closeness was developed as neighbors helped one another to clear the land. While the soil soon proved conductive to the raising of crops, the early Hassan farmers were plagued by low market prices. Fortunately, this was a short-term problem, and before long the pioneers were realizing a profit for their crops.
Settlement in 1854 by European immigrants brought about major changes in the landscape of what is now Hassan Township. Orginally, as part of the "Big Woods", the areas was heavily timbered with oak, elm, basswood, ash, and maple. Large areas of marshland also existed. As settlers arrived, the woods were cleared and the land was tilled for farmstead construction and crop production.
An ill-fated attempt was made in 1856 to establish a townsite near the Crow River. H.S. Norton had his property surveyed and platted for this purpose, however, due to the low number of lots sold, Mr. Norton was forced to abandon his dream.
Hassan Township's admission of the State to the Union was in 1858. Early on, small trade centers, known as hamlets, emerged in Hassan Township to serve the needs of the settlers. The hamlet of Hassan was first settled in 1854 and then organized in 1860 along Territorial Road in Section 21. Between 1854 and 1881, Hassan contained a clustering of houses, a post office, St. John's Episcopal Church, a school and a town hall. Today, the original St. John's Episcopal Church and a Hassan Town Hall remain. Although not the earliest settlement, Fletcher, originally named St. Walburga by German immigrants, has become the most notable. It stands at the intersection of Territorial Road and County Road 116 (Fletcher Lane) in Hassan Township.
First Election of Officers
On April 3, 1860, a meeting was held at the home of H.C. Parlow to elect the first Hassan Township officers. Those selected as supervisors were: Gideon Reeves, Chairman, Harvey Hicks and Richard Quinn, Board Supervisors. C.J. Parlow was chosen as Town Clerk, while the duties of Treasurer were given to S. Parslow. A. Borthwick was named as Assessor; and Henry Ghostly was elected Justice of the Peace. The town's first Constables were Patrick Hynes and John Parslow. Benjamin Wright was elected Superintendent of Schools. The two schools in Hassan included Crystal Lake and Hassan.
Prior to that time, two other town meetings had been held. The first one in the Spring of 1858 resulted in the election of A.B. Coombs as a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. Later that year, another meeting was held for the purpose of determining the township name. There were reportedly two names being considered...'Ino' and 'Hassan'...each receiving strong support by area residents. Needless to say, Hassan, which is an Indian word for Crow) was the victor.
Schools
The first school sessions were conducted by Miss Sarah Ward in 1857. The log school house was located in section 19. Soon after, a second school was established at the corner of Tucker Road and Territorial Road. Miss Helen Tilton was the teacher.
Fletcher is considered to be the "finest example of a traditional crossroads hamlet in Hennepin County" and is eligible to become a historic district by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Historic Territorial Road
The "Minneapolis-Monticello Road" (Surveyed by George B. Wright in 1855) was the first public road to pass through the town. The historic road is known as Territorial Road. In 1856, the Territorial Road from Minneapolis to Monticello was opened to travel. The settlers began to use this road instead of fording the Crow River twice and making the circuit via Dayton to Minneapolis.
Territorial Road crosses over a series of ridges, including a section that includes the highest point in Hennepin County. It was authorized by the Territorial Legislature in 1855 and identified as the "first legitimate outlet" for this section of Hennepin County. Through the years, it became a major transportation route for Hassan Township and surrounding communities "because it was maintained and it provided relatively easy access to Minneapolis markets." (Hennepin History Museum; 1995)