Editing Bloomington, Minnesota (section)

===1940s to 1950s===
From 1940 to 1960, the city's population increased to nine times that of the population at the turn of the century. During the 1940s, the city's development vision was [[low-cost]], [[Single-family home|low-density]] housing, each with its own [[Water well|well]] and [[septic system]]. The rapid population growth was due in part to the post-World War II boom and subsequent birth of the [[baby boomer]] generation. In 1947, the first [[fire station]] was constructed and equipped at a cost of $24,000 and the Bloomington [[Volunteer Fire Department]] was established with 25 members.

[[File:Toro Headquarters.jpg|thumb|[[The Toro Company|Toro]] moved to Bloomington in 1952]]
The 1950s saw a considerable expansion of the city and its infrastructure, with the city shifting away from its small-town atmosphere and feel. In 1950, because of the increasing population, the first elementary school, Cedarcrest, was built. It was evident that one consolidated school could no longer serve the growing population, and ten new schools were built in this decade to meet the need. In 1952, the first large business, [[Toro Manufacturing Company]], moved to Bloomington. The significance of this can be seen in Bloomington today, which is home to hundreds of businesses of all types.

In 1953, Bloomington changed from a [[civil township|township]] to a village form of government. This more professional approach to government was accompanied by open council meetings, land use plans, and published budgets. The effects of this new form of government began immediately, first with the formation of the city police department (at a cost of $2 per taxpayer) and then with the first parkland acquisition. Both [[Bush Lake (Hennepin County, Minnesota)|Bush Lake]] Beach and Moir Park were established at a cost of one dollar to each residence. Today, about 1/3 of the city's land area is devoted to city and regional parks, playgrounds, and open space.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/park-system-master-plan-2020 | title=Park System Master Plan 2020 | publisher=City of Bloomington | year=2020 | access-date=June 4, 2020 | archive-date=June 4, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604203319/https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/park-system-master-plan-2020 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1956, the first city land-use plan was initiated with the construction of [[Interstate 35W (Minnesota)|Interstate 35W]] and [[Metropolitan Stadium]].

In 1957, [[Bloomington Lincoln High School|Bloomington High School]] opened at West 88th Street and Sheridan Avenue South.

In 1958, the city changed from a village government to a [[council-manager government|council-manager form]]. One of the first policies the council adopted was encouragement of commercial and industrial development, low-cost housing, and shopping centers. Due to the rapid population increase during this time, police and fire departments changed to a 24-hour dispatching system, and the fire department (now with 46 members) converted a garage into the second fire station.