Jan.–Aug. 1945
Smokeless powder is manufactured at Gopher Ordnance Works.

1947-1948
The Gopher Ordnance Works property is deeded over to the University of Minnesota by the U.S. Government.

1948-1949
The Rosemount Agricultural Experiment Station is established, joining five others across the state to engage University researchers in regional agricultural projects.

June 1962
Longtime research projects of the University’s aeronautical engineering department conclude.

March 1963
Groundbreaking commences for the U.S. Navy’s pioneer global positioning satellite system on 18 acres of land rented from the University.

1973-1976
The legislatively requested report “Rosemount Property Long Range Planning Framework” concludes that there would be “no significant development pressure or potential until the 1990-2000 decade.”

December 2000
“UMore Park:  Cultivating a Landscape for Knowledge,” a management plan for the property, is submitted by Urban Strategies Inc. of Toronto, in conjunction with the work of a University task force.

December 2001
The University’s 7,686-acre Rosemount/Empire property is formally named the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) Park

July 2004
A comprehensive resources inventory of UMore Park is completed by the University’s Center for Rural Design.  The inventory describes land use, land resources and facilities, research, environmental stewardship and other attributes.

September 2005
The University’s UMore Park Executive Committee submits its report “Creating a Lasting Legacy for UMore Park:  Advancing the University of Minnesota’s Academic Mission,” and recommends immediate planning actions to realize regional opportunities on the 7,686-acre property and to ultimately provide resources for a legacy endowment that supports the academic mission.

November 2005
Board of Regents presentation and discussion focuses on UMore Park as a key element in realizing the University’s goal of becoming among the top three public research institutions in the world.

December 2005
UMore Park’s 11-mile Lone Rock Trail opens to cross country skiers.

February 2006
The Board of Regents approves Sasaki Associates, Inc., of Boston, as the University’s consultant for strategic planning to explore the potential for the UMore Park property.

March 2006
The Board of Regents, in a special meeting, approves by 11-1 vote a plan that would provide increased state funding for a Gopher football stadium in exchange for a parcel of University-owned land on the UMore Park property.  Future use of the parcel remains consistent with the University’s vision of open space and environmental amenities.

April 2006
The University publishes “A Historical Interpretation and Preservation Plan for UMore Park,” which begins with the story of explorations of the property as early as 1680.

May 2006
The Minnesota state legislature approves legislation for a Gopher football stadium and the intended transfer of a 2,840-acre parcel of UMore Park land to the state following 25 years of joint University-Department of Natural Resources oversight of the land.  Signed into law by Governor Tim Pawlenty, May 24, 2006.

August 2006
More than 2,000 people enjoy the third annual community Open House at UMore Park: horticultural gardens, trails, educational presentations on research, history, nature, and strategic planning.

October 2006
The Sasaki team of strategic planning consultants submits a comprehensive report to the UMore Park strategic planning Steering Committee.

November 2006
Strategic planning vision and recommendations are presented to the Board of Regents by the Steering Committee.