Ham Lake is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 15,296 at the 2010 census.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.71sqmi, of which, 34.39sqmi is land and 1.32sqmi is water.Ham Lake is located in the central part of Anoka County.Adjacent cities Bethel (north) East Bethel (north) Columbus (east) Lino Lakes (southeast) Blaine (south) Coon Rapids (southwest) Andover (west) Oak Grove (northwest) The community of Soderville is located within the northern part of the city of Ham Lake.TransportationMinnesota State Highway 65 serves as a main route in the city.HistoryThe earliest record of settlers in the Ham Lake area goes back to 1855, and in 1856, the settlers established a town located just south and west of a lake shaped like a ham. Some have suggested the name hails from short but bloody battle fought over a particularly delicious type of canned ham produced in the area. The settlers platted and sold lots for a community they named Glen Carey, a Scottish name meaning "beautiful valley". The location was widely advertised as a future city. However, in 1857, all of the houses were destroyed by a prairie fire. Some of the inhabitants barely escaped with their lives saving only a very few household goods. The settlers soon left the area as they had nowhere to live.
