A lot of residents have never lived anywhere else,'' says Toye. Those who do try to sell their property sometimes encounter unexpected difficulties with titles. In the past, says Toye, many land boundary agreements were done informally by handshake rather than by a properly executed survey. There are other minor drawbacks to life in Mendota. With such a small town, there is no mail delivery.
People pick up their mail at the local post office.
And when Mendota residents tell outsiders where they live, often it's assumed that they're really referring to the adjacent and larger Mendota Heights. The community of fewer than 200 residents is making the most of partnerships with public and private interests to move its development along. Mendota's place on the map likely will regain its public prominence if development plans proceed. Plans already are drawn and funds are being sought for a joint community center facility that would house municipal meeting and office space, public library and possible recreation space. Over the next five years, I expect a drastic change in Mendota,'' says Toye.