US Marine Corps History & Burnsville Recruiting | Tun Tavern to Today

⚓ 1775: The Birth at Tun Tavern

In 1775, a group of regular citizens gathered in a smoky, crowded Philadelphia tavern to plan a revolution. Today, on a quiet afternoon in Burnsville, a local high school student walks past a modern theater plaza to sign a piece of paper. Though separated by 250 years and a thousand miles, their steps are exactly the same

Early Operations & Re-establishment

Led by Captain Samuel Nicholas, these early Marines were sharpshooters who operated from the rigging of ships, led boarding parties, and conducted the military's first amphibious landing at New Providence in the Bahamas. Though disbanded briefly after the Revolutionary War, the threat of global conflict forced Congress to permanently re-establish the United States Marine Corps on July 11, 1798.

🌎 19th & 20th Centuries: "To the Shores of Tripoli" to Global Warfare

Early Expeditionary Campaigns

Over the next two centuries, the Marines forged an unbreakable reputation for tenacity. They marched across the deserts of North Africa during the Barbary Wars ("to the shores of Tripoli") and stormed the halls of Montezuma during the Mexican-American War.

The World Wars and Modern Evolution

By World War I, their fierce fighting at Belleau Wood earned them a legendary reputation, and by World War II, their bloody, island-hopping campaigns across the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima—solidified their status as America's premier vanguard force. Throughout the Korean War, Vietnam, and the late-20th-century interventions, the Marine Corps evolved from a small shipboard guard into a highly technical, combined-arms force ready to deploy anywhere in the world.

🏛️ The 21st Century: Burnsville's Modern Renewal

The "Heart of the City" Initiative

As the Marine Corps adapted to urban warfare and counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the early 2000s, the City of Burnsville was undergoing its own major physical transformation. The city broke ground on a massive redevelopment project known as the "Heart of the City."

The 12600 Block Landmark Anchor

At the absolute epicenter of this design—occupying the landmark address of 12600 Nicollet Avenue South—is the Ames (formerly the Burnsville Performing Arts Center). Opened in January 2009, this sweeping architectural facility features a 1,014-seat main theatre, art galleries, and a public plaza, serving as the cultural anchor for the entire community.

🪖 Present Day: Where Legacy Meets the "Heart of the City"

The Local Recruiting Hub

Today, the 12600 block of Nicollet Avenue South is not just a cultural destination; it is a direct operational intersection for the U.S. Military. Directly across the street from the Ames Center, located at 12633 Nicollet Avenue, sits the active US Marine Corps Recruiting Station Burnsville.

The Modern Enlistment Pipeline

Because of this specific geographic layout, the 12600 block serves as a literal launching pad for the next generation of service members. On any given week, young "poolees" (individuals in the Delayed Entry Program) walk past the Ames Center plaza to report to the recruiting station. They complete their interviews, physical screenings, and initial administrative processing right here before being sent up to Fort Snelling for enlistment and eventually on to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for boot camp.

From a smoky tavern in 1775 to the modern glass facade of the Ames Center plaza today, the 250-year-old lineage of the Marine Corps continues to march right through the heart of Burnsville.

From Legacy to Action: Connect with the Burnsville Station

Whether you are a local history enthusiast, a community member wanting to support our future service members, or a young person ready to explore the ultimate career path of elite leadership and global service, the next step of the journey starts right on Nicollet Avenue.

Get in touch with the local recruitment team today to learn more about upcoming community events, the Delayed Entry Program, or career pathways in the U.S. Marine Corps:

• 📍 Visit in Person: 12633 Nicollet Avenue South, Burnsville Minnesota 
• 📞 Call the Office: 1 (952) 894-8760
• Looking for an affordable way to support our troops and treat yourself? You can use MVTA Connect as a convenient, on-demand transit option for trips directly to and from the U.S Marine Offices @ 12633 Nicollet Avenue South in Burnsville.
  MVTA Connect, door to door service

  You can easily reach this location using MVTA Connect, an affordable on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service within Burnsville.

  • Curb-to-Curb II Service: Accessible vans or small buses drop you off directly at your destination.
  • The Flat Cost: A budget-friendly $3.00 per person each way.
  • Payment Methods: Payable via cash, Go-To Card.
  • Service Hours: Operates daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (plan ahead for late-night game conclusions).

  How to Book Your Ride

  • Order via Smartphone: Use the RideMVTA App (iOS and Android). Input your pickup location, track your driver's real-time ETA, and purchase tickets directly in the app.
  • Order via Phone Call: Call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500 to place a live ride request with a representative.