Herbert A. Bengston was Mayor of St. Louis Park from 1917 to 1920. He was first elected as a Trustee in 1916. He was first elected Mayor on March 13, 1917, defeating Arthur H.H. Anderson. His first meeting as Mayor was on April 5, 1917.

Bengston was born on June 26, 1889 in Minnesota.  The 1910 census shows that he lived in Minneapolis with his parents.  His occupation is listed as a real estate agent for a lumber business. In 1920 he lived on Minnetonka Blvd. with his wife Edith and daughter Mary Jane (age 2).  In 1930 he was back in Minneapolis, seemingly the proprietor of a box company.  He died on January 1, 1983.

Fire Chief Pete Williams remembered Bengston as being “handsome,” “Best looking Mayor.”

Bengston was very active in the volunteer fire department during his time in office.

Bengston’s office was in the Plymouth Building downtown. He later lived in Enchanted Island, in Mound.

Also see Mayors