Henry Turney McKnight, Sr.

Henry Turney McKnight (April 2, 1913 – December 30, 1972) was an American businessman, conservationist, and politician who served in the Minnesota Senate from 1963 to 1971. A resident of Wayzata, Minnesota, he is best known as the founder of Jonathan, Minnesota, a pioneering planned community in Chaska, Minnesota.

Early life and education McKnight was born into a prominent Minneapolis family known for its civic and commercial contributions to the Upper Midwest. He attended the Blake School and graduated from Yale University in 1936. Following his education, he managed family agricultural and real estate development interests before entering military service.

Military service During World War II, McKnight served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater. He rose to the rank of lieutenant commander and served as the commanding officer of a Landing Craft Support (Large) Mark 3, designation LCS(L)(3), which was then casually (and is now quaintly) referred to as a "rocket ship", due to its complement of 10 rocket launchers (mounted bazookas), in addition to its 3-inch/50 cal and various smaller guns. The LCS(L)(3) provided close-in naval gunfire support during amphibious operations. His work also provided the statutory framework for the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA), which became law in 1971. Under the HUD New Communities Program, Jonathan became the first large-scale project in the U.S. to receive federal loan guarantees under the Urban Growth and New Community Development Act of 1970.

Death and legacy McKnight died of a brain tumor on December 30, 1972, at the age of 59. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery. The community of Jonathan and the modernist landmark of Riverside Plaza remain as enduring models of his philosophy regarding planned urbanization.