In 1949, John Bolton & Martin Menk, Jr. founded the firm as a surveying business in St. Peter, Minnesota, with little more than expertise, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to clients. Housing developments boomed after World War II and the firm was kept busy surveying parcels and planning subdivisions. Bolton & Menk, Inc. expanded in the early 1960\'s with the acquisition of a small firm in southern Minnesota. In 1966, the main office moved from St. Peter to Mankato, making it more centrally located in the region. This fulfilled part of Martin Menk\'s plan to improve service to the growing municipal client base.