Shakopee Snapshots

150 Years Ago: From the Nov. 4, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Fresh leeches at the New Drug Store.

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 1, 1900 Scott County Argus

Our people will be called upon next Tuesday to vote upon the question of issuing additional bonds in the sum of $3,000 for the erection and maintenance of an electric light plant. The bonds are to be issued in $500 each, interest payable semi-annually at 4 ½ per cent.

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 2, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

M. O. Davis of Minneapolis and L. A. Guilbert of Henderson were in Shakopee last Tuesday making arrangements to open a restaurant in the building west of Mich. Berens’ block. Mr. Guilbert owns and runs a restaurant at Henderson, and thinks the same kind of a venture in this city would be a paying one, hence he has arranged with Mr. Davis to open the restaurant the fore part of next week. The owner is thoroughly conversant with the ins and outs of the business, and the manager seems to be a hustler of the variety that captures success whether or no, and these facts augur well for the success of the Guilbert Restaurant in Shakopee. Confectionery, fruits and tobaccos will be a part of the firm’s source of revenue.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 6, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Dr. T. M. Larsen repainted the opera house drop curtain for L. E. Dawson last week, the work requiring a week’s time. The scene was left unchanged except in a few minor details but the bright new coloring has made a striking improvement in the curtain. The doctor is a skilled artist in the use of oil paints in which the painting was done and a number of pictures painted by him adorn the walls of public places and homes hereabouts.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 5, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The sweet sounds and harmony of the new organ in St. Mark’s church travels quite far. This time it reached the ear of Rev. Mother Mary Rose, superior general of the sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas. She visited Shakopee last Thursday to view and try the new organ. The trial convinced her, that she wants just such an organ for her own convent at Concordia, Kansas. She praised the great possibilities of the organ and admitted that the combination of stops produces the best balanced harmony she ever heard from an organ.

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 2, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Jail Plans Depend on Bond Vote

The question of a new Scott county jail and sheriff’s residence to replace the present structure which has been repeatedly condemned by state jail inspectors will be answered Tuesday Nov. 7, when voters of the county cast their ballots on two bond issue proposals.

County commissioners, faced with the problem of either building a new structure or making provision to house prisoners in an adequate jail in some other community, chose to submit the matter to the electorate…

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 2, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Fat On The Fire

A well-cooked roast proved to be the fire when the Shakopee Firemen were called to Gelhaye’s Cafe Sunday afternoon. The firemen removed the smoldering roast from the oven and that was about the extent of the damage.

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 5, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

A new boat landing, constructed by the Shakopee Rotary Club is complete and ready for use. The Rotarians cooperated with city officials in construction of the facility located just east of the police and recreation offices.

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 2, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Options for jail all carry problems

Last week, the Scott County Jail Study Committee, without taking a vote, seemed to reach consensus on recommending the county build a facility that will be larger than immediately needed. The unused space could either remain unused, therefore not increasing staffing levels, or offered to other agencies as fee-for-service bed space.

Among the sites considered for the jail are the County Jail Annex in Sand Creek Township, the block on which the existing jail sits, and the parking lot west of the county Justice Center. The latter two sites are in Shakopee…

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150 Years Ago: From the Oct. 28, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Some busy body has had printed and is circulating a bushel or two of election tickets with my name on as Sheriff. I wish to state that I am not a candidate, and that such tickets are circulated contrary to my wishes.

Nic. Schmitt.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 25, 1900 Scott County Argus

Last Monday morning at about ten o’clock a vigorous alarm gave the fire department some lively work before they were headed off with the intelligence that the fire was nothing more than a pile of burning rubbish in the rear of the Argus block.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 26, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Miss K. Yost will remove her millinery store from the Reis block to the store in the Lander opera house recently vacated by Mrs. S. L. Hill. She expects to be installed there by the first of the month, and in the very spacious new quarters will be enabled to make a much better display of her large stock of the goods which delight the feminine heart.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 30, 1925 Shakopee Argus

The large porch of the Casper Lenzmeier home is being enclosed with glass, Fred Rohlfs having the work in charge.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 29, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

While cranking his car at his home last Wednesday evening, Frank White had the misfortune to break his arm at the wrist. It is a painful injury and will force Mr. White to take a vacation for several months.

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 26, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Truck Fire in Schesso Garage

Schesso Brothers garage was threatened by fire late Tuesday night when a blaze broke out in a Northwestern Bell utility truck there.

The fire, discovered at 10:30 by Pat Thielen, police chief, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit in the truck’s electric system. Firemen were promptly called.

The interior of the cab was gutted and the blaze was confined to the vehicle. Other cars in the building escaped damage.

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 26, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Owner Arrives From St. Louis To Sign New Plat Allowing Utility Contracts To Be Let

By virtue of Henry Pieper arriving in the proverbial nick of time, the newest platted addition to the City of Shakopee was approved by the city council as they accepted the plat to Doyle and Pieper’s addition at an adjourned meeting Thursday night.

The council had advertised and opened bids for new sewer and water connection in the area a week previous, but could not let the contracts until the plat was accepted.

50 Years Ago: From the Oct. 29, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Mrs. Jaycees donate $3,000 for equipment

Mrs. Jaycees donated $3000 toward playground equipment at Tahpah Park at their regular October meeting, it has been announced.

Money for the equipment was given the Mrs. Jaycees by their Jaycee husbands for work done at the Renaissance Festival…

25 Years Ago: From the Oct. 26, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Enrollment up 24% since ’96

1,000 more expected by 2005

Enrollment in Shakopee schools has increased 24 percent since 1996, and that trend may continue with the likelihood of an additional 1,000 students entering classrooms by 2005.

Superintendent Jon McBroom presented School Board members with an enrollment history and 10-year projections on Monday.

In the last four years, he reported, the student population has grown from 3,194 to 3,973. The 9.8-percent increase between last year and this year alone is three times the growth seen in each of the last three years.

The computer program used to generate the enrollment figures takes into account trends over the past several years, McBroom explained. He said the model has estimated that enrollment will top 4,100 next year, with the district reaching the 5,000 mark around 2005-06…

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150 Years Ago: From the Oct. 21, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The school house in East Shakopee is undergoing repairs. A new floor has been put down, the two small rooms made into one for a recitation room, and a cloak room built on in front of the main building. New patent desks are being put in the main school room. The appearance and comfort are greatly improved.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 18, 1900 Scott County Argus

Miss Yost finds that her present quarters in the Ries block are too limited for the proper display of her millinery goods, and will within a week or two remove to the store in the Lander block recently vacated by S. L. Hill.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 19, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

J. C. Marx installed a handsome new safe in his jewelry store last Wednesday. It is a big bit of furniture, standing five feet high, with a width and depth of four and three feet. Its weight is 3000 pounds.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 23, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Dr. F. H. Buck is remodeling his home and will add a breakfast nook, install a hot water plant to replace hot air heat and make other improvements. Among these will be a glass enclosure for the south porch, transforming it into a heated sunporch for the winter months.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 22, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Bowdish’s Install New Electric Sandwich Machine

During the past week the Bowdish Confectionery installed a new Butter Kistwich sandwich-toasting machine. This machine is electrically equipped to toast sandwiches of all varieties. It takes only a minute and a half to prepare a ready-to-serve toasted sandwich on this machine…

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 19, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

County Must Build or Close Old Jail

Faced by the choice of either closing the present county jail or building a new and adequate structure to replace it, the board of Scott county commissioners has chosen the latter course and on Nov. 7 residents of the county will be afforded the opportunity to vote in a bond issue to determine what action is to be taken by the commissioners…

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 19, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Homecoming Fire Touched Off Early

Shakopee’s annual homecoming celebration got off to a premature start when unknown persons touched off the Homecoming bonfire at 2:15 Wednesday morning. Only a few hardy individuals that got to the fire saw the configuration instead of the hundreds expected when the fire was to have been lit tonight. However, the entire student body at the school moved yesterday to help the freshman class assemble another pile of burnable material, and the bonfire will be held tonight as scheduled.

50 Years Ago: From the Oct. 22, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Gifted education program sought by school district

At their last meeting, the School Board of District 720 took another step toward developing a program for gifted education in Shakopee.

The proposal, presented by David Anderson, Senior High English teacher and Robert Kieber, Senior High Social Studies teacher, calls for a three year program in English and social studies for the senior high and supportive programs throughout the district.

If plans go well the program would begin in the fall of 1976…

25 Years Ago: From the Oct. 19, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Replica of Lincoln’s coffin to be on display

A replica of Abraham Lincoln’s coffin will be on display at the Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home in Shakopee on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A historic presentation by the Scott County Historical Society is planned from 7 to 8 p.m., as they will discuss the Lincoln funeral as well as funeral customs and rituals of that time period…

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150 Years Ago: From the Oct. 14, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Mrs. J. Ley will sell her stock of Millinery at cost for eight days only, as she intends to move away from Shakopee.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 11, 1900 Scott County Argus

A large new ware house is being erected upon the west side of the mill.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 12, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

A new plate glass front is going in the clothing and shoe department of Kohls & Berens’ store. The plate is 96×88 inches and this will allow of an entrance at once side. Bert. Schneider and Wm. Schmidt are doing the work.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 16, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Fred Stelten sold his pool hall Monday to Henry Green who took immediate possession and will continue to conduct it.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 15, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Local Postoffice Installs 161 New Pattern Lock Boxes

During the fore part of this week, Postmaster P. J. Schwartz completed the installation of 161 late pattern combination lock boxes in the local postoffice. These new lock boxes were installed in the space formerly occupied by 160 of the old call boxes and the window used to serve the patrons of these call boxes.

The installation of these newest type of lock boxes and the other general improvements that have been made in the local postoffice during the past few months, make the postoffice in this city one of the finest in this state, excluding, of course the postoffices in the twin cities.

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 12, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Public School List Largest in History

Delayed for several weeks because of construction difficulties Shakopee’s public school opened Monday with the largest enrollment in the school’s history. Although additional registrations were still expected in the high school and grades the total enrollment for the opening day was 534 as compared to 504 for the first day of the 1949 term…

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 12, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Pour Footings At Rahr Plant

Work on the large addition to the grain elevators at the Rahr Malt Co. is well underway as large crews of the McKenzie-Hague-Simmons Co., general contractors, are now on the job.

This week, work was pushed on pouring the two-foot thick concrete footings which extend under the entire structure. The elevator addition is the same width as the present grain storage facilities and will extend 100 feet eastward from the present elevator. Height of the structure will be 130 feet…

50 Years Ago: From the Oct. 15, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Minnesota Valley Mall schedules spring opening

Watson Centers, Inc. announced this week a March, 1976 opening schedule for the Minesota Valley Mall Shopping Center.

The enclosed mall community shopping center’s exterior shell is visible from U.S. Highway 169 on the southwest edge of Shakopee.

In announcing the opening schedule, Lynn Donohue, a spokesman for the Watson firm, noted several recent developments that made a spring “76” opening possible…

Existing tenants in the center include a 20,000 square foot Juba Super Valu (three times the size of the present facility), a 19,000 square foot Pro Mart Home Improvement Center and a 12,000 square foot Dueber’s Junior Department Store.

Watson has announced the signing of an 8,000 square foot Snyders Drug store.

25 Years Ago: From the Oct. 12, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

There’s no place like home

Current site selected for two-story city library

The committee charged with finding a site for a public library in Shakopee has decided that the current site works just fine.

Last week, the City Council unanimously accepted the commission’s recommendation that a two-story library be built on the existing site, and that remaining buildings on the so-called library block be purchased as they become available for future expansion, parking and green space. The council also accepted the committee’s recommendation that a temporary site be leased for one year while the library is under construction…

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150 Years Ago: From the Oct. 7, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The citizens of Shakopee are requested to meet at the City Hall on Friday evening, the 8th inst., at 7 ½ o’clock, to make arrangements to successfully carry out the project of repairing the Ferry Road. Let all turn out, for a good road there is greatly needed.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 4, 1900 Scott County Argus

Since last Sunday there can be no doubt in the minds of the hotel men that the new bicycle path is a benefit to them. Over 150 wheelmen were in town at the opening of the new path, and of this number 53 registered at the Occidental, 50 at the Central, 29 at the United States, and 54 at the Oriental hotels.

125 Years Ago: From the Oct. 5, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The Northwestern telephone company has installed a new switchboard in their Shakopee station in the Strunk drug store, with fifteen shutters. The new line to Minneapolis has been added, and a new one south, which enables the Strunk’s to call up Jordan, New Prague, and other towns along that line without first calling up Minneapolis.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 9, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Plastering will begin next week on W. L. Anderson’s new bungalow which is being rushed to completion before winter arrives to stay.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 8, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Very Large Apples Grown in Shakopee and Vicinity

Thos. McDevitt, who resides two and one-half miles south of Shakopee, stopped at this office Monday morning with some very fine apples which were part of this year’s crop grown on his farm. They were unusually large specimens of the Wolf River variety. Mr. McDevitt left three of the apples with us which we have placed on display in our office window. The largest of the apples left at our office measures 14 ¾ inches in: circumference and 3 ¾ inches deep at the core…

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 5, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Pigeon Raiser Writes Story

An article by W. B. Schroeder, Shakopee pigeon raiser, got the lead spot in the October issue of the American Pigeon Journal. One of his photographs illustrating the story also was used as the cover piece.

Schroeder’s story concerned the work of L. M. Smith, St. Louis Park, who has been raising English Pouters since 1900. The Pouter, Schroeder said, is one of some 300 pigeon varieties which hold the interests of pigeon fanciers.

75 Years Ago: From the Oct. 5, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Voters To Act On Bond Issue

Scott county voters will be asked to approve two bond issues totaling $130,000 at the general election Tuesday, November 7. The money, if approved, would be used for a new jail, sheriff’s residence, and an addition to the courthouse for office space…

25 Years Ago: From the Oct. 5, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Walgreen’s, new DQ heading to Co. Rd. 17

Shakopee is gaining more than new residents these days. New businesses continue to eye the city.

On the northwest corner of Marschall Road and Vierling Drive, construction workers are building quarters for a Dairy Queen and Walgreen’s store. The DQ will be located north of Video Update on the west side of Marschall Road. Kitty-corner from that work, workers from S. M. Hentges are working on the widening of Vierling Drive and County Road 17. They are adding turn lanes to accommodate traffic flow onto and off the roadways. The new turn lanes are expected to be ready this fall.

In the Shakopee Valley Marketplace, the development anchored by Target at the intersection of Marschall Road and 17th Avenue, a Kindercare child-care facility is being proposed for the open site near the intersection of 17th Avenue and Sarazin Street…

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150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 30, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Mill Running.—S. W. Pond’s Mill is now running. Custom work in Flour and Feed done promptly.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 27, 1900 Scott County Argus

E. J. Gellenbeck will next week begin the work of installing a hot water heating plant in the new store building of Flaherty & Lies.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 28, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The Century Road club of the twin cities will come to Shakopee next Sunday, by way of the new Minneapolis-Shakopee cycle path. The run scheduled for last Sunday was postponed on account of the continued rains, but the several delays which have thus far blocked the club’s plans for a grand opening run will only serve to give the project added enthusiasm, and large numbers of wheelmen may be expected Sunday, weather permitting.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 2, 1925 Shakopee Argus

W. N. Southworth has bought the Episcopal church property which has long been unused and will probably raze the building in the future. For the time being the church has been boarded up and the yard cleaned, making a notable improvement in the appearance of the corner where it stands.

100 Years Ago: From the Oct. 1, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

New Churn Installed by Redman Ice Cream Co.

A new 1,000 pound Disbrow churn was purchased recently by the Redman Ice Cream Company and installation of same was completed last Thursday. It is now the plan of the managers of the company to increase the output of their butter materially. Only sweet cream will be used in its manufacture, and the company will churn every other day, thus insuring a sanitary and wholesome product.

The local company recently leased the Marystown creamery for a period of three years. Butter will not be manufactured in the Marystown plant. The building will be used only for the purpose of taking in cream three days each week.

Frank Hackman, who was the butter maker at Marystown, was placed in charge of the manufacture of butter here. He brought his household effects to this city last week and is now domiciled in the rooms on the second floor of the Ruppert Stemmer home.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 28, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Wins Award

Leo Robeck, local Red Owl store owner, was a winner of the Life award offered by the store system in a recent sales promotion. Recognition was based on merchandise display, store appearance and sales volume. The prize was a year’s subscription to Life magazine.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 28, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Hospital Drive Passes Goal, Heads For $200,000 Tonight

“Shoot for $200,000” became the keynote slogan for more than 250 volunteer workers as the campaign goal to raise $150,000 for a new 50 bed hospital here was shattered when pledges turned in Monday reached a total of $117,151 without the Rahr Foundation gift of $50,000.

The Victory report meeting will be held at St. Mark’s Hall tonight. At that time the Rahr gift will be officially added, plus the final pledges received this week. All workers are making an extra effort to secure the additional $33,600 needed to push the drive over the $200,000 mark…

50 Years Ago: From the Oct. 1, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Dean Lake termed a depression in water table, level will vary

A report detailing the problems facing Dean Lake was submitted to the Shakopee city council Tuesday evening, over a year after the report was authorized.

Larry Samstead, of Itasca Engineering, presented bound copies of the report to the council and highlighted what was found after nearly 15 months of study…

According to Samstead, the watertable in the area flows from south to north. Dean Lake is bounded in its edges by extremely sandy, pourous soil which do not hold the water back in its place…

It had been speculated earlier that the level of Dean Lake was directly affected by water pumping operations at the J.L. Shiely quarry adjacent to the property. “The quarry does not appear to be a direct major contributor to the problem,” Samstead noted…

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 28, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Council OKs Co. Rd. 16 study after heated debate

A request last week for a feasibility report on the proposed realignment of County Road 16 escalated into a clash between the developer and Shakopee city councilors, with a healthy amount of Scott County bashing thrown in for good measure.

Despite a potential minefield of opposition yet to come, the City Council voted 3 to 2 on Sept. 19 to have the study performed…

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150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 23, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Mr. T. A. Holmes returned home from Alabama last week. He purchased a farm in the Northern part of that State and intends to move there. He is delighted with the climate and country, and reports farming lands cheap.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 20, 1900 Scott County Argus

Adam Teich’s new milk wagon will commence delivery October 1st.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 21, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Nic Dondelinger’s saloon now presents a fine interior appearance. He had one of the neatest new bars and other furniture installed last week. Nic says it makes the Golden Grain Belt beers taste better and look fresher.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 25, 1925 Shakopee Argus

William Spoerner is wrecking the former Durose home, recently damaged by fire, and states that he will sell the lumber and the lot where it stands at a very reasonable price to any one who wishes to build a good home. There are windows and doors from the house, city water connections to the lot and cement sidewalks. Anyone wishing to build will find this an opportunity that will bear investigation.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 24, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Sibley Memorial Highway Survey Now Being Made

Ramsey county highway engineers were in Shakopee yesterday. These men are making a survey for the purpose of determining the most feasible route for the Sibley Memorial highway from Mendota to Shakopee. The survey that they are making at this time runs east from Fourth and Lewis streets along the present route of the old state highway No. 5, thru the east city limits of Shakopee as far as the four-mile crossing.

One of these gentlemen committed himself to the extent of saying that another proposed route would bring this highway from the east end of Shakopee on Third street running west through this city on Third street.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 21, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Public School Opens Oct. 2

Shakopee’s public school will definitely open Monday, Oct. 2, Al N. Wurst, superintendent, announced Wednesday…

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 21, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Hospital Drive Reaches Halfway Point Monday

Aided by diligent work of the township workers, plus several teams that went over their quotas, the campaign to raise $168,000 for a new hospital in Shakopee passed the halfway mark this week.

At a rousing meeting Monday night, the nearly 225 workers reported pledges to date in excess of $77,000. Another report meeting is set for tonight and the victory report meeting next Thursday…

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 24, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Foslid will not run for mayor in November

Shakopee mayor Ray Foslid announced Tuesday night that he will not seek re-election for the post he holds in November…

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 21, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

City awarded U.S. grant for school cops

Shakopee officials want schools to agree to share funding costs

The city of Shakopee has been awarded a $250,000 federal grant that would be used to hire two police officers for school buildings, it was announced by U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone on Friday.

While both city and Shakopee School District officials have indicated a willingness to place officers in the junior and senior high buildings, some city officials first want the school district to share in the costs of the officers, during and after the federal grant money is in place…

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150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 16, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Shakopee Flouring Mill has been undergoing extensive improvements and enlargement. The mill is now ready to receive wheat in its elevator and will start running in a few days.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 13, 1900 Scott County Argus

Wm. Hameyer has been busy the past week brick veneering Andrew Kopp’s new residence in the vicinity of Faribault Springs. The cottage is much more convenient and comfortable than the old one which sheltered Mr. and Mrs. Kopp for so many years in the cosy nook on Second street.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 14, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Our enterprising merchant E. J. Gellenbeck was one from this city who occupied space in Exhibition hall at the state fair, showing many thousands the advantages in owning an economy non-burnable fry pan and self-basting roaster and steam cooker, one of his own manufactured articles.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 18, 1925 Shakopee Argus

County Auditor Thomas Walsh reports 359 hunting licenses issued for the opening of the season, Sept. 16. Local nimrods met with indifferent luck in their quest for ducks, some returning without having seen any and none securing big bags.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 17, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The dance which was given in Riverside pavilion last Friday evening, September 11, under the auspices of the Shakopee fire department, was a very enjoyable affair. All firemen who attended the dance in full uniform, whether members of the local department or of neighboring city departments, were admitted free to the dance. The Riverside Serenaders furnished excellent music for the occasion.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 14, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City Acts to Annex 205 Acres

Enlargement of the corporate limits of Shakopee was authorized Tuesday night when the city council adopted an ordinance officially annexing 205.30 acres of land adjoining the eastern boundary of the city.

The tract, formerly the site of a National Youth Administration camp operated jointly by the federal and state governments to provide vocational training and occupation for underprivileged youth during the depression era, preceding World War II, was purchased by the city from the state Nov. 1, 1947, for $7,500.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 14, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Prellwitz Opens Insurance Agency

The Arlen Agency announces in a display ad this week that Douglas Prellwitz will be district supervisor in charge of a branch office in this community. He will specialize in hospitalization, accident, health and life insurance at the Continental Assurance Co. Prellwitz was formerly associated with the Kopp Agency here.

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 17, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Omission of 169 by-pass was oversight Metro Council claims

Metropolitan Council staff members and Shakopee city officials met Friday morning at city hall in a sometimes stormy informational meeting. Among topics discussed were the 169 by-pass, the County Road 18 bridge crossing and Shakopee’s lack of comprehensive planning.

Ghaleb Abdul Rahman, a Metropolitan Council staff member who has worked closely with the city for over a year, said that the 169 by-pass will be included in the final Transportation Development Guide and that its omission was an oversight.

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 14, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Voters could decide on new school soon

A recent head count of Shakopee students shows that enrollment has topped the 4,000 mark, up from an August estimate of 3,950.

Superintendent Jon McBroom told School Board members Monday “the numbers that we were expecting are here,” and “questions on facilities space are definitely confronting us.”

Discussion on a bond referendum for a new grade school resurfaced at Monday’s board meeting, as McBroom reviewed enrollment figures from the first week of school. A decision on construction of a new facility “is inevitable now,” he said. Taxpayers may be asked to cast their votes on a bond issue within six months.

Though enrollment figures won’t be final until Oct. 1, when they are submitted to the state Department of Children, Families and Learning, it is apparent that a fourth elementary school is on the horizon, McBroom said…

Last week’s tally showed 2,281 students in kindergarten through grade six – an increase of nearly 200 students from last October. Pearson and Sweeney house more than 750 students and 720 students respectively, exceeding design capacities of 700…

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150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 9, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Minnesota River is still within its banks but almost brim full. It is not likely to raise any higher at present.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 6, 1900 Scott County Argus

The Condon building has been secured by the fair association for use as floral hall during the coming street fair, and ladies may bring their fancy work and choicest flowers for exhibition there with the assurance that the articles will be taken care of in the best possible manner by competent management. The exhibits will be so arranged that nothing will be spoiled.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 7, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

John A. Dean has a novel power wheel on exhibition at his shop, which can be utilized for many purposes, such as pumping water, churning. etc. A light water spaniel will furnish sufficient power for ordinary purposes and is strong enough to keep up perfect motion while raising 250 pounds attached to the lever on its upward motion. The wheel will soon find its way to the farmers’ home to furnish the power instead of wind mills.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 11, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Durose House Burns

At five o’clock last Sunday morning the fire department was called to the William Spoerner building, better known as the Durose building on East Second street, which was discovered to be on fire by A. C. Geiger, who turned in the alarm.

The fire had apparently been burning for a long time before it was seen and had gained such headway that the structure was damaged beyond repair by flames and water. The frame building still stands but the interior is a mass of debris, water ruining all that escaped fire. Had it not been for Saturday night’s soaking rain, the house would probably have burned to the ground…

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 10, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The public library will be closed and no further books given out for a few weeks, or until all of the books that are now out, have been returned. The librarian will be present at the rest room this afternoon to accept books. After today books may be left at the R. C. Kline store.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 7, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Rahr Firm Building New Storage Unit

Excavation work in preparation for the construction of a group of massive grain storage tanks got under way at the Rahr Malting company plant here Wednesday morning…

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 7, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Phone Building To Be Enlarged

Announcement of the awarding of a construction contract for an addition to the present telephone building in Shakopee was made today by E. G. Leibold, manager of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company…

The piece of land adjoining the rear of the present central office location has been acquired and a new one-story “L”-shaped brick and joist addition similar to the present building will be started immediately. It is expected that construction will be completed by spring…

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 10, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee to attempt building of outfall, boat ramp on river

Shakopee has applied for a Department of the Army permit to improve an existing outfall structure and construct a boat launching ramp on the Minnesota River at the riverward extension of Sommerville, according to William L. Goetz, chief of the construction-operations division…

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150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 2, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The deluge of rain that fell in an hour’s time on Monday evening did some damage to our streets. Some culverts were washed out; new grading on some of the north and south streets was washed away, and the paving in the gutters washed out. A more permanent manner of building culverts and paving open gutters will in the end be more economical than the cheap ones heretofore built.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 30, 1900 Scott County Argus

Prof. A. L. McBee requests us to state to the pupils of the high school and those of eighth grade who expect to enter the high school this Fall, that he will meet with them at the high school building next Monday to arrange for classification for the ensuing year’s work and to distribute the state certificates awarded on the June examinations.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 31, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Leonard Mayer has now formally opened his hotel for business and has already quite a number of boarders. The new building itself presents a homelike appearance and no doubt ere long Hotel Mayer will have acquired quite a fame.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 4, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Challenge Issued

B. A. Mertz, manager of ye “Old Timers” has challenged the Ben’s Boys for another clash and has posted his check in the amount of $100 with the Peoples National Bank, the Ben’s Boys to put up a like sum and the game to be played at Athletic Park, Sunday, Sept. 13.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 3, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee School to Open Tuesday, Sept. 8

The school bell will summon the youth of Shakopee and community to their desks next Tuesday, September eighth. Detailed arrangements have been completed in both the Shakopee high school and St. Mark’s parochial school and large enrollments are anticipated.

“Thoroughly cleaned buildings will greet the teachers and pupils when the new term starts at the Shakopee high school,” stated Henry Mergens, clerk of school district No. 1. The exterior woodwork of the building was given a coat of paint during the summer vacation, and a modern up-to-date electric lighting system was installed with new electric chandeliers throughout the rooms…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 31, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

$50,000 Gift Assured if Locality Gives $100,000

Leaders in the campaign to raise $150,000 as the community’s share of the cost of building and equipping a new hospital here were encouraged this week by the announcement that the Rahr Foundation would contribute $50,000 to the fund if the community was successful in raising $100,000 from other contributors…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 31, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Lindbergh Plane Builder In Town

T. Claude Ryan, president of the Ryan Aeronautical Co., Lindbergh Field, San Diego, Cal., stopped in Shakopee last week enroute to his home from a visit to the East. He stopped at the First National Bank to transact some personal business with F. A. Weiland, assistant cashier. Weiland reported a very friendly visit with the man who, a quarter of a century ago, gained worldwide fame as the man “who built the Spirit of St. Louis”, the plane used by Col. Charles A. Lindbergh on his epoch flight from New York to Paris in 1927.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 31, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

‘Your jail is terrible,’ say consultants

New facility recommended

Local officials seemed more impressed with the directness of the message than the actual words from the two men from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) who had reviewed Scott County’s Jail and its operations. The recommendation was not a shock…

“Your jail is terrible,” said Arnette Gaston, one of the inspectors and a former warden of Rikers Island, a New York City penitentiary. “It’s overcrowded. It’s understaffed. It’s a miracle you’ve kept it alive as long as you have…”

Scott County played host to the inspectors from the NCI’s Planning and Opening of New Institutions (PONI) program last week on Monday and Tuesday. They looked at all facets of the aging jail, from its plumbing, heating, cooling and air-circulation units, to the systems the jailers use for processing and handling incoming prisoners as well as those serving sentences…

Gaston and Bob Gibson are contracted consultants for NCI and its PONI Program. Their exhaustive visit was part of the work of the county’s Jail Study Committee. They poured over reams of data and finished their visit with a public meeting on Wednesday last week. During that meeting, they presented a short version of their findings and recommendation…

Although Gaston and Gibson strongly recommended the county build a new facility on a different site than the jail, they stopped short of identifying the number of beds or the size of the investment…

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