Shakopee Snapshots

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 31, 1901 Scott County Argus

The south room of the first floor of the Argus block has been divided into two stores. The north room has been rented to Mrs. Gleason, who comes from St. Paul, where she has been engaged in the wholesale millinery stores for three months past, for a dressmaking and millinery establishment.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Frank Helmuth of Bloomington has leased the portion of the Argus block adjacent to the alley on the south, and will open a new butcher shop there about the first of April. The place is new and will be very handsomely fitted up as a salesroom, a new building at the rear, to be built, furnishing a detached place for rendering, cooking and the like. Mr. Helmuth is no stranger to the townspeople of whom he is soon to become a business associate, and he will start out with many warm friendships as a further incentive to his good business ability, all of which augurs well for his success in his new enterprise. He will remove here from Bloomington as soon as he can find a suitable dwelling house, and that he will be gladly welcomed as a citizen goes without saying.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 5, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Arthur Pass and August Krueger who have been conducting the Brunswick Music Shoppe in the John Berens block have decided to discontinue their business. Ed V. Mertz has rented their rooms and will open an insurance office this week.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 4, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Brother and Sister Meet with Similar Accident

Last Saturday night Fred Kopp had the misfortune of breaking his collar bone while cranking his automobile.

His sister Mrs. Ed Dressen started to substitute in his place in carrying the mail on route 4 Monday morning, at which time she broke her right arm in two places while cranking another car which she was to use on the route. Mrs. Dressen parked her car in the usual parking place north of the postoffice and made on the day’s mail and was ready to start on the route when she attempted to crank the car and met with the accident.

William Krupp is now substituting on the rural route and will continue in this capacity until Fred has recovered sufficiently so that he can again resume his duties.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee School Picked for Student Guidance Sessions

Shakopee high school has been selected by the State Department of Education as the host school for the first of a series of 22 guidance conferences “for the purpose of considering ways and means of improving and expanding needed guidance services in all Minnesota schools.”

The initial conference is to be held here Tuesday, Feb. 6, Al N. Wurst, superintendent, announced. More than 26 seniors in the area are expected to send representatives to the sessions which are to get under way at 9 a.m…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Name Don Miles As Chief Deputy

Don Miles has been appointed chief deputy sheriff of Scott county and will assume his duties today, W. B. Schroeder, sheriff, announced this week…

At the same time he announced that he and Miles will be uniformed. The new uniform for the sheriff and deputies is forest green in color making them readily identified as officers at accidents and other places when engaged in police work…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 4, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

New junior high school open

Classes began Monday at the new Shakopee Junior High school in Shakopee.

A split-level three floor design, the building houses 600 junior high school students from Shakopee School District 720. For the past three and a half years the students attended split-shift classes at the Shakopee Senior High School.

Designed for future area growth and program sharing with the Shakopee Area Catholic Schools, the 135,000 square foot facility can handle 900 full-time students…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Group envisions arts center in park

The idea of transforming Huber Park into something besides an underused patch of floodplain in downtown Shakopee didn’t die with the failure of a city bond referendum two years ago. A group of business people still hopes to one day create a performing arts area that will be the centerpiece of a fully developed downtown park…

Vision Shakopee, an effort to plan the future of the city by a group of community members, wants to see a performing arts facility similar to the one the city of Eden Prairie built in Staring Lake Park in 1989 and expanded in 1992…

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150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1876 Shakopee Argus

NOTICE.—The Grammar Department of School District No. 41 can accommodate a few outside pupils. The charges are $1.00 per month, payable strictly in advance. Apply for admission to Peter Yost, Director, or to Chas. Bornarth, Clerk.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 24, 1901 Scott County Argus

Robert Iten and family will remove the latter part of this week to Arlington, where Mr. Iten expects to go into business. He will open up a “racket” store. Mr. and Mrs. Iten and family came here from LeSueur about four years ago when the Segelbaum store was established and during their residence here have made many friends who will regret their departure.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

The question of renting the second floor of the south half of the new building erected by Henry Hinds for a hall seems to have been decided in the affirmative by the three societies which are to enter into a five year lease, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the A. O. U. W., and the M. W. A. They will contract to pay $180 a year jointly, and will have the right of subletting for parties, lectures, hops and the like, by which means they hope to make up a good part of the rent. The hall will be furnished in elegant style for lodge purposes, with cloakroom, anteroom and banquet room apart from the main hall, and the furnishings will be of the best, including stations, cabinets, easy chairs and carpet strips which can be readily removed.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 29, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Siebenaler Bros began cutting ice on the river Monday and report it of good quality, about 18 inches thick.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 28, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Blue Print of New Bridge at Strunk’s Drug Store

Blue prints of the proposed new bridge across the river at Holmes street are completed and one of them has been left at Strunk’s Drug Store so that local people who wish may see it.

The bridge, as shown in the blue print, will be a massive structure. It is to be constructed of steel and concrete and will be 780 feet long with a 27 foot driveway. The blue print shows a 1.5% grade down going north across the river. It also shows that a stairway is to be constructed near the north end of the bridge leading down to the park. The bridge will be 20 feet above the mill spur track.

A 5 ½ foot pedestrian’s walk will be built on each side of the bridge.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Vote Asked on Abolishing Local Police Commission

A petition railing for a vote on the abolition of the police commission which has been in existence here since Dec. 1, 1948, is being circulated throughout the city it was learned this week…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

New High School Getting Attention

With the Shakopee high school addition rapidly nearing completion, the new structure is attracting wide attention in this area, Supt. Al Wurst reports. Schoolmen and school board members of neighboring communities have been visiting the school in an ever increasing stream. In the past week, visitors included the Rosemount school board and Supt. Lambert Baumgartner; Supt. Joseph Brula of Jordan; and Supt. Hubert Olson of Bloomington.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 28, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Plastercraft Artisan opens

Jim McCleary, Excelsior, has opened Plastercraft Artisan on East First Avenue, just two doors east of the Holmes Street intersection.

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Delay in construction of library will save money

A shift in the schedule that pushes weather-sensitive construction work to spring 2002 means Shakopee’s public library won’t likely open until May 2003 rather than in late 2002. But the delay is expected to save the city approximately $40,000 in construction costs…

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150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Old Settlers of Shakopee are bound to keep alive the memory of the past. Extensive preparations are being made for their second Annual Re-union and Banquet on Tuesday evening next. The business meeting, annual address and banquet will take place in the evening. The committee desire that provisions should be sent to the Hall in the forenoon, or as early in the afternoon as possible.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 17, 1901 Scott County Argus

F. B. Chapman, the photographer, whose gallery has been closed for several weeks while he was on a business trip to the East, returned last week. He was since called to the deathbed of his father at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he is at present. He will reopen his gallery here as soon as he returns.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Leo Scherkenbach has severed his connection with P. J. Schwartz’s store.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 22, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Blue Print of New Bridge Here

The blue print of the proposed new bridge across the river at Holmes street has been completed and is now at Strunk’s drug store.

The bridge will be 800 feet in length.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 21, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Plenty of Opportunity to Hear Shakopee Program

Local people and those residing within driving distance of the city of Shakopee will have ample opportunity to listen in on the Shakopee program next Saturday evening.

At this writing we have been informed by the following firms that they have arranged to receive the Shakopee program to be broadcast over WCCO next Saturday evening, between 8:15 and 9:15. All of them will be glad to have those wishing to hear the program, listen in as their guests—The Gem theater motion picture show, W. F. Davy Co., Scherkenbach Hardware and Electric Supply, Shakopee Drug Co., M. Rosen and J. W. Oldenburg.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Opens Law Office

J. J. Moriarty, former Eighth district Judge, has opened law offices in the post office building in Chaska, it was learned. The office suite was recently completed by Florian Eder who owns the building.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Postal Receipts At Record High

Postal receipts at the Shakopee post office for 1950 were the highest in history, Mrs. Michael L. Regan, acting postmaster, disclosed yesterday.

Receipts for the calendar year amounted to $25,403.92, a gain of $2,297.71 over the 1949 figure of $23,106.21…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 21, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

“Medley of problems” include courthouse telephones, carpet

A committee to study the problem of how many telephones and lines should be put into the new county courthouse was set up at yesterday’s Scott County board meeting.

The committee will include Commissioners Dennis Hron and Marvin Oldenburg and county administrator Joseph Ries.

Establishment of the committee was the result of more heated discussion arising out of a request for more telephone stations in the courthouse than was set out in contract specifications…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Fire hits Murphy’s Landing

Main building destroyed, but other historic structures saved

Fire destroyed the main building, including offices and six apartments, at Murphy’s Landing in Shakopee early Wednesday morning. There were no serious injuries reported and none of the site’s historic buildings were damaged. The fire was declared under control about 8:45 a.m.

Firefighters from Shakopee and eight other area departments fought the blaze. They were hampered by a lack of water on the site. The blaze also caused a traffic problem, after authorities closed County Road 101. The eastbound lanes were reopened about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday…

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150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Rev. Mr. Burt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, will address the citizens of Shakopee to-morrow (Friday evening) at the White School House, (District No. One) on the subject of Popular Education. As all are interested in this important subject, let every one that can turn out, and thus gain valuable information.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1901 Scott County Argus

This office is indebted to John P. Ring for a calendar of the Hamm Brewing company. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful and most expensive calendars that has been sent out in this state.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

A carload of 60,000 pounds of broken glass was shipped last week from the Jacob Ries Bottling work to the bottle factory of Streetur, Ill. During the year a big bin in the yard receives the broken and nicked bottles, and this is handled like coal when the time comes to ship it to the factory for re-melting.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 15, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Frank Koelzer of the Redman Ice Cream Company spent last week in Minneapolis, learning the fine points of installing an iceless cabinet at a special school which teaches the process to interested dealers. The latter were entertained Friday evening at a banquet at Hotel Nicollet and Mr. Koelzer was among the guests.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 14, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Petition for White Way Presented to Council

The committee representing the Shakopee Commercial club circulated a petition during the past week among the property owners in the district in which the proposed new White Way is to be installed.

The committee met with gratifying success as the owners of more than 70% of the property in this district have already affixed their signatures to this petition. As most of the remaining property owners are non-residents, petitions were mailed to them to be signed. The committee expects to have nearly 100% of the signatures of the property owners when the petitions are returned by the non-resident owners. The Commercial club’s committee met with the city council last Tuesday evening and presented the petition to the council. As the members of the council are very anxious to have a White Way installed it can be set down as a certainty now that Shakopee will have a new White Way within the next few months.

J. J. Cavanaugh, president of the council, has informed us that it is the council’s intentions to start the actual work of installing the White Way just as soon as weather will permit this coming spring.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Scout Hike Set for Saturday

Members of the Shakopee Boy Scout troop have scheduled a hike in the NYA camp, east of Shakopee for Saturday afternoon. The boys are to assemble at the Scout cabin at 1:30 and return at 6 o’clock, patrol leaders said…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Council Appoints New Assessor

Mrs. Loretta Jaspers was appointed city assessor for the 1951 year by action of the Shakopee City Council Tuesday evening. She has served in the past as assessor.

Salary will be $400 for the year. However, if the present state legislature abolishes the personal property tax on household goods, her salary will be proportionately reduced…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 14, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Bridge spanning Minnesota River linked with growth potential for Scott County

A meeting of the minds regarding the proposed Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge bill was attempted last week in Minneapolis.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Council, legislature, Shakopee and Scott County met with Senator Walter Mondale, author of the bill, to handle the need for a bridge in one area of the proposed wildlife refuge…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Co. Rd. 16 realignment plan to bring opposition

A nearly completed study on the realignment of County Road 16 and the extension of 17th Avenue is likely to show that the most northerly of the four thoroughly studied options is the most feasible. Strong opposition from affected residents is expected.

The feasibility report was expected to be completed this month. But pending comment from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Scott County, as well as a future county funding commitment, the publishing of the report will likely be pushed into February. What it will likely show is that the extension of 17th Avenue to the east of County Road 83 should line up with existing County Road 16 just east of the existing fork in that section of the county road. Residents along County Road 16 east of County Road 83 have expressed opposition to the idea because they expect it to bring heavier traffic on what they expect will ultimately be a four-lane road…

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150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Presbyterian Sociable will be held at the residence of Mrs. M. S. Titus, on Thursday evening next, the 13th inst. A cordial invitation is extended to all.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 3, 1901 Scott County Argus

The Minnesota Stove Co. has bought the entire nickle-plating outfit of the St. Paul Stove Co. and will bring it to Shakopee immediately. It is much larger than that of the company here, which has been much too small for their business.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Auditor Moore’s office is graced by a new writing table with polished top, three by four and a half feet in size, oak finish. Throughout it is a fine piece of cabinet work, the product of F. X. Hirscher & Sons’ factory.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Radio Program

Mayor E. K. Ries announces that arrangements have been made by her to broadcast a Shakopee program from WCCO station Saturday evening, January 23d, from 8:15 to 9:15 o’clock. The program will include Shakopee talent only and will be awaited with interest by radio enthusiasts. It will be published in full next week.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 7, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Now Practically Assured White Way

The working out of plans whereby Shakopee is to have a new White Way has been in progress for some time and these plans now have apparently materialized to an extent that it is safe to predict at this time that Shakopee will have a new White Way installed in its business section during 1926.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Move to Speed up Hospital Project

In the hope of providing a new hospital even if anticipated federal aid fails to materialize or is long delayed in being allocated to the Tri-County hospital project here, the Sisters of St. Francis took steps this week to make good their promise that a new hospital will be built in Shakopee at the earliest possible date.

The sisters, who operate the present hospital, instructed their architect Hubert Sanson, Minneapolis, to complete preliminary plans and at the same time disclosed their intention to call for open competitive bids as soon as plans had been completed…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

New Scoop In Action

Shakopee’s newest piece of heavy street and road machinery got a good stiff workout in handling the heavy snow of last week, and all observers agreed that the new machine, pictured above, came through the test with flying colors.

The large, three wheeled vehicle is known as a “Scoopmobile” and can maneuver rapidly in a small space while handling, lifting and loading heavy loads up to two tons. At present the machine is equipped with a large snow bucket.

However, for use during the summer, the machine can be used to load gravel…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 7, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

City receives grant

Second District Congressman Tom Hagedorn announced today that Shakopee will receive $80,000 from the Housing and Urban Development Block Grant. The money is to be earmarked for rehabilitations programs, according to the Congressman.

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

New junior high mural reflects student diversity

It’s more than just another painting done by a bunch of kids.

A colorful new mural spreading across a wall in the cafeteria at Shakopee Junior High reflects the changing cultural landscape of the community and the school’s 900 students.

Whether they are of African, Asian, Native American, Middle Eastern, or European descent, all students and their families should feel they are among friends when they enter the building, explained school principal Jean Wyatt. The mural, with its global appeal, doubles as a giant “Welcome” sign…

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

Dog Stolen.

A brown colored Setter dog pup (nearly grown) was stolen from the undersigned about four weeks ago. He will answer to the name of “Sport.” If promptly returned I will call it strayed. If not, I will pay a liberal reward for information that will lead to his recovery and the conviction of the thief.

J. L. MacDonald.

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

Mike Berens disposed of 730 pounds of nuts during the three or four days before Christmas.

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

H. H. Strunk & Sons, who were local agents for the atlas check scheme in vogue in eight or ten places of business during the past year, received the last consignment of books the first of the week. They report that 97 atlases were distributed, each representing $75 worth of trade.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 1, 1926 Shakopee Argus

The Jacob Ries Bottling Works, Inc., in accordance with their annual custom remembered friends and patrons with artistic holiday greetings and the neat little desk calendars that are so great a convenience to many who are accustomed to receive them.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The moulders and mounters of the American Range Corporation are enjoying a week’s vacation from their work while the latter firm is taking an inventory of their stock.

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

Moving to New Home

Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Weiler, son Dan and daughter Susan are moving to their new home on South Holmes street today. The home they were occupying … has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Lewis of Viola, Ill. Mr. Lewis is a traveling engineer for the Bituminous Casualty Co. of Rock Island. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children.

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

Senate Restores Federal Funds For New Hospital Construction Friday

That Shakopee may still receive federal funds, in the present fiscal year, for the construction of a new $750,000 St. Francis hospital was indicated in word from Washington Saturday morning.

In a telegram to the Valley News, Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota advised that the U. S. Senate, in action taken Friday, had restored federal funds for hospital construction amounting to $75,000,000. The measure is now before the House of Representatives.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Metro Council approves federal wildlife refuge plan for valley

The Metropolitan Council Thursday approved a federal plan for development of a 6,500-acre National Wildlife Refuge in the Minnesota Valley.

In a related action, the Council endorsed a proposal made by Sen. Walter Mondale, DFL-Minn. to include 10,900 acres of Minnesota River flood plain in the refuge.

The proposal was presented to the Council by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It would designate four units of land between Bloomington and Louisville township in Scott County as a National Wildlife Refuge.

The Mondale proposal calls for inclusion of the flood plain between Fort Snelling and the Louisville swamp, south of Carver, in the refuge area…

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

Shakopee buildings included in book on state ‘Vanished Places’

Shakopee has earned a place in the pages of a new book titled “Lost Minnesota: Stories of Vanished Places.”

Author Jack El-Hai has compiled photos and profiles of 89 historically significant buildings and properties around the state that are no longer standing, including two in Shakopee.

Among the array of noteworthy sites is the Reis Block, once located on the northeast corner of First Avenue and Holmes Street in the downtown commercial district, as well as the Merchants Hotel, part of a bygone era on Second Street East. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places…

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

The Board of County Commissioners have to elect a Superintendent of Schools at their January meeting. We trust there will be no lack of suitable candidates to select from.

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

Christmas trees, 10c. and up, at M. Berens’.

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

Joseph Leuwer had planned to have a big opening of “The Exchange” for next Saturday night, and had engaged fine music and a couple of roast pigs and turkeys and other good things to enliven his hospitality. But Saturday happens to be one of the Ember days, when the eating of meat is abstained from, hence the date of the opening has been set for a week from Saturday night.

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

Shakopee To Have Mid-Winter Carnival

A big mid-winter, indoor carnival and Mardi Gras is assured for Shakopee and plans to put it over in a big way are already in the forming. Officers and representatives of both the Shakopee Commercial Club and Shakopee Post No. 2, American Legion, under whose auspices and sponsorship the mammoth affair will be staged, met at the Rest rooms Tuesday evening and organized to carry the plans to a successful conclusion.

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

The members of the local hiking club met last Thursday evening and hiked three miles out on the Marystown road. On Sunday afternoon they again met and took a most interesting hike along the Minnesota river. They followed the banks east three and a half miles, and then returned. Both hikes were reported as having been thoroughly enjoyed.

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

Mayor Signs Resolution Establishing Commission

Timed to become effective April 1, 1951, the resolution establishing a utilities and building commission for Shakopee was signed by Mayor Clarence J. Czaia Thursday. The resolution was adopted by the council at its meeting Dec. 12.

Members of the three-man commission will be C. B. Fricke who will be the chairman and a member for a one-year term, Dr. J. E. Ponterio who has been named for a two-year term, and, R. C. Condon, for a three-year term…

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

Burglars Get $40 At Auto Fountain Monday

The Scott county sheriff’s office and Shakopee police are investigating a break-in at the Auto Fountain on East First Street early Monday morning. The burglary was discovered by Officer John Roepke shortly before 4 a.m. that morning.

Stolen was about $40 in change from a desk drawer and ten cartons of cigarettes according to Robert Ryan. Entry to the service station was attained by breaking a glass window at the rear of the building.

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

Shakopee Dairy Queen gets Silver Cone Award

Wallace and Barbara Jenkins, operators of the Dairy Queen store at 835 W. First St., Shakopee, have won American Dairy Queen Corporation’s Silver Cone Award, according to an announcement by Harris Cooper, president.

The Silver Cone Award recognizes that Jenkins’ store recorded a 500 gallon increase in mix usage over the previous year…

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

Court system improvements approved

Rather than relying solely on additional staff to manage the mountain of work Court Administration faces each day, Scott County is relying on a mix of additional personnel, technology and organizational change that should allow the department to run more efficiently.

The county concedes it has left Court Administration somewhat understaffed in the wake of an increasing caseload, a condition that contributes to an inefficiently run court system… Earlier this year, Beverly Bright, a consultant from American University, studied the operations of the county’s court system, funded by the First Judicial District. Among Bright’s recommendations were that the county should hire a minimum of four staff just to creep up to the bottom of the average range of staff per chambered judge…

Unanimously approved by the County Board, the county’s plan is to add 2.5 full-time equivalent (FTEs) staff in addition to the one full-time position hired in 2000. The 2.5 FTEs for 2001 will cost the county approximately $75,000 and are included in the levy and budget for 2001. But the county is also planning to make a significant increase in the use of technology and also reorganize the department further in an effort to further enhance Court Administration’s overall efficiency.

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

Had not the Trustees of one of our public schools better inquire into the report over which the school boys are disgusted that a teacher appeared in school drunk. A drunken teacher in school, a drunken clergyman in the pulpit, and a drunken judge in court are about the worst features in civil society. If the report is false, let the Trustees correct it; if true, then let us have no school rather than suffer under such a disgraceful scandal.

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

A chimney fire at the Occidental hotel called out the fire department on Saturday, but as usual the fire was out before the men reached the place.

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

The Heidenreich saloon, established in 1861, was last Saturday sold to John Classen, late of the firm Peffer & Classen, harness makers. Mr. Classen is a popular young man, and he starts out with every prospect of success. August Lies ahs been engaged as bartender.

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

C. J. Hartmann has on display in his show window a specially packed Christmas box of apples sent to him by his brother A. B. Hartmann of Yakima. The fruit is immense in size and is a Christmas gift that any one would prize, the box containing three kinds of delectable hand picked apples, the Delicious, Greenings and Winesaps.

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

Local Hiking Club Members Took Two Enjoyable Hikes

About fifty members of the Shakopee Hiking club congregated on last Friday evening, December 11, for the first time since the club’s organization a few weeks ago, and hiked as far as the Mudcura Sanitarium and back. After the hike a short meeting was held at the public rest room and several new members enrolled in the club.

Last Sunday afternoon the club members hiked about three miles east on Highway No. 5. Hereafter the hikers will meet every Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening at the public rest room at 3 p. m. and 7:30 p. m. respectively, at which times hikes to various different places will be taken…

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

Bought Main Street Bar

R. H. Thompson is the new owner of the Main Street Bar, taking possession two weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and the former’s father, Albert Thompson, moved here from Minneapolis and are occupying the apartment over the Gamble store.

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

To Cast Kitchen Utensils Here

Shakopee added another industry this week when the city council rented the former Huss foundry the NYA camp to the Northland Aluminum Products, Inc. of St. Louis Park…

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

Feb. 20 school vote set

Board is unanimous on $18.1 million question

It’s final.

Voters in the Shakopee School District will head to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to cast their ballots and decide the fate of an $18.1 million school bond referendum.

The official size and scope of the funding request was approved by School Board members Monday, following a series of discussions at meetings and work sessions over the past six months…

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

Mr. John Merk has started a Cigar Factory in Shakopee.

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

At St. Mark’s church last Sunday the pews were rented for the ensuing year. The revenue derived therefore amounts to from $3,000 to $4,000, and defrays the expenses of the parish, besides liquidating a debt upon the church.

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

An important business change of the week was the transfer of the elegant “Exchange” saloon, for the past six years run by Peter Arensbach, of the firm Hickey & Arensbach, to Joseph Leuwer of Lakeville. The retirement of Mr. Arensbach from the business circles of Shakopee will be a distinct loss, for his public spirit and progressive ideas have been of great value to the city in many ways and many instances, notably in bringing the street fairs to a high pinnacle of success. He will remain here this winter, however; and it may be that he will after that enjoy travel for a time in the old country. Beyond this he has formed no plans. All will hope he may decide to keep his residence in Shakopee. Regret at his retiring will not depreciate from the welcome accorded Mr. Leuwer, the new proprietor; and he and his family will find Shakopee a pleasant home.

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

Esch-Manaige Case

A decision and findings in the Geo Esch-Manaige case involving the question of title to the springs commonly known as the “Faribault Springs,” was handed down by Judge C. M. Tifft last Monday. Inasmuch as there seems to be some misunderstanding as to the correct interpretation of the findings of fact we are not prepared at this time to say just what the legal rights of the parties concerned are in the premise.

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

Shakopee Radio Fan Picks up Havana, Cuba

Misa Grace Griffth, an ardent radio fan of this city, succeeded in picking up Havana, Cuba one evening last week, on her five tube Arbifone radio set.

Miss Griffth picked up the Havana station on the wave length between WCCO of Minneapolis and WLW of Cincinnati.

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

Change Name

Clarence J. Czaia and Levi Mallan announced this week they have changed the name of their firm to Star Metalcraft. The business was formerly known as Wolf-Mallan, Inc. Czaia and Mallan bought the interests of Fred Wolf, several months ago.

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

Legion Sponsors Football Dinner

Coaches and members of the Shakopee high school football squad will be honored at an appreciation banquet to be given by the Shakopee Post No. 2, American Legion, at the club next Wednesday evening.

Shakopee was co-champions of the Minnesota Valley conference this year. John Kline is chairman of the entertainment committee and promises a good program for the evening. The dinner will be served by Mrs. Nellie Verkennes…

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

County board asks department heads to make voluntary cuts

The Scott County board of commissioners yesterday asked county department heads to come up with voluntary budget cuts to eliminate a $32,954 budget deficit in the county budget.

“We are considerably over what we can levy in the county,” chairman William Koniarski told them. “This is a very serious matter. The board still feels there are additional cuts that we can make.”

Koniarski added that the new courthouse providing extra space, new equipment, switchboard operators and a reproduction room should increase the efficiency of the present employees. This in turn, he said, should cut down on man hours. He suggested sharing employees and the possibility of pooling resources…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 7, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

An end to an era in Shakopee

It may be the end of an era, but the Berens legacy lives on in downtown Shakopee.

In a labor of love that spanned more than 125 years, Bill Berens and his brothers, father, uncles and grandfather before him ran a family-friendly, mom-and-pop grocery store that gained a reputation for competitive prices, quality products and neighborly service.

Berens Super Market continues to thrive under new ownership at the corner of Second Avenue and Fuller Street — just one block west of the original general store that opened its doors in 1874.

The decision to retire did not come easily to Bill, who sold his family’s supermarket to an Inver Grove Heights couple in late August…

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