Shakopee Snapshots

150 Years Ago: From the March 23, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Phillips & Co. will be prepared to take Pictures in their Gallery on the 26^th. Gallery near Hinds’ Block.

125 Years Ago: From the March 21, 1901 Scott County Argus

Bicycle tags will be on sale within a week or two. The price will be 50 cents. Wheelmen at Bloomington are requested to buy their tags here and assist in raising funds to complete the Shakopee-Minneapolis path.

125 Years Ago: From the March 22, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

The Jacob Ries Bottling works are putting a new drink on the market, called Ironbrew, a non-alcoholic life renewer, prepared from receipts of a celebrated Carlsbad physician. Having medicinal properties it is necessary to put a 5/8 cent revenue stamp on each package, at present; but the law has been repealed to take effect in July. The demand for Ironbrew is greatest in Wisconsin.

100 Years Ago: From the March 26, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Papers Consolidate

Last Saturday a deal was closed between D. W. Byrne, owner and publisher of the Shakopee Tribune, Wm. Duffy, owner and publisher of the Shakopee Argus, whereby the two publications were merged into one, which, on April 1st and thereafter will be known as the Shakopee Argus-Tribune. Wm. F. Duffy is to be managing editor and D. W. Byrne business manager of the consolidated publication. The Tribune plant will be moved to the Argus Building just as soon as all arrangements for moving can be completed. Thursday will be the publication day of the Argus-Tribune and its first issue will be on next Thursday, April 1st. With this issue the Argus concludes No. 20 of Volume 65 and the Tribune with its issue of yesterday completed No. 1 of Volume 31.

100 Years Ago: From the March 25, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Contract Let for Grading Between Here and Rowland

Among the highway contracts let during the past week was one for grading 7.3 miles on trunk highway No. 5 between Shakopee and Rowland, and three 25-foot bridges, all at $144,282. Nolan Bros. of Minneapolis were the low bidders on this contract, the awarding of which was withheld pending satisfactory right-of-way settlements.

75 Years Ago: From the March 22, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

New Girl Scout Troop Organized

Shakopee will have a new Girl Scout troop, the result of 15 girls “flying up” from Bluebird class, it was announced this week by Mrs. W. B. Schroeder, leader.

Mrs. Schroeder will have charge of the new Scout group, in which are openings for five more girls, she said. They should be 10 years old, or 9 and going into the fifth grade…

75 Years Ago: From the March 22, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

CC Considers New Industries

A concerted effort to attract new industry will be made this year, it was agreed after a stimulating meeting of the Shakopee Commercial Club Tuesday evening in the Legion club.

After John Metcalf, chairman of a program committee presented his report, a lively discussion started that culminated in a motion directing President Ray Siebenaler to appoint a special industrial committee…

50 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Minnesota Valley Mall will open to Scott, Carver residents March 25

Minnesota Valley Mall, located on Highway 169 and West 10th Avenue in Shakopee, will open to the general public on March 25th, according to Mavon Marrin, property manager for Watson Centers, Inc…

Minnesota Valley mall has a total of 135,000 square feet of retail space and over 20,000 more square feet of mall area and service areas.

25 Years Ago: From the March 22, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Wal-Mart may join retail mix

City apparently will attract another major chain’s store

Shakopee continues to add to its apparent destiny as an area retail hub. Kmart recently expanded its presence in the city, and Target opened its doors here last year. Recently it was reported that Kohl’s department store would open in town.

And now Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, is eyeing a location in the Shakopee Crossings development in the northeastern corner of the city.

Last week, Shakopee Crossings Limited Partnership submitted plans to develop a 149,551-square-foot Wal-Mart. It would sit on a parcel of approximately 80 acres bordered by Highway 169 on the north, County Road 18 on the east and Southbridge Parkway on the south. The company’s plans include an additional 74,702 square feet for expansion…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the March 16, 1876 Shakopee Argus

John McMullen has lately renovated his store room with a new coat of paint, and has just received a large stock of Hardware, Tin-ware, Copper, Hollow and Japan-ware, to which he invites the especial attention of those wishing anything in his line. These goods will be sold at Granger prices—that means the lowest price for cash.

125 Years Ago: From the March 14, 1901 Scott County Argus

The Cadet Band is practicing regularly for its grand concert, which is to take place at Lander opera house on Monday evening, April 8th, and it is safe to predict that they will present their hearers on that occasion with something in the music line worth listening to. The concert is to be followed by a dance.

125 Years Ago: From the March 15, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Henry Mergens has been elected chief of the fire department, vice E. J. Gellenbeck, resigned. Mr. and Mrs. Gellenbeck expect to be in North Dakota a great part of the summer, where Mr. Gellenbeck has pre-empted a fine claim.

100 Years Ago: From the March 19, 1926 Shakopee Argus

City’s White Way Making Progress

It will not be long now before the active work of installing Shakopee’s new lighting system in the business district will be commenced in accordance with the plan worked out and agreed to by the committee representing the commercial club and the citizens of Shakopee, including Edw. J. Huber, H. C. Berens, A. M. Strunk and Wm. F. Duffy, working in conjunction with the city council.

Bids on the necessary material which is ready to go into the construction of the new system were duly called for by the council. Several bids were received, one of which was accepted and a contract was entered into for the delivery of the material called for. It is likely that the job will be started as soon as conditions will permit.

100 Years Ago: From the March 18, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

E. J. Sweeney was re-elected superintendent of the Shakopee public school at a meeting of the Board of Education which was held last Thursday evening. This meeting was a special meeting of the board held for the purpose of electing a superintendent for the coming year.

75 Years Ago: From the March 15, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee To Get New PM

Senate confirmation of the appointment of Cormac A. Suel as Shakopee postmaster was announced last week, it was learned.

75 Years Ago: From the March 15, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

John Roepke Resigns As Night Officer

Resignation of John Roepke as night police officer was accepted by the Police Civil Service Commission at a special meeting Saturday evening.

Bernard Arnoldi was appointed as temporary night watchman until suitable civil service tests can be prepared and an examination called. Arnoldi has been the relief man tor the past year.

Roepke resigned to accept a position as patrolman with the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. He reported for duty this week but has not been assigned yet to a specific area…

50 Years Ago: From the March 17, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Dr. Pearson to receive honor in April

Dr. Bror F. Pearson, Shakopee, has been selected as recipient of the Franciscan International Award.

The award is given annually by the world-wide Order of Friars Minor Conventuals to an individual or group for having promoted in an extraordinary way Christian Idealism…

25 Years Ago: From the March 15, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Controversial project’s land may be sold

Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., one of the region’s leading developers of commercial and office properties, is considering the acquisition of land eyed for a controversial business park at the intersection of county roads 16 and 83 in Shakopee.

Ryan Companies has a contract to purchase the 330-acre property from Valley Green Business Park. The company has submitted an application for a preliminary plat for approximately 221 acres of land Valley Green Business Park has planned to develop as Valley Green Corporate Center, located on the northeast corner of county roads 16 and 83. The proposed sale also includes 9 acres Valley Green owns on the northwest corner of that intersection…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the March 9, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Mr. Latham’s school, East Shakopee, will close on Saturday, but the term will be continued on Monday by Miss Silver.

125 Years Ago: From the March 7, 1901 Scott County Argus

An important business change of the week was the purchase by Wm. Thiede of the stock of Mike Berens’ confectionery store. Mr. Berens retires from business after a siege of twenty-two years, or since 1879, when he bought the store from Mrs. George Bollman. Mr. Berens and family will next week remove to Salem, Ill., to make their future home with Mrs. Berens’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Schwartz. Mrs. Berens is their only daughter, and it is the desire of the old folks that she be with them in the evening of their lives. It is Mr. Thiede’s purpose to carry on the business and will this summer devote the west room to an ice cream parlor.

125 Years Ago: From the March 8, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Lawrenz Beran has sold his residence property in East Shakopee to Albert Raatz, of Chaska, the consideration being $700. Mr. Beran has gone to New Ulm to enter the Old Folks’ Home. The property sold is described as lots 8, 9 and 10, block 30, East Shakopee, Minn.

100 Years Ago: From the March 12, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ehrmantraut are moving from the Hartz building on Second street to rooms over the Scherkenbach Hardware and Electric Supply store on Holmes street.

100 Years Ago: From the March 11, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

That the spring season is near at hand is evidenced in the activity shown in the number of sales made by Schesso Bros. during the past week. During this period the local firm sold an Oldsmobile sedan to E. H. Brehaney, an Oldsmobile coach to Chas. Cassellius of Prior Lake and a Chevrolet truck to Gerhart Boettcher of Jordan.

75 Years Ago: From the March 8, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Hospital Preliminary Plans In State Authorities Hands

Preliminary plans for the new St. Francis hospital to be erected in Shakopee are now awaiting approval of state authorities, it was learned this week.

As soon as the state OK has been received architects will begin the job of preparing detail plans upon which contractors will base their bids.

75 Years Ago: From the March 8, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

School Addition Nearly Finished

With the final razing of the old 1890 portion of the Shakopee public school, the new school addition was nearly completed this week.

All classrooms with the exception of the home economics, industrial arts and commercial sections have now been finished. Equipment for those sections arrived this week and workmen started installation activities in that wing of the structure.

50 Years Ago: From the March 10, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Fahey submits resignation, management ordinance discussed

William E. Fahey, city clerk-administrator in Shakopee since late 1973 submitted his resignation to the Shakopee City Council at their meeting Tuesday night.

25 Years Ago: From the March 8, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

New city waste hauler readies for transition

For the first time in over a decade, residents inside Shakopee’s urban area will have a new garbage and recycling hauler. This, week, the public will see the first signs of the transition from Waste Management to Dick’s Sanitation.

Those signs will come in the form of new 30-, 60- or 90-gallon garbage and recycling bins delivered to homes. The recycling bins will be inside the upright garbage bins along with printed information about the services that Dick’s Sanitation plans to offer Shakopee’s 6,000-plus residential customers. In a letter from Waste Management to its customers, the company says its residential services will conclude March 17. The company asked its customers to have their bins ready for pickup on that day…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the March 2, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Mill Elevator is full of wheat but the mill grinds a thousand bushels a day.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 28, 1901 Scott County Argus

As will be seen by the real estate transfers on this page E. J. Hamilton sold his house and lots several blocks southwest of St. Mark’s church to H. H. Heller. The consideration was $500.

125 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Nic Dondelinger’s saloon is now brilliantly lighted with a powerful gasoline lamp, which seems to be a big advance on the gasoline lamps now in general use about town. It is known as the W. A. Salisbury art vapor lamp, and is run by air pressure.

100 Years Ago: From the March 5, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mr. and Mrs. John Theis have taken possession of the home belonging to Misses Mary and Helen Theis, having moved from their apartment in the postoffice block last Saturday to the Theis residence.

100 Years Ago: From the March 4, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Bridge Bill Is Passed by Congress

Tribune readers will be interested in the following Associated Press dispatch which appeared in the St. Paul Dispatch last Tuesday evening: “Washington, March 1.—Authorization for Minnesota to construct a bridge across the Minnesota river at Shakopee was provided in a bill passed here today by the House.”

This bill was introduced by August H. Andresen, congressman from this district, in the House of Representatives on February 5th.

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

City Will ‘Disappear’ In First Post-War Black Out

The dousing of lights at irregular intervals, which usually is the scene as Shakopee goes to bed each evening, will be missing tonight as the entire city is immediately plunged into darkness for the first black-out since World War II.

Homes, business places, institutions and automobiles will put out all lights promptly at 9 p.m., and will remain in clear sounds. A veil of the complete darkness until the all-siren will announce the start of the black-out, with three blasts at one-half minute intervals heralding the all-clear…

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

Lack of Quorum Halts Council

Task of verifying the signatures on the petition to abolish the police civil service commission was scheduled for council action at a special meeting last night.

Proponents of the measure pressed for action on it at a tense council session Tuesday night which culminated in three aldermen asking to be excused from the meeting for other engagements. As a result, the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the mayor for lack of a quorum. Mayor Czaia then called the special meeting for last night…

50 Years Ago: From the March 3, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Bank appeal

An appeal of the First National Bank of Shakopee versus the Department of Commerce was heard in the State Supreme Court Monday. The First National Bank is appealing a decision of the fourth judicial district court in Hennepin County upholding the Commerce Commission’s decision granting a certificate of authority for a new Citizens State Bank to transact business in Shakopee.

A decision is upcoming in the next two months, according to a spokesman for the bank.

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

New school planned by SACS

$13 million facility to open in fall 2003 for K-eighth graders

Looking to its future, Shakopee Area Catholic Schools (SACS) announced plans to build a $13 million school scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.

SACS’ seven-member Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the project on Feb. 14. The new school will be designed to hold 900 students in kindergarten through eighth grades…

The new school will be located on land east of Sun Path Elementary School, which is on the 2200 block of 17^th Avenue. It will be separated from the public school by a city-owned park…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 24, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Twenty-second of February—Washington’s Birthday—was quietly observed in Shakopee. The schools were closed, but business was not suspended.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 21, 1901 Scott County Argus

M. J. Mangan, Belle Plaine, gave an exhibition of a new kind of arc light last evening. Two lights were placed in P. J. Schwartz’s store, and another was suspended on wires midway between the Argus block corner and Flaherty & Lies’ store. The last one illuminated First street in either direction for more than four blocks, and attracted people from all parts of the town.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

The interior of E. W. Fitch’s barber shop has been much improved in appearance by the application of a glossy coat of hard oil upon all the furniture. Wilcox & Oster did the work.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Bids Called For

Highway Commissioner Babcock on last Tuesday called for bids for grading the 7.3 miles of No. 5 from Shakopee to Rowland and the construction of three 25-foot bridges, at an estimated cost of $150,000. The 7 miles from Rowland to Minneapolis was contracted for last fall and a part of this, section of the road has already been graded. It is expected that this entire piece of road will have been completed this summer to connect with the new bridge at Shakopee which will also be started this summer. The 12 miles of paving between Shakopee and Jordan will be begun as soon as conditions in the spring will permit, the contract already having been let. The balance of the road between Shakopee and Minneapolis will be paved next year.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 25, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

New Creamery May Be Started in Shakopee

Clifford Fowlds, who recently disposed of his interest in the Redman Ice Cream Co., is contemplating the starting of a new creamery in the west room of the Schroeder building on First street. These quarters are now occupied by the Moccasin Soap Co.

Mr. Fowlds informed this office that just as soon as the soap company finds other quarters for its stock and equipment, he anticipates securing the building for the operation of a new creamery…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee To Black Out In March 1 Civil Defense Test

The first black-out in the city of Shakopee since World War II will be held next Thursday night at 9 o’clock.

In line with national and state defense measures that have rapidly been taking shape in recent weeks, Shakopee officials will find out through the mock alert just how well local residents can cooperate in an emergency situation.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

County To Get X-Ray Program

Chest x-rays for all Scott county people school age and over, are on the Minnesota Department of Health schedule for the coming summer, according to word received by Mrs. Sarah Johansson, county nurse.

The health department’s huge x-ray truck will roll into this county July 9 and remain until August 24, Mrs. Johansson said…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 25, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Task force recommends closing correctional institution here

A report submitted to the Minnesota legislature from the Minnesota Task Force on Correctional Institutions has concluded: “The Minnesota Correctional Institution at Shakopee should be closed and the residents transferred to the Metropolitan Training Center at Lino Lakes.”

The report was submitted to the Legislature last week. Copies have not yet been made available to the public…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners give OK to Murphy’s plan

Avoiding the role as a potential deal-breaker in the proposed takeover of Murphy’s Landing by Hennepin Parks, the Scott County Board gave its blessing to the concept last week. The board’s action effectively leaves only the formal approvals of Hennepin Parks, Murphy’s Landing and the city of Shakopee as the hurdles left to clear. All three groups have endorsed the idea.

County commissioners endorsed the agreement between Hennepin Parks and the Minnesota Valley Restoration Project, the parent organization of Murphy’s Landing, with minimal discussion. Along with it, the county will continue its annual contribution to Murphy’s Landing, currently $130,000…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 17, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Miller’s safety platforms and patent couples are soon to be attached to the passenger coaches on the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 14, 1901 Scott County Argus

L. A. Guilbert was down from Henderson Tuesday, and conveyed his interest in Guilbert’s restaurant and confectionery store to M. O. Davis, who has been managing the business since it was started three months ago. Mr. Guilbert was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr. Didra, also of Henderson.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Henry Kohls, of the firm of Lauer & Kohls, took his departure last Tuesday on a trip to the western coast. He will visit with the Shakopee colony at North Yakima, and spend some time looking over the country around Seattle and Tacoma. His stay will be of indefinite length, probably running well into the spring.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Senior Band Will Reorganize

Plans for the reorganizing of the Shakopee local band are under way, and a meeting of members of that organization will be held this evening to select a committee to go before the Commercial club at its regular meeting next Monday evening and ask for cooperation in reestablishing the baud as a permanent organization. There is every reason to believe that the support asked for will be given and that Shakopee will again have its own local band to represent it. This will in no way conflict with the development of the Boys’ band recently organized and it is probable that the city can boast of possessing two local bands, a senior and a junior organization, within a short time.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 18, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Bridge Plans Now Complete

Cong. Aug. H. Andresen Introduces Bill to Permit Construction Across River.

This office is in receipt of a letter from Congressman August H. Andresen, in which he enclosed copy of a bill which he introduced a few days ago to permit the State of Minnesota to construct a new bridge across the Minnesota river at Shakopee.

As the matter of the construction of this new bridge which is to cross the river at Holmes street in this city is uppermost in the minds of residents of this community, Tribune readers will be especially interested in the bill introduced by Congressman Andresen in the House of Representatives on February 5, 1926. The bill was referred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee Joined To New Bell ‘Dial Network’

Long distance telephone service will be speeded up through raw switching apparatus that now gives Shakopee operators direct connections, through Minneapolis, to a long distance dial network that includes about a thousand cities in the United States.

E. G. Leibold, Northwestern Bell manager here, said the new method of “operator dialing” makes it possible for Shakopee operators to dial directly the numbers in distant cities that are connected to the network.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Rahr Plant Uses Over 10 Per Cent Of State’s Malting Barley Output

Minnesota growers of the 27,700,500 bushels of barley used for malting in 1950 were paid a high premium per bushel over barley sold on the market for feeding purposes, Frank Kiewel, Little Falls, president of Minnesota Brewers Association, reported this week.

Shakopee, one of the leading malting barley producing communities in the state, likewise had a large stake in the production of malt last year.

According to records of the Rahr Malt Co. here, one out of every nine bushels of malting barley processed in the state last year went through the Shakopee plant of the Rahr Company…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 18, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Bicentennial wagon train will stop March 3-5

Minnesota will take part in a Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania, it was announced this week by the Shakopee Bicentennial Committee. Shakopee will be visited by a prairie schooner on March 3, 4, 5.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

ADC terminates 350 Shakopee jobs

ADC Telecommunications terminated 419 employees in the Twin Cities in the past two weeks, including 350 at its Shakopee plant…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 10, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Having long felt the need of an efficient organization in this city for an emergency in case of fire, it is therefore proposed to hold a meeting at the City Hall on tomorrow (Friday) evening, to organize a Fire Company and adopt the requisite measure to make it a success. Let all the citizens turn out, and especially those who are willing to become members. Be on hand at 7 o’clock sharp.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 7, 1901 Scott County Argus

Hereafter the central office of the Greene & Western telephone company in this city will be open all night and all day Sundays. Heretofore the office was open but from two to four hours on that day. The local exchange now numbers sixty one phones, with new ones being added each month.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Charles Green, who has been filling the position of clerk at the Sterling hotel for the past three months in a faithful and obliging manner, returned the fore part of the week to St. Paul.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mrs. Robert Riedel, formerly of this city, who is making her home with the Joseph Nagel family, had the great misfortune to slip and fall Tuesday, fracturing her hip. Mrs. Riedel is 88 years of age and the shock and pain are serious to one of her advanced years. Dr. Reiter is attending her.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 11, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

While chopping wood for the Boy Scouts last Tuesday afternoon, Jos. Fischer, Jr., had the misfortune to cut an artery in his left foot. Several stitches were taken to close the wound and consequently “Dode” was forced to take a vacation from his school duties at St. Mark’s.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

‘Pete’ Peterson Buys Auto Station

The Auto Fountain, a Direct Service station at 936 E. First St., has been purchased by Duane “Pete” Peterson, it was announced this week.

The station and garage, formerly owned by James Covington, specializes in servicing and washing of cars and will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Power Use Hits New Peak Here

New records in the consumption of electrical power and energy were set in Shakopee in 1950, records of R. S. Houts, city utilities superintendent, revealed this week.

Power retailing by the City of Shakopee is big business here as evidenced by the sales record of the city. Each year, for the past several years additional homebuilding, increased commercial activity and more industrial output has been reflected in the records of the city light department.

Shakopee continued to be a “very choice customer” of the huge, sprawling Northern States Power Company by purchasing 4,200,000 Kilowatt Hours of power. For this power, the city paid the power combine the neat sum of $56,224.20, the highest single year’s purchase in the city’s history…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Land purchased for soccer fields

While the Shakopee City Council knew the price tag would be high, the cost of land for a proposed soccer complex was deemed worth paying last week as it approved the purchase of two parcels that once produced simple row crops.

Last week the council agreed to purchase 14.88 acres for $877,000. Located near the campus of Sun Path Elementary School south of 17th Avenue, the parcels were purchased from two owners – 10 acres from Gene Hauer and 4.88 acres from Butch Ames…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

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…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

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…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

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…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.