Month: May 2021

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the June 4, 1896 Scott County Argus

A complaint, not annual at this time of year, is made by the ladies with high hope that the numerous shade trees which line the walks are not trimmed to a sufficient height. The exuberance of foliage this spring weighs down the overhanging boughs and this is especially noticeable after a rain. A little attention and a judicious use of the saw or pruning knife by each resident will state a nuisance and at the same time …. The trees.

100 Years Ago: From the June 2, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

The Shakopee police force is now equipped with printed traffic tags and violations of the traffic rules on our streets will be checked up by the cops. A white tag fastened to your car is a warning and a blue tag calls for appearance in municipal court.

75 Years Ago: From the May 30, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Junior Ball Tournament Slated Here

Legion Athletic Officers Select Shakopee for 3-Day District Meet

Shakopee was chosen as the site of the 1946 Third District Legion Junior Baseball tournament at a meeting of the post athletic officers at the Legion club here Monday night. The tourney is scheduled for July 19, 20 and 21…

50 Years Ago: From the June 2, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Knights of Columbus, St. Francis Plan Major Health Center

On Former Assumption Seminary Site

An impressive plan for a regional total health care center was unveiled Thursday by its co-sponsors, St. Francis Hospital of Shakopee and the Knights of Columbus.

Groundbreaking for the first phase of the project is scheduled for next spring.

To be called the Knights of Columbus Care Foundation, the Center will be located on the site formerly occupied by the Assumption Seminary, 120 acres of rolling, wooded acreage directly across the Minnesota River from Shakopee.

The Care Foundation would be a separate Foundation, formed by St. Francis Hospital and by the Marian Council of the Knights of Columbus, but would include board members from the public…

25 Years Ago: From the May 30, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

68%, 61% pass state math, reading tests

This year’s 8^th graders must pass to graduate in year 2000

In its first-ever report on the state Department of Children, Families and Learning’s basic requirement tests, 61 percent of Shakopee’s eighth-graders passed the basic reading test, and 68 percent passed the math test. This equals about 123 students passing reading, and about 137 passing math. Approximately 200 Shakopee eighth-graders took the test.

Starting with the class of 2000 – this year’s eighth-graders – students must demonstrate basic skills in reading and math before receiving a high school diploma. These basic tests are the first phase of Minnesota’s new graduation standards.

The tests were given in April, and scored by an independent firm hired by the state. Approximately 60,000 students across the state took the tests. They were required to get at least 70 percent of the questions right in order to pass. That would amount to getting at least 28 correct on the 40-question reading test, and at least 48 correct on the 68-question math test. Students were given 50 minutes for each test…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the May 28, 1896 Scott County Argus

The “Bierline” foundry building is being torn down, with a view to using the material in constructing some small dwelling houses. The Ess brothers recently purchased it and removed the machinery.

100 Years Ago: From the May 26, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Will Have Public Rest Room

Shakopee will soon have a Public Rest Room, as required by the new state law for fourth class cities and villages. The city council at its last meeting voted to take a few years lease on the M. J. Berens building next door to the Tribune office, which will be fitted up for a rest room with all the conveniences required for public comfort. This is the location formerly occupied by the Zrust jewelry store and is an ideal location in the mail business block.

75 Years Ago: From the May 23, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Vets Afforded Housing at NYA Site Near Here

Good news to house-hunting veterans in the announcement this week that Shakopee Post of the American Legion has leased from the state of Minnesota the former NYA property east of Shakopee and has made 11 housing units available to veterans of the World Wars.

Three of the units have already been rented and eight are now open. Included in those still available are four apartments and four cabins, it was learned. Veterans of World War II will be given priority.

Water and sewer facilities are in the apartments and electric service is afforded to each of the eight units…

50 Years Ago: From the May 26, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Referendum Required on NSP Franchise

Attorney General Opinion…

A long-awaited opinion from the Attorney General’s Office received this week was not exactly what the city had in mind when City Attorney Julius Coller asked for it.

The opinion from Attorney General Warren Spannaus stated that an ordinance passed by the city last July granting a franchise to Northern States Power to furnish the city and Rahr Malting electrical power is subject to a referendum by the city voters…

The matter was referred to the executive committee of the Council for study Tuesday night. The city could revoke the ordinance, put the question to the voters with a special ballot or at the next city election, it was indicated Tuesday…

25 Years Ago: From the May 23, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

School auditorium to be named in honor of longtime teacher Olson

The auditorium at Shakopee High School has been home to many a theatrical production.

So it seems most appropriate that the hall be named after someone who inspired students to get involved in drama, both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Based on the recommendations of a committee that was formed to name the auditorium, the Shakopee School Board Monday unanimously approved the naming of the auditorium in honor of Carl A. Olson. (Board member Jessica Geis was absent.)

Olson, 65, retired from the district in 1993 after 36 years of teaching. One of those years was spent as a seventh-grade teacher. In fall 1958, Olson went to the high school, where he remained for the rest of his career. He started out teaching English and American history, then taught English exclusively as of 1960. Besides being a classroom teacher, Olson was an assistant football coach, and director of 58 drama productions…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the May 21, 1896 Scott County Argus

John Mertz commenced business in his new quarters in the Kohls & Berens block yesterday. The place has been thoroughly renovated and presents a neat appearance.

100 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Our new chief of police is now walking his beat in a fine regulation cop’s uniform. He looks about seven feet tall and ought to command a healthy respect to the law by his appearance alone.

75 Years Ago: From the May 16, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Transformer Break Plunges Streets Into Darkness Here

Breakdown of the transformer serving the street lighting circuit here plunged the streets of the outlying residential sections of the city into darkness Monday night.

A total of 128 street lights are effected by the break R. C. Condon, city electrician, said. Effort to secure a replacement has been unsuccessful and it is believed the recent lighting systems will not be in operation for several weeks. To avoid a recurrence and to improve the system a crew has already begun rebuilding the circuit.

Street and alley lights in the business section of the city are not affected, Condon said.

50 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Ponds and Spring Get Major Facelift

Shakopee’s Mill Pond area got a major renovation last weekend through the efforts of a small group of volunteers led by Shakopee Police Chief R. G. ‘Pat’ Thielen.

At the most recent City Council meeting Thielen asked for and received permission for the task of cleaning the two holding ponds and spring area which feed the Mill Pond.

In recent years, he explained, they have become clogged with vegetation and the walls of the terraced ponds were broken by fishermen who wanted to drain the water so fish would be easier to hook.

Huge tree stumps, roots and all, were jerked from the ponds, banks were cleared of brush, and great piles of trash were eradicated from the area…

When the water level rose after the pond walls were repaired, the ponds cleared, and the water coursing into the main Mill Pond was cold and crystal again…

25 Years Ago: From the May 16, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Motorcycle firm interested in city

The Shakopee City Council, after meeting Tuesday will officials from Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing, directed staff to examine the firm’s request for $6.5 million in general obligation tax increment bond funding by the city…

Excelsior-Henderson is seeking a site for construction of a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. The plant would employ about 125 people its first year of production and about 400 during its second year, according to Dan Benton, the company’s co-founder.

The firm is not yet producing motorcycles, but plans to reveal its prototype at Sturgis, S.D., in August. It is fashioned after the SuperX model produced by the original Excelsior-Henderson company in the 1920s. Under the requested financing, Shakopee would sell general obligation bonds, which would be paid back with captured tax increment funds (TIF). In the even TIF funds become unavailable, payments for the bonds would come from the city’s general fund.

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the May 14, 1896 Scott County Argus

Street overseer Sarasen has been doing a lot of effective work of late. Over a hundred big boulders have been removed from the streets and dumped along the drive to the City Brick yard, and the road from Lallak’s to the town line has been built up with rock and gravel. The road lying in front of J. A. Wilder’s residence will next receive attention.

100 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

A business deal was made the first of the week in which H. W. Oradson and H. P. Johnson, proprietors of the Shakopee Tire Co., purchased the garage business of J. A. Kopisca. They will move the tire shop to the Kopisca location where they will combine the two enterprises and operate both a garage and tire repair shop. These boys are hustling young business men and will make a success of their enlarged undertaking. Mr. Kopisca will devote his time to looking after the oil business here.

75 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

County Has Woman Officer

Miss Barbara Meyer Is Named County Treasurer at Board Meeting

For the second time in its history Scott county has a woman officer. This time it is Miss Barbara Meyer, former deputy, who has been named county treasurer to complete the unexpired term of the late H. R. Grosser whose death he entered at his home here last Wednesday.

Preceding Miss Meyer in the distinction she now holds was Mrs. Joseph R. Witt, who in 1880 succeeded her husband as clerk of court from October to the end of December when Mr. Witt was a candidate for state office…

Previous to becoming deputy treasurer several years ago she had served as deputy registrar of deeds.

50 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee’s Charter Hurdles Senate Committee Saturday

Shakopee’s Special Act charter advanced another step Saturday, May 8, when members of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee voted to approve it and sent it to the Senate.

The charter, which has passed through the house, was introduced to the senate committee by Senator John Metcalf. Approximately 12 people from Shakopee attended the hearing Saturday. Two opponents of the charter, Martin Walsh City Assessor and secretary of the Utilities Commission, and Lee Monnens, Utilities Superintendent, were heard by the Committee Saturday. According to Dr. B. F. Pearson, president of the charter commission, the Committee felt Walsh’s and Monnen’s arguments were of a local nature and voted to approve the charter on a motion made by Senator Metcalf…

Dr. Pearson said that the bill with Shakopee’s Charter will now come before the Senate for a vote and he sees no problem in getting it passed.

After passing the Senate, the charter will be brought back to Shakopee and voted upon by the people.

Dr. Pearson indicated that no action on putting the charter up for a vote would be taken before the results of the Shakopee-Eagle Creek merger was known…

25 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

County Road 18 project apparently gets green light

Litigation halted expansion

The litigation-ridden County Road 18 project appears to be ready to move ahead this summer. County officials this week received a long-awaited interpretation of state statutes by two Minnesota agencies.

The commissioners for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have concluded that Scott County has demonstrated that it will “employ all reasonably available noise mitigation measures to abate traffic-generated noise” in the project…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the May 7, 1896 Scott County Argus

John Kintzie is making a valuable improvement on his home at Fillmore and Fourth streets. The entire house has been raised two feet, and to this is being added a one story frame ell 16×20 feet in dimensions, to correspond with the main part. G. Niedenfuehr is wielding the saw and hammer.

100 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Gem Theater Will Add Second Machine

Manager L. E. Dawson of the Gem theater has made a very progressive move in the purchase of another projection machine. He will enlarge the projection booth and install the second machine at once, a step that will be greatly appreciated by Gem patrons because it will eliminate breaks between reels in the showing of pictures. With two projection machines in use one is ‘loaded’ while the other is running and when one machine is empty the other is instantly switched on. Advertising slides will be shown only before and between shows.

75 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City To Have $50,000 Bond Election Soon

That the matter of a $50,000 bond issue will likely be presented to the voters of the city in a special election sometime soon is indicated in the Council Proceedings published in the Argus-Tribune today.

The disclosure is in a motion by Alderman Howard Heller instructing the city attorney to “draw the necessary papers for a bond issue to be voted on at a special election.”

According to the motion revenue from the sale of city bonds would be used for “tarvis, sewer, water, grading and the purchase of a new fire truck.”

The council will meet again May 7. Date for the bond vote is expected to be set at that time.

50 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

County Adopts $649,919 Budget

$20,000 Committed to Sheriff’s Radio…

The 1971 Scott County budget was officially adopted by the Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning, culminating 4 months of hacking and slashing in order to avoid a deficit.

When all the dollars and cents had settled, Commissioners had cut departmental requests by $50,500, ending up with a figure of $649,919.47 for general county fund operations.

Estimated revenue is $584,392.06, meaning that $54,752.59 is not budgeted. Commissioners shied away from the word “surplus” regarding the $54,000, however. Commissioner Tony Worm said the term “surplus” is not accurate if the amount cut from requests is considered.

He moved to earmark most of the unbudgeted funds for improvements to the county sheriff’s radio system, which he said has been trimmed out of budget requests for the past three years…

Worm said the radio facilities of the sheriff is now approaching the critical stage, since a transmitting station in Carver County being used to reach low parts of the county has been declared illegal by the Federal Communications Commission.

Commissioners committed $20,000 of the unbudgeted funds to the radio, and now have $34,000 between themselves and a deficit operation for 1971.

25 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Two fires at Valleyfair

Shakopee firefighters responded to two separate fires April 23 and 24 about five hours apart at Valleyfair. Firefighters were called at 7:31 p.m. April 23 after a passing motorist noticed flames at the amusement park. That fire …was on the roof of a new food building. … Firefighters were called again at 12:16 a.m. April 24 by a security guard when a fire broke out in a building used for painting. The fire likely began from something hot being put into a trash receptacle…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the April 30, 1896 Scott County Argus

Fred Rohlfs, of the firm of Aug. Woehling & Co., has had his residence, opposite Wm. Cole’s, furnished throughout, and Dame Rumor has it that a Mr. and Mrs. Rohlfs will occupy it before the end of the week. The young lady interested is Miss Lizzie Kressen, a sister to Mrs. Woehling.

100 Years Ago: From the April 28, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Local Citizen Had a Narrow Escape

Jos N. Conter, well known citizen of Shakopee, had a very narrow escape from death last Friday noon when he was struck by a switch engine while crossing the Omaha tracks at the Dierberger corner. Mr. Conter, who is a cripple and quite hard of hearing, was just crossing the track when the engine bore down upon him. He managed to get across but not clear of danger and he was struck a glaring blow on the head by the engine and knocked down. Luckily he was not seriously injured but he did get a cut on his check and was quite badly shaken up. Dr. Buck was called and took him home and dressed his injuries. Outside of being lame and stiff he has been getting along well since. Mr. Conter is a well liked man and everybody is glad he came out so lucky.

75 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Newly Constructed Garage Opened Here Last Week

Under construction for the past few months the newly completed garage addition to the Metcalf Service station here opened last week.

The new structure includes a repair and service section, stock room and spacious display room. Modern equipment has been installed and more tools and machinery will be added as they become available, J. A. Metcalf, owner, said.

50 Years Ago: From the April 28, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Master Plan Approved, Park Work Authorized

A Master Plan for a community park on the former reformatory land south of the Shakopee Swimming Pool was accepted by the City Council Tuesday night, and approval of the second phase of planning work was given.

The council authorized expenditures of $400 for a drainage and grading plan for athletic fields, and $740 for grading and landscaping plans for the development of a park and picnic area to be developed by the Shakopee Lion’s Club…

The Master Plan, presented by landscape designer Derrick Young of the Amenity One planning firm, is now complete, and includes an indoor recreational building near the present swimming pool, a park and picnic area of 10 acres to the south, a “natural area” of ponding and sliding hills.

On the west side of County Road 15, an athletic field complex is shown…

25 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Moving one downtown building would be costly, EDA learns

It would cost over $1 million to move and refurbish just one building in downtown Blocks 3 and 4 – and removing hazardous materials would likely inflate the price by thousands of additional dollars.

The Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) on April 16 reviewed the results of a consultant’s study that evaluated three scenarios for the property at 213 First Ave., a building in Blocks 3 and 4 that the city owns. The building is now an antique shop but was originally built in the late 1800s. The study considered the options of complete demolition, rehabilitation at its existing site and rehabilitation after relocation…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the April 23, 1896 Scott County Argus

The Shakopee creamery will commence operations on Tuesday, May 5th, following upon fair day. By that time it is hoped to have the plant complete and ready to turn out butter that shall make the institution and the town itself famous wherever good golden butter is appreciated. Negotiations have been entered into with John Geiser of Chanhassen to operate a skim station there, and the matter is likely to be brought to a successful issue. The management may find it possible to establish a station at Prior Lake also. However that may be, the farmer living within a few miles of Shakopee and owning as many cows as he ought to own is in luck.

100 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

The new lights at the entrance of the Jos. Ring Inn are attracting considerable attention. The large white globes on the columns at the drives present a very pleasing effect. The lights were installed by George Scherkenbach.

75 Years Ago: From the April 18, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

School Bond Issue Fails in Big Vote

Residents Ballot 161 For, 551 Against $294,000 Funding Proposition.

By a vote of 551 to 161 residents of Independent School District No. 1 turned down the proposed $294,000 bond issue in a special election here Monday. The total registered vote of 713 fell five short of the all-time high of 718 ballots recorded in 1932…

Meeting informally after the ballots had been tabulated the board reviewed the school situation and weighed the problems confronting it.

Foremost among the problems, it appeared, is need of repair in many sections of the building; the matter of accommodating increased enrollment and the question of what to do about the non-resident pupils.

Despite the failure of the bond issue, the board realizes, it has the responsibility of finding the solution as to a difficult situation. What will be the ultimate answer is not yet known…

50 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

The Shakopee American Legion Club received an estimated $30,000 damages last Thursday afternoon, April 15, when fire gutted the bar and kitchen section of the building. The blaze, which is believed to have started in the furnace room by electrical wires, was noticed by a woman in the kitchen when the lights went out. Shakopee Fire Department labored for two hours to extinguish the blaze and were assisted by the Chaska Fire Department. The bar section of the Club received extensive fire, smoke and water damage and will not be ready for use for a period of time but the rear section was scheduled to re-open this week.

25 Years Ago: From the April 18, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee to be field trip subject

“The History and Archaeology of Shakopee” is the subject of a field trip planned this month in conjunction with Minnesota Archaeology Week (MAW) from April 26 to May 5.

Weather permitting, the field trip begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, at Memorial Park on the east side of Shakopee. The free event, led by Richard Williams from the Minnesota Historical Society and Kim Brunkey of IMA Consulting Inc., will explore the early European and Mdewakanton Dakota settlement of the Village of Shakopee. Explanation of historic documents and oral histories, as well as discussions of the numerous archaeological investigations in the area are planned…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the April 16, 1896 Scott County Argus

The new residence which is rising rapidly on the site of the old Koerner house under the saws and hammers of Schneider & Kreuser, has assumed its shape, and the roof is now going on. The building is a frame 16×24, a story and a half high, with an ell 16×24 feet in size. It will add much to the appearance of that part of the city.

100 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Sisters Home To Be Built At Marystown

Excavation was begun on Monday for the building of a new Sisters home at Marystown. The building is to be a frame structure of ten or eleven rooms and is to be completed by Aug. 15 about which time the sisters will arrive to take charge of the parochial school.

75 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Building Two New Prefabs

Two models of permanent prefabricated houses designed to meet the standards set by the federal government and destined to contribute to the alleviation of the nation’s housing shortage are now under development at the Page and Hill plant here it was learned last week.

To be provided chiefly for war veterans one of the houses will embody a combination kitchen and dining room, a combined bedroom and living room, and bath; the other is styled with four rooms and bath…

50 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Schools Seen Critically Short of Space by 73-74 School Year

Bond Issue Recommended for Next Year

Shakopee’s school space situation foreseen by the 1973-74 school year was described as “critical” by members of the District 720 school board’s building committee Monday night as they recommended that approval of a school bond issue should be asked of school district voters in 1972…

Overcrowding is most evident now in the two Shakopee elementary schools, which are both full. Next year Elementary classes will be held again in the Junior High building, as well as six or seven classrooms in the Senior High Building.

Alternatives placed before board members Monday night included the construction of a new Junior High School Building, with the present building becoming an elementary school, or additions to both elementary schools and the Junior High…

Other alternatives suggested for board consideration Monday night included an extended school year for the elementary classes, kindergarten through sixth grade. Even if such a system were instituted as an interim measure, it would still require an addition to Junior High facilities…

25 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Handicap-accessibility to Community Center track to be studied

Prompted by inquiries from residents, the Shakopee City Council is wrestling with the question of handicap-accessibility to the walking track at the Community Center. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessibility in most public buildings.

The walking track, which circles above the facility’s gymnasium, is accessible only by a flight of stairs. Assistant City Administrator Barry Stock told the council in March that the decision not to provide access was “a conscious decision by the project architect and the design review team.”… At the time the Community Center was being planned, the architect and design team believed that the perimeter of the gymnasium floor, which is accessible by elevator, provided a “like activity,” Stock said. The track was built so that major alterations would not need to be done should a wheelchair lift be eventually put in, Stock said…