Month: January 2023

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 3, 1898 Scott County Argus

The foundry of the Minnesota Stove company started up full force, Tuesday morning, after a month’s rest, pending the arrival of some new patterns for their 1898 heaters. The company is covering its field well, as is evidenced by the high grade cook stoves and ranges now being manufactured, as well as the cool heater, the “Imperial Coral,” which ranks with the very highest grade products of eastern makers. With the addition of some handsome wood heaters this year the “Coral” line will be as nearly complete as the firm or its patrons could wish. There are few business enterprises of its size in the state that have enjoyed prosperity in so steady a stream during the past two years as has the Minnesota Stove company.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

W. E. Redman of this city, together with his brother, E. W. Redman of Anoka purchased one-half interest in the Red Wing Creamery Co. at Red Wing. The creamery will be capitalized at $50,000. Mr. Redman’s brother will take charge of the creamery as manager.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 29, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

New Industry May Locate Here

Possibility of another new industry locating in Shakopee was given credence this week when Waterville firm negotiated for the rental of floor space in the center portion of the warehouse on the old mill property on North Lewis street.

A roofing, furnace and sheet metal business operated by Chanell and Stanton Anderson the industry is expected to get into operation as soon as adequate heating facilities can be put in operation, it was learned.

Specializing in roofing work the Andersons also are sales representatives for the Lennox Furniture company. Their sheet metal work is incidental to their roofing and furnace installation business.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 31, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

1120 Acre Reserve Area Holds Promise for Hikers, Nature Observer, Campers

Although the Hennepin County Park Reserve District has held a large area in northeastern Shakopee since 1969, development and planning has not yet taken place.

The plans for the Blue-Fisher Lake Reserve will probably get onto the District’s drawing boards this year. District officials explained that the planning, and any development, has been held back by moratoriums over the precise location of the Highway 18-169 Bridge, the firming up of the Minnesota River Trail plans through the Reserve, and the ongoing work of the Blue Lake Sewer Treatment plant.

The Blue Lake-Fisher area of Shakopee, existing today much as it must have a century or more ago, encompasses 1,100 acres, including the nearby lakes, Blue and Fisher. The area serves as habitat for deer, … and water fowl, along with many marsh animals such as egrets and muskrats…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 29, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Site near hospital being considered for school

Plans for a new elementary school in Shakopee are progressing this week, as the school district continues negotiations for a parcel of land near St. Francis Regional Medical Center.

Superintendent Bob Ostlund announced during Monday’s School Board meeting that the district is focusing its efforts on a 20-acre site east of the hospital, and is discussing a purchase price with property owners Gary and Greg Kerkow…

Among its pluses, the site is centrally located within the district in a rapidly developing area, Ostlund said. He noted there isn’t a lot of high-speed traffic, and the lot has access to city sewer and water…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1898 Scott County Argus

John McMullen has put up a warehouse 16×28 feet in size, on his lot adjoining J. A. Wilder’s lumber yard. It will be for use in connection with his agricultural implement trade. Wm. Beggs had the contract for the building.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

State Reformatory to Celebrate Third Anniversary

February second, the State Reformatory for Women will celebrate its third anniversary. At 2:30 p.m. a musical program will be given, after which guests will be shown through the buildings. All women who are interested in the work of the Reformatory are invited to attend.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 22, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

School Plans Near Completion

That architectural details and plans for Shakopee’s new public school have neared completion was indicated this week with the disclosure that the mass of drawings and data are now before the state department of education for examination.

Further indication of the progress was seen in the visit of structural engineers who were on the school site Saturday taking readings and soil samples. Reports of laboratory analysis of the soil will be made a part of the vast array of detail material compiled by the architects in conjunction with the preparation of building plans, it was learned.

How soon the completed plans would be presented to the board of education and representatives of the Shakopee Commercial club for examination could not be determined.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 24, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Memorial Park Turnover to Historical Society Gets First Council Reading

First reading of an ordinance which would convey Shakopee’s 120-acre Memorial Park to Scott County Historical Society was held Tuesday night, … no adverse comment from the public.

Prior to its … reading and the council decision on whether to turn the property over to the society, councilmen will consider the ordinance further at a joint committee meeting February 8.

The Shakopee Planning Commission, by a majority vote, has indicated their approval of the proposed turnover of the land to the Society as the best use of the area.

The park area would extend the Society’s property from its restoration site along Highway 101 up to the edge of the commercially developed area of the city.

The Society plans to construct a $1.5 million museum at the western edge of the present park. Use of the area as a picnic ground for Shakopee residents would continue until Society development extends through the picnic area. At that time, the society would construct another picnic shelter area for residents near the Millpond.

City Attorney Julius Coller said the ordinance, if adopted, would be subject to a referendum petition as are all ordinances, but as yet the proposed conveyance of the land has caused no open opposition.

Under the proposed agreement, Shakopee citizens would be afforded preferential treatment in the access to and use of society facilities…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 22, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Crossroads Center breaks ground

Ground was broken Jan. 14 for Shakopee Crossroads Center, a retail development that will include a Cub Foods grocery store on Marschall Road and Highway 169…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1898 Scott County Argus

The residence of Julius A. Coller narrowly escaped serious damage by fire Saturday. While the family was at breakfast a jar in which Mrs. Coller was burning cigar stubs for the house plants in the bedroom upstairs cracked open and lighted stubs set fire to the building. When discovered the fire had burned through to the floor. The bedstead is of iron, and this, coupled with the closed room, kept the fire from gaining serious headway. The outcome was a lucky one.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Miss Elizabeth Schell to Fill Post Office Vacancy

Miss Elizabeth Schell this week received the appointment to fill the vacancy at the local Post Office.

Examinations for the position were conducted here the fore part of December when thirteen applicants took the examinations. Miss Schell is to be congratulated upon her success in receiving the appointment.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 15, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Baseball Lights Get New Boost

A united effort to provide lights and improved facilities for Shakopee’s baseball park in time for the coming season got under way Monday night with the naming of a committee composed of representatives of local civic, fraternal and veterans organizations to proceed with the formation of a non-profit corporation to finance the $15,000 project.

The committee was appointed by Harold Bigot, president of the Shakopee baseball association who had called the meeting after requesting local organizations to name representatives to attend the session…

It was the consensus of opinion expressed by the more than 75 men at the Monday session, that the financing plan should provide for the issuance of non-interest bearing bonds in $10 denominations to be sold to local investors interested in promoting baseball in the community…

In addition to the installation of lights to meet the popular demand for night baseball, leaders in the project have under consideration the enlargement of existing facilities, erection of a permanent and more spacious concession stand, improved shower and dressing rooms, and toilet facilities. These improvements, it was pointed out, are contemplated in the overall estimate of $15,000 necessary to do the job.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 17, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

School Board Rejects Inmate Work Program

A request from the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women in Shakopee to place selected inmates in a work program in the Shakopee schools was rejected by board members Monday night.

The concept, described by Supt. Robert Mayer as being “probably unique in the nation if adopted,” had been tabled for further study in December, when it was first brought to the board by Roger Eastman, coordinator of education programs at the institution.

Eastman’s proposal to the board was to place volunteer inmates selected through a classification committee, in clerical jobs at the high school, serving as both vocational training and as a social rehabilitation…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 15, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Expansion of Shakopee prison proposed

A swelling in the population of female prison inmates will prompt state officials to seek bonding for a $7 million expansion of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee…

The DOC is proposing construction of a 124-bed unit to meet the needs of 366 female inmates projected to be incarcerated by 2006…

Construction would begin in 1999, with completion set for July 2000…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1898 Scott County Argus

The committee on church debt liquidation, of the German Lutheran church, reported at a recent meeting that $300 have been cancelled in the past two years, and that the balance of $200 will, they trust, be cancelled by April 1, 1898. All voting members are taxed 25 cents monthly for this fund.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

League of Women Voters Held Interesting Meeting

Perhaps the largest and most interesting meeting in the history of the local League of Women Voters was held at the Public Rest rooms last Friday afternoon.

The question “Are our dances what they should be?” was discussed from different points of view. Barn dances and pavilion dances were also discussed.

Rev. Dean M. Savs gave a most interesting talk on the subject. He denounced public pavilion dances and barn dances.

Mayor Mergens gave a fine talk on the difficulties of the problem at the present time.

A large number of names were added to the list of members and the meeting proved very interesting from every standpoint.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

For Free!

Leo Robeck, Red Owl store owner, stepped out the back door of his store Saturday morning expecting to bring in a package containing a hundred pounds of beef which he had placed beside the door late Friday to freeze. The meat was gone, some one having “lifted” it during the night. Leo being the kid of fellow he is, came up with an offer to grind the meat into hamburger if the party who took it will bring it in – and no extra charge.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Council Gives Its Approval to Rezoning for Medical Center

A clean bill of health was given to a rezoning for a proposed Medical Center in Shakopee by the city council Tuesday night.

The action paved the way for the construction of a 7,000 square foot clinic proposed by Drs. Donald Abrams, Anthony Spagnolo, Joseph Keenan and Donald Lynch…

The rezoning was a difficult question for councilmen, as they had recently rejected a similar request for a shopping center near the site of the proposed clinic, to be both west of County Road 17 and south of Shakopee Avenue.

The original request by the doctors was the rezoning of a 9 acre parcel they had purchased. The request was later reduced to a rezoning to business use for only three of the nine acres…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Retail center to break ground

Cub Foods included in Oppidan development in city

Crossroads Center, a $12 million, 200,000 square-foot retail development project in Shakopee … will include a Cub Foods store, will be commenced Jan. 14 during ground breaking ceremonies.

The retail center, which will be located west of Marschall Road and south of Vierling Drive, will also include a Norwest Bank, SuperAmerica station, Edina Realty, Blockbuster Video, True Value Hardware store and a Crossroads Liquor store…