Month: February 2023

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

The Masonic hall will be lighted by acetylene gas, supplied from Deutsch & Zettel’s big new generator which will replace their smaller one this week.

100 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Manager Dawson Offers Children Free Feature

L. E. Dawson, manager of the Gem Theater, will initiate a new and novel feature next Saturday afternoon at his matinee, when he will admit each child bringing a fresh egg, free to the matinee performance.

The offering at this matinee which will start at 3 P. M. will be the photo-play “Good Men and True,” featuring Harry Carey. The picture will be especially enjoyed by children.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Announcement of New Business Opening Feb. 28

In an advertisement in the Argus-Tribune today F. P. O’Connor, who recently purchased the Dr. Reiter property on West First street, announces the opening of a new business to be known as the “House of Bargains.”

The opening has been set for Saturday, Feb. 28 by which time the owner hopes to have much of his large stock of unclaimed freight on display.

For the past two weeks the building has been undergoing remodelling and repair in preparation for the opening, and it appeared certain early this week that everything would be in readiness by Saturday.

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 28, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Developers Seek Approval for Large Shopping Center in Jackson Township

A Minneapolis development corporation has relocated the proposed site for a community shopping center following negative reaction by city officials to initial proposals.

Gene Foudray, chairman of the Shakopee Planning Commission, disclosed at Thursday’s commission meeting that representatives of Midway Development Corp. have indicated the shopping center is now being planned for 30 acres of a 183-acre tract of land southwest of downtown Shakopee. The property is in Jackson Township, surrounding and immediately south of the present location of Jack’s Truck stop on Highway 169.

Foudray said that in addition to the shopping center, developers also plan for the area an 80-unit motel, 10-lane bowling alley, restaurant and lounge, and movie theater…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Students take part in mentor program

Several local fourth-graders were selected to participate in a series of mentoring sessions over the past week as part of an elementary leadership training program.

Fourth-graders who have shown an interest in leadership roles applied to participate, and were paired with community leaders such as Scott County Sheriff Bill Nevin, Shakopee Police Chief Tom Steininger, Shakopee City Administrator Mark McNeill, and Shakopee School Superintendent Bob Ostlund…

The program is designed to help students nurture their leadership skills by interacting with, and researching the duties of, local officials. Pairs of students take turns asking each leader questions…

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 24, 1898 Scott County Argus

Miss Tormey treated her pupils to a sleighride last Friday evening, and a jolly party it was that went laughing, singing and hurrahing about town.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Scott County Red Cross Renders Splendid Service

Shipments of clothing sent through the Red Cross organization of Scott County, for the relief of the suffering in Europe and Asia, were donated by the following societies and a large part of the shipment were new garments.

St. Mary’s Sewing Circle, Shakopee, 101 garments; Jordan League of Women Voters with some help from Belle Plaine, 88 garments; Prior Lake Presbyterian Aid Society, 129 garments; Shakopee Presbyterian Aid Society, 150 garments, making a total of 468 garments…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

PTA Views Plans for New School

Adoption of the by laws and a thorough discussion of the proposed new school plans afforded an interesting evening for the first meeting of the newly formed Parent and Teachers association at the high school here Monday night…

Hubert H. Swanson, member of the Lang and Thorshov architectural firm who prepared the school plans, gave a detailed explanation of the contemplated structure and answered a barrage of questions. Inquiry concerning costs brought the disclosure that estimates, based on current prices, place the cost of building the new structure now at $347,000. The bond issue voted by the district some months ago totaled $254,000.

It was pointed out by Mr. Swanson and Superintendent Al N. Wurst that the cost could be reduced by eliminating some of the minor improvements contemplated in the plans, but it was made clear that that step would not be taken until actual bids on the job afforded the board of education a true picture of the possible cost. Calling for bids, it was stressed, does not mean that construction is planned for an early date…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 21, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Ground Breaking Ceremonies Held for New Shakopee Medical Center

Construction has begun on the new Shakopee Medical Center at a site located on the corner of an extension of 10th Avenue and County Road 17 in Shakopee.

The one-story, residential style brick building will have approximately 11,000 square feet of space, and will house complete diagnostic, x-ray, and laboratory facilities.

It will include minor surgery and emergency treatment rooms in addition to patient examination rooms and offices for doctors affiliated with the Center.

According to project construction manager Norbert Zurkowski, the structure will be complete in mid-August. The design and construction of the Shakopee Medical Center is being done by American Medical Building Guild of Madison, Wis…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Local bypass wins awards

An innovative approach to building concrete highways earned state and national recognition throughout 1997 for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Highway 169 construction project in Shakopee.

After being named the state winner for best project by the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota and Minnesota Quality Initiative, the project, completed in 1996, was named a finalist in the American Concrete Pavement Association and the National Quality Initiative Achievement Award national competition. In addition, the project was awarded the Governor’s Commendation by Partnership Minnesota, an organization established to encourage intergovernmental cooperation.

The roadway skirts south of downtown Shakopee and connects to the new Bloomington Ferry Bridge and County Road in Savage. The bypass was one of the first projects built using new MnDOT quality control and quality assurance standards…

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 17, 1898 Scott County Argus

Either our hardware merchants are anticipating a building boom this spring or they have been getting in on the ground floor before the raise in the price of wire nails and fencing. Yesterday G. S. Lander received a carload of these goods, containing 160 kegs of nails and 140 bales of barbed wire fencing. A day or two earlier Joh McMullen received a shipment as large as this, and Mr. Gellenbeck has followed suit with a third load.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Local Business Transfer Effected During Past Week

A business transfer of local interest was effected the past week when Henry Mergens sold his Sheet Metal, Plumbing and Heating business to L. Neubeiser of Belle Plaine. The latter is to take possession March 1^st…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Reiter Property Site for New Business Here

Establishment of another new business in Shakopee was disclosed this week with the announcement that F. P. O’Connor, Minneapolis, had purchased the former Dr. H. W. Reiter property at the corner of First and Fuller streets.

According to Mr. O’Connor he will be associated with Tom Ford at Waconia in the operation of a store to be known as the “House of Bargains” specializing in unclaimed freight…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 14, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Building Moratorium Suggested Until Shakopee Gets Overall Plan

The Shakopee Planning Commission Thursday changed its previous position favoring construction of a “community” shopping center, tabling the proposal until a comprehensive zoning plan for the city is completed, a process which city officials predict will take at least a year.

The decision could mean a moratorium on construction within city limits during that period, Gene Foudray, commission chairman, said…

Proposed for a 13.5 acre tract of land between County Road 17 and a future extension of 10^th Avenue, the shopping center was given unanimous Planning Commission approval in the form of a recommendation that the Common Council change of the property’s zoning from residential to commercial. At that meeting only two local residents appeared in opposition to the project.

Following the receipt of a 53-signature petition opposing the center from residents of the nearby Scenic Heights housing addition, and letter of opposition from First Presbyterian Church and Shakopee School District 720, the Common Council and Planning Commission met jointly November 7, decided to seek the advice of a planning firm on the advisability of the rezoning request. At its Nov. 28 meeting the Council denied rezoning upon the planners’ recommendation that the request be either denied or tabled until completion of a new comprehensive zoning plan for the city…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

City OKs study on Scout barn move

Last year, the city of Shakopee was informed that the state Department of Corrections plans to expand the women’s correctional facility in Shakopee in 1999, and because of that the popular Boy Scouts Barn on the property will need to be moved…

At the Feb. 3 City Council meeting, Denny Roske, a former Scout leader and the president of the Shakopee Lions Club, and Assistant Scout Master Mike Huber informed councilors of possible sites for the barn…

The council voted to hire an architect to do a feasibility study, not to exceed $7,000, on moving the barn to Lions Park…It also directed staff to analyze the lease which the Scouts have with the state. The Scouts take care of the building and pay the insurance.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 10, 1898 Scott County Argus

L. Schaefer’s jewelry store is neater and more attractive than ever since the addition of a handsome oak wall case wherein to exhibit his stock of silverware. The case stands nearly eight feet high, is ten feet long, and has three plate glass panel doors in front. The shelving and interior throughout are lined in black, which forms a striking setting for the silverware. The lower part of the case is given up to six drawers. With the rest of the store furnished in oak, the whole presents an artistic appearance, and reflets credit on the good taste of Mr. Schaefer.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The James Casey family are now domiciled in their new home on First St. The house was completed recently and the family moved into it last week.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 5, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Reopens Meat and Grocery Store

In an announcement in the Argus-Tribune today Mrs. Ben Schoenecker announces the reopening of the Schoenecker meat market and grocery on West First street…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 7, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Group Asks Okay to Operate New Bank in Shakopee

Application has been made to the Minnesota Commerce Commission for authorization to operate a state bank in Shakopee.

Hearing on the application will be held before the commission Tuesday, March 13 at 9 a.m., in that body’s offices in the State Office building in St. Paul.

Applicants are James Fredy and Cletus Link of Shakopee, along with Charles Cornell, Jr., and Arthur F. Rossberg. Cornell and Rossberg are associated with the Fidelity State Banks of the metropolitan area and in New Prague.

The proposed bank would be located at 470 East First Avenue in Shakopee and would be known as Western Fidelity State Bank of Shakopee.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 5, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Burnsville cop appointed city police chief

On a unanimous vote, the Shakopee City Council Tuesday night hired a Burnsville police captain as the city’s chief of police.

The council approved the hiring of Daniel Hughes on the recommendation of a panel of three it appointed to interview the three finalists. Other finalists were Shakopee Deputy Chief Gerald Poole and Maplewood police Captain David Thomalla. The three were recommended as finalist by the city’s Police Civil Service Commission. Mayor Jon Brekke, Councilor Jane DuBois and City Administrator Mark McNeill interviewed the three panelists and recommended Hughes to the council.

Hughes will replace Police Chief Tom Steininger, who will retire at the end of the month.