Month: April 2023

125 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1898 Scott County Argus

The Jacob Ries Bottling works have recently put out some handsome new bar signs of nickel having embossed lettering tipped with black enamel. The signs also bear a facsimile of a bottle of the famous “Rock Spring” table water artistically tinted and embossed.

100 Years Ago: From the May 3, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

P. G. Miller, proprietor of Miller’s Cafe, recently improved his place of business by putting a new front in his restaurant.

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

Bids Too High, School Building Plans Shelved

Shakopee’s plans for new and expanded public school facilities were temporarily shelved last Thursday night when the board of education rejected all bids for the proposed structure after it became apparent the school district was without sufficient funds to finance the structure under present conditions.

Lowest combination of bids for the general constructional, mechanical and electrical work received Thursday night totaled $418,331, more than $115,700 above the funds made available to the district in a $294,000 school bond issue 15 months ago…

Following the rejection of bids the board and representatives of the Long and Thorshov architectural firm went into session with members of the 20-man Commercial Club committee which has worked with the board in an effort to solve Shakopee’s public school problem.

During the discussion it was pointed out that rising material and labor costs were major factors contributing to the difficulty which the Shakopee school district and hundreds of others find themselves in as they contemplate the need for new and larger schools…

Definitely stopped for the present the group probed many angles as possible solutions to the “ways and means” of eventually providing the Shakopee high school area with the necessary educational facilities.

50 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

City Gives Final Approval to Agreement on Shopping Center

The Shakopee City Council gave its approval to a proposed agreement for construction of a new shopping center near the town at a special meeting held Tuesday night.

After the meeting spokesmen for both Midway Development Corporation and Jackson township said they were satisfied with the agreement and expected to follow the council’s action by formally signing also.

The action capped many weeks of discussion on the shopping center, and the developers indicated they would begin to finalize their planning immediately.

Site of the proposed center will be south of Shakopee, adjacent to the city limits in Jackson township near Highway 169…

25 Years Ago: From the April 30, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee considered for Supervalu Inc. warehouse

Shakopee could become home to another major retail distribution center.

Supervalu Inc. is considering the city for a 600,000 square foot warehouse and office complex, from which food and other grocery stores would be distributed throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area to company grocery stores, which include Cub Foods, County Market and Super Valu stores.

Eden Prairie-based Supervalu is considering sites in Shakopee and Hopkins for the warehouse, but the company said that a warehouse could be built in either or both sites.

The distribution center would employ more than 300 people full-time.

The proposed site in Shakopee is on 75 acres, located south of Fourth Avenue, and just west of County Road 83. The company has the option to buy the property. It includes a farmstead, two-story home, several small buildings and an airplane runway…

125 Years Ago: From the April 28, 1898 Scott County Argus

The Court House square has been stealing a march on Arbor day, and is now bordered by rows of young evergreens and dotted with mountain-ash, cut-leaf birch, hydrangeas and snowballs. The stock was purchased from the Jewell Nursery at Lake City, through their agent, D. H. Cole of Lakeville, and is warranted to grow. There are no less than a hundred evergreens set about twelve feet apart, in rows, and they will make a handsome ornament to the otherwise rather unattractive square. The hardy little shrubs are already eight years old, yet they stand only three feet high. Their growth from now on will be more rapid, and still it will take fifty years for them to reach their full size. The stock was ordered before war was declared, so it was decided to go on with the work of setting them out in the hope that the Spaniards will overlook them and that they may live on for twice fifty years to come.

100 Years Ago: From the April 26, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

M. C. Heinen, photographer arrived here from Minneapolis and has opened a studio in the Condon Block. Mr. Heinen has completed all arrangements and is ready to do all kinds of photography.

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

Wermerskirchen Buys Building in Lewis Street

Purchase of the corner section of the Charles Trost building at Lewis and Second street was disclosed this week by William Wermerskirchen who plans to move his dry cleaning and laundry from the Gillen building on Holmes street to the new location early in July.

Interior of the structure is to be remodelled to meet the needs of the cleaning plant and new machines are to be installed. Bulk of the equipment, Wermerskirchen said, will be in the basement.

The ground floor will provide space for new services, a tailor shop and office; and the second floor will be remodelled for occupancy as an apartment.

50 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

New Courthouse Concept Plans Now Under Way

Plans for a new county courthouse building moved forward this week as the Scott County Board of Commissioners agreed on the present courthouse complex site as the place for construction.

The commissioners also authorized the county administrator and architect to prepare some preliminary plans on space needs and division of assignments for various county agencies.

Providing that a referendum on the new building is successful this fall, the county has committed some $850,000 toward the project.

A total of $1.3 million in revenue sharing may be available for the new courthouse project although all of these funds have not yet been dedicated.

The county board has long felt the need for new courthouse facilities, and is doing preliminary work on the concept at this time.

125 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1898 Scott County Argus

An important change in the business circle was made last Friday, when Frank Buch’s lumber yard was sold to the St. Croix Lumber company, which firm will conduct the business as a branch yard in the future. It is understood that the yard will be under the management of Joseph Buch for a time at least.

100 Years Ago: From the April 19, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Ed Thiede Purchases the J. J. Schaefer Home

Ed J. Thiede purchased the J. J. Schaefer home on Lewis Street hill, Monday, April 16. The purchase included the house and all other buildings with a plot of ground 300 feet deep with 120 feet frontage on Lewis Street. Mr. Thiede will take possession about the 25^th of the month.

Mr. Schaefer retained 90×300 feet on the south side of the Thiede purchase on which he will build a new home, work to begin on same within three weeks.

The Schaefer family has rented the J. B. Heller home above Holmes Park and will make it their temporary residence until their new home is completed.

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

Starts Addition to Building Here

Clearing of the site and excavation for the footings upon which to erect a 56 by 94 foot addition to his building on West First street was begun this week by P. F. O’Connor, proprietor of the House of Bargains.

The new L-shaped structure which will attach to the present quarters on the south, extend along the alley and cover portion of the lot west of the building now used by O’Connor will provide for warehouse space and a shop. Truck entrances will be placed on the east side.

Future plans call for the construction of a display room and new front to be added to the north side facing on First street.

50 Years Ago: From the April 18, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

The Case Building on Shakopee’s main drag has a new storefront after work recently completed. Russ Case, manager at Case’s Mens Wear, said the newly redone front covers three attached stores. Plans are now in the works to fix up the stores’ rear entrance in a similar manner, according to Russ.

25 Years Ago: From the April 16, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Southbridge plat advances

The preliminary plat for a large residential development south of Highway 169, east of Dean Lake and west of County Road 18 was approved by the Shakopee City Council last week.

Southbridge First Addition (formerly East Dean Lake) would include 850 dwelling units in single-family residential lots and townhomes on 549 acres.

Applicants are Valley Green Business Park, the Minneapolis Foundation, and Shakopee Crossings Limited Partnership…

125 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1898 Scott County Argus

Street overseer Sarasen states that the work of repairing the trestle road is finished. For a distance of more than 600 feet it was necessary to build a new foundation of rock, which required the hauling of 185 loads of stone. The repairs are bound to be permanent, however, and the improvement is quite marked.

100 Years Ago: From the April 12, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Transient Arrested for Stealing Money

Last Monday while Jack Yardine of Eagle Creek was in the B. A. Mertz place, a magazine salesman, whose name we have not learned, grabbed a roll of money from him and ran out of the door up Second Street.

Chief of Police, J. H. Ring, was notified and followed him. When the magazine salesman saw the police officer coming, he threw the money over the fence of Linus Vierling’s place. This act was witnessed by two school boys who went to look for the money and upon finding some discovered the roll to contain $60.00.

Chief Ring captured the salesman on Second Street near Holmes Street and placed him under arrest. At this writing he is in the County jail awaiting trial.

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

Breaks Ground for New Building

Excavation work was completed this week for a 49 by 142 foot two-story garage and apartment building to be erected by Captain L. A. Ketterer on his property between the Anderson garage and the Shakopee Bakery on East First street here.

The concrete and brick-crete structure is to be fireproof throughout with concrete floors and ceilings being employed, Captain Ketterer said.

Pat of the 49-foot front will include the personal electric shop building and the first floor will provide for a garage repair shop, display room, stock room and office. The structure will extend north to attach to a warehouse already on the site…

Start of construction work and completion of the job, it was learned, depends upon the delivery of necessary material.

50 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Reformatory Works Toward New Roles

Officials of the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women of Shakopee see the upcoming establishment of a citizens advisory committee as a valuable aid to the rehabilitation of inmates.

The committee, proposed to a group of some 25 local residents at a recent meeting, is presently in the final planning stages, with selection of members, and initial plans to be made at a meeting April 29.

Conceived by D. Jacqueline Fleming, superintendent of the correctional institution, the committee’s general purpose will be to provide inmates with opportunities to work in the outside community: opportunities that the superintendent hopes will, in turn, improve the image that local citizens hold of the prison in their midst…

25 Years Ago: From the April 9, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

City sends help to tornado area

Like several other cities in the region, Shakopee sent a crew of workers and equipment to help the tornado-ravaged St. Peter area last week.

The city sent six workers last Friday. City Administrator Mark McNeill said the workers were paid for eight hours that day, but actually worked closer to 12 hours. On Saturday, six city workers volunteered their time and helped at the disaster site. The city also paid six workers for eight hours on Monday.

In addition, the city sent three dump trucks and three bobcats, equipment desperately needed by cleanup crews, said McNeill, who volunteered his time on Saturday…

125 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1898 Scott County Argus

The excavation for the new addition to the Jacob Ries Bottling Works plant will be completed this week and work on the superstructure will be begun at once and pushed to rapid completion.

100 Years Ago: From the April 5, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The fire department was called out Saturday forenoon at about eleven o’clock to extinguish a blaze which had started in the roof of the kitchen at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stelten. The fire evidently had started from a spark from the chimney and was put out in a short time. The damage done was comparatively small.

75 Years Ago: From the April 1, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Harness Shop to Discontinue

Mrs. D. H. Graycraft, who since the death of her husband a year ago has operated a harness shop in the Conter building at the corner of Second and Holmes street, disclosed this week that she is discontinuing business and is disposing of her entire stock.

The building, it was learned, has been sold to the Minnesota Valley Gas company who plans to remodel and improve the structure to serve its office and … needs here.

50 Years Ago: From the April 4, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Society Rejects City’s Park Transfer Offer; Opposition Still Active

The Shakopee City Council’s offer to transfer Memorial Park to the Scott County Historical Society was rejected last Friday night by the society’s board of directors.

Although the society had wanted the land adjacent to the Minnesota Valley Restoration Project for their own care and development, the council had attached conditions to the land transfer which the society could not accept…

25 Years Ago: From the April 2, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

School-start times harming children, board members told

Parents who blame later school start times for changes in their children’s learning habits brought their concerns to the Shakopee School Board Monday night.

It was standing-room only in the boardroom, prompting Board Chair Kathy Busch to set a 15-minute time limit on discussion of the issue, which wasn’t on the board’s lengthy agenda.

A half-dozen parents and representatives of a parent-teacher organization addressed the board, citing examples of the negative effects start times are having on young students at Sweeney and Pearson elementary schools…