Month: May 2023

125 Years Ago: From the June 2, 1898 Scott County Argus

Joseph Voelker will soon discontinue his saloon business, preparatory to removing to Chaska, where he will open a saloon about the middle of the month. He has another month left of his present license, but prefers to take a little rest before again entering business, and he will enjoy a trip to Seattle.

100 Years Ago: From the May 31, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Fire Damages Farm Home of Mrs. Nick Lenzmeier

The attractive farm home of Mrs. Nick Lenzmeier in Jackson township was quite badly damaged by fire last Thursday evening.

The fire was of an unknown origin and broke out in the attic at about seven o’clock Thursday evening and spread quickly. The Shakopee Fire Department was called and by their splendid efforts the blaze was soon under control. A call had also been given to the Chaska Fire Department, who promptly responded. However, the local fire fighters had the flames subdued before their arrival.

The total amount of the loss has not been determined at this time, but it is estimated that the loss will be quite heavy. The house as insured.

75 Years Ago: From the May 27, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Crossing Signals Going In

Preliminary work in the installation of the long-awaited new automatic block signals that will control north and south traffic over the Omaha tracks at the Lewis, Holmes and Fuller street crossings, and result in the closing of nine other crossings in East and West Shakopee, got under way here Monday.

A signal installation crew of five men headed by Edwin Kort, foreman, has begun the job of spotting the locations of equipment in conformity with plans as a first step in the project that is expected to take at least three months to complete.

Two Griswold automatic signals are to be installed at each of the three crossings designated, Kort disclosed. Each unit will employ bell, light and banner signal devices, all operating simultaneously as an approaching train closes an electric circuit and throws the mechanism into play…

50 Years Ago: From the May 29, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Meeting Set to Discuss School Day

The Board of Education, Independent School District No. 720, will hold a meeting in the auditorium of the Shakopee Senior High School on Monday, June 4, to discuss the length of the school day for Junior and Senior High School students for the 1973-74 school year. The meeting will commence at 6 p.m. and parents, students and all other interested parties are invited to attend.

The school district administrators have recommended that the school day for the senior high school start at 7:45 a.m. and that those students be released at noon. It was further recommended that the junior high school start at 12:45 p.m. and released at 5:20 p.m.

Some parents have expressed a desire to have the school day lengthened to a greater degree. Others have been satisfied with the length of the school day as it exists this year. Those attending the meeting will be provided with the opportunity to present statements supporting their wishes.

25 Years Ago: From the May 28, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Festivities planned for fire hall opening

The city of Shakopee’s second fire station is open for business, and the Fire Department will invite the public to celebrate with festivities including a parade and an open house.

The station, located on Vierling Drive just off County Road 16 on the city’s east side, will be the site of daylong festivities June 27.

125 Years Ago: From the May 26, 1898 Scott County Argus

A force of men is at work clearing away the debris on the site of the old Wampach factory on First street, preparatory to the erection of a dwelling house on the east lot. Mr. Buch states that he will start in by building a 7-room, solid brick house to rent for a moderate sum, and if the demand for houses for rent continues he will then put up another on the lot to the west. The proposed building will be neat and attractive in design, and will add another step to the many which that part of town has been taking in improvement of late.

100 Years Ago: From the May 24, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

High School Display in W. F. Davy’s Window

The manual training and domestic science classes of the local high school have a fine display of the year’s work in the window at the W. F. Davy & Co.’s store.

The numerous pieces of work completed by the pupils of these classes are well worthy of notice and reflect credit upon the classes and instructors.

75 Years Ago: From the May 20, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee Gets Tourney

Shakopee was awarded the 1948 state amateur baseball tournament at a meeting of the Minnesota association of amateur leagues held in the Frederic hotel, St. Paul, Tuesday night, and is making the choice the association officers returned the event to the city that, in 1918, proved the state tourney could be a success if held outside the twin cities…

50 Years Ago: From the May 22, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

County Commissioners Considering Proposed New County Courthouse

A proposed new Scott County Court House is presently under consideration by the Board of Commissioners.

Though plans are still in the preliminary stages, the commissioners spent part of their Tuesday morning meeting discussing first drafts of architects’ sketches on the proposed building.

No final plans have yet been accepted as a number of specifics and technical details are still under consideration…

The commissioners have been informally discussing a bond issue vote for September, and also anticipate money to come from existing building funds, normal building fund levies, and federal revenue sharing funds as well as proceeds form a successful bond issue. A formal funding package has not yet been arrived at, however, as the project is still in its early stages.

According to drawings and diagrams on display at the recent meeting, the new court house would be built on the same block as the present facility adjacent to the existing courthouse in an effort to locate as many county services as possible in one area.

The building itself would face north on Fourth Ave., and be bounded on either side by Fuller and Holmes.

The structure would be two stories high and include a basement. Besides containing complete court facilities, the building is designed to include space for the auditor, assessor, register of deeds, treasurer, administrator, other offices and support facilities.

When completed the plan would create an entire county services complex on that block in Shakopee.

25 Years Ago: From the May 21, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners vote to withdraw from waste board

The Scott County Board Tuesday voted to withdraw from a joint-powers-agreement with the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, comprised of the other six counties in the metropolitan area and formed to coordinate and fund regional waste-planning.

125 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1898 Scott County Argus

The work of replanking the draw bridge, which has been in progress for the past two weeks, is now nearly completed. The life of the old planks was five years, and it is expected that the new ones will outlast the old, as they are of the best northern pine.

100 Years Ago: From the May 17, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

District Phone Exchange to Be Located at Shakopee

The Tri-State Telephone Company will open a district exchange for Southern Minnesota in Shakopee about July 1^st.

The company has taken a ten-year lease on the second floor of the M. J. Berens building. From what we learn at this time about twelve girls will be employed working in three shifts of eight hours each.

75 Years Ago: From the May 13, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Baseball Light Towers Due This Week. Piers Set

Towers for the Shakopee baseball park lighting system are expected to arrive this week, it was learned Tuesday night, and in anticipation of the early arrival the … concrete piers upon which the towers will rest were completed Monday.

Last Sunday morning an REA post hole drilling device dug the holes in preparation for the concrete and C. J. Fischer’s crew poured the piers Monday. Each pier is eight feet deep and 22 inches in diameter.

Volunteer labor will next be required to assemble and erect the towers, dig the trenches for the power transmission cables and complete other work in connection with the lighting project.

25 Years Ago: From the May 14, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners reject County Road 42 realignment plan

With little discussion, the Scott County Board rejected a plan Tuesday to realign the western end of County Road 42 in Shakopee.

Home and property owners in the area of the proposed realignment urged the board not to go along with the county highway engineer’s recommendation…

125 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1898 Scott County Argus

First street near the site of the old Wampach factory resounds with the sound of hammer and saw. The large new residence of G. S. Lander is going up rapidly, now that the excavation has been blasted almost out of solid rock, and the structure is assuming imposing size and shape. It will make a handsome improvement to the city.

100 Years Ago: From the May 10, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Lester Brown has just completed a fine garage large enough for two cars in the basement of his home.

75 Years Ago: From the May 6, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Jewelry Store Arranges Grand Opening May 8

Recognized as the most modern store of its kind in the area the recently remodelled Shakopee Jewelers store and gift shop this week announces a grand opening for Saturday, May 8.

Completely transformed, with new fixtures, new decorations and ne3w lighting the store will feature several new lines of merchandise which have been added to the already vast stock of popular items.

For the opening day event flowers will be given to the ladies, and special discounts will be offered on some items, Norman Eng, owner, disclosed…

50 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Action on Town Hall Sale Still Uncertain

The City’s attempt to sell the Eagle Creek Town Hall to Scott County for use in the Library system was snagged again at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The move began last November, and the annexation was finalized in late February. However, a citizens’ petition has called for a referendum on the issue.

Before taking action on the referendum petition, the council had to reaffirm its original decision to sell the town hall, but needed vote of the full council for that action.

Council president Francis Kreuser was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, as a full vote could not be taken. After the matter was tabled, other members of the council noted that they might be absent from upcoming council meetings.

As a result, the town hall transfer may remain in limbo for some time…

25 Years Ago: From the May 7, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

County balking at joining metropolitan waste board

Scott County appear to be standing alone in its resistance to joining a seven-county metropolitan board that will coordinate and fund regional solid-waste planning.

All five county commissioners this week said they feel that the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board has too much power and control over county waste removal and disposal policies. They also said the board has not clearly spelled out its agenda for the region nor how its policies will affect Scott County.

Five of the seven member counties – Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington – have joined the board. Hennepin County is expected to do likewise next week. The deadline for deciding is July 1…