Month: July 2023

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1898 Scott County Argus

Fred Vierling and Nic Heger went out of business at the old Nieters place, in “upper town” last Monday, with the expiration of their license. They are planning to reengage in the saloon business at some point on First street, in the near future, but nothing definite has been decided upon to date.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 2, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

New Drinking Fountains for Down Town District

New public drinking fountains are being installed in the down town district of this city. One fountain is being placed on the corner at the John Berens store and another at Davy’s corner.

A lavatory and drinking fountain will also be installed at Riverside Park in the near future. The improvements have become a necessity and will be welcomed by local people.

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

Park Dedication Set

Dedication of Shakopee’s improved baseball park, site of the 1948 state amateur baseball tournament, has been set for Wednesday night, Aug. 4, with the Shakopee Indians and the Chaska Cubs providing the diamond attraction.

W. H. (Rip) Schroeder, Scott county deputy sheriff and coach of the Shakopee club, will be the master of ceremonies. Schroeder, who formerly played with the Columbus Red Birds and St. Louis Cards, now occasionally plays the outfield in addition to his coaching duties on the Shakopee club.

The dedication ceremony is to get under way promptly at 8:00 o’clock preceding the ballgame which has been scheduled for 8:30. Feature of the ceremony will be a 15-minute program of music and intricate drills by the Chaska drum and bugle corps composed of members of veterans of World war II…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 1, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

High Winds and Hail

Over 200 acres of corn on the Thomas Williams farm south of Shakopee was destroyed by high winds and hail over the weekend which also wrecked the vegetable garden and broke windows on the William home. Damage around Scott County may top the million dollar mark when all estimates are tallied. Some of the county’s farmers had insurance to cover some of their losses, but many did not have adequate protection. The storms which caused the damage blew across areas of three counties. In Scott County the heaviest damage was reported through a stirp of land about three miles wide and 18 to 20 miles long in the southwest part of the county. Some fields of corn, soybeans and oats were wiped out completely.

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

Cleanup of shooting range to cost $24,305

Cities, county may contribute

For years, the Shakopee Police Department, area law-enforcement agencies and sportsmen have used the gun range just south of the intersection of county roads 16 and 83.

But at the July 21 Shakopee City Council meeting, the city paid the bill for 20-plus years of no-cost target practice. The council unanimously accepted a quote of $24,305 from Glenn Rehbein Cos. to remove and dispose of approximately 420 tons of soil from the embankment behind the targets.

As required by the state, the city needs to remove the lead bullets from the soil because the soil is deemed to be contaminated by the lead. The land is owned by Valley Green Business Park, which wants to sell the small parcel for development. At Valley Green’s request, the city planned to deal with the issue a year ago. But the cleanup would not be economically completed before the end of the year and Valley Green agreed to defer the project until 1998, said City Administrator Mark McNeill…

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

If this weather is not “hot enough for you,” take a trip down to the City Brick yard, where Mr. Schroeder’s crew is just now basking in the additional warmth thrown off by a burning kiln at 800,000 brick. This is the second big kiln of the season at the City Brick yard.

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

Shakopee State Bank Installs Electric Alarm

The Shakopee State Bank added a new safety device to their bank last week, by the installation of an up-to-date electric alarm system.

The alarm, which was installed by the Cannon Ball Alarm Co. of Minneapolis, is attached to the protective devices throughout the system in such a way that the slightest interference at any point, will sound the warning. The alarm system is so thorough that the removal of even a single screw from the casing of the outside metal box will sound the alarm.

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

Police Radio System Ready

A police radio system that will eventually link county and municipal law enforcement officers in Scott and Carver counties is to be inaugurated here this week, Pat Thielen, Shakopee police chief, disclosed.

Two-way radios have already been installed in the Shakopee police car and the Scott county sheriff’s car. Transmitting equipment is to be housed in the courthouse here…

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

New Veterinary Clinic in Operation

Dr. Richard Klimmek has taken the step from a converted garage to a new veterinary clinic just south of Shakopee. The new clinic marks the achievement of a goal Klimmek set six years ago when he graduated from the University of Minnesota…

The new clinic was designed primarily for small animal veterinary services including exams, vaccinations and surgery, and also has boarding and grooming facilities…

Joining Klimmek on the first of July was another recent U of M graduate, Dr. Tom Rainey. Dr. Rainey had been a member of the scholastic veterinary fraternity.

Both men have mobile veterinary units mounted on trucks which allows them to make emergency house calls, and makes it easier to deal with large animals who could not be brought to the clinic…

The clinic is located one and one half miles south of Shakopee on Co. Rd. 15 (Marystown Road)…

25 Years Ago: From the July 23, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Prison escapee found at Minneapolis concert

A 17-year-old convicted murderer who walked away from the state correctional facility for women in Shakopee Friday morning was found about midnight the same day exactly where authorities thought she would be – at the Smashing Pumpkins concert in downtown Minneapolis…

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

Charles Hartmann and George Ries will engage in the butcher business here as soon as necessary arrangements can be made. They are today undecided whether to buy you A & J. Zettel or start a third market in the unoccupied part of the How block on Lewis street. Both deals are now pending.

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

The Tri-State Telephone Co. will open their new office in the M. J. Berens and Sons building about August 1. Experienced operators form the twin cities will be in charge for an indefinite time, until local operators have been trained.

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

Huth and Johnson in Tonsorial Shop

In a change of plans announced this week it was disclosed that Peter G. Huth will be associated with Al Johnson in the latter’s barber shop on E. First street effective Friday morning, July 16.

Last week after vacating the Lewis street building he had occupied for many years Mr. Huth moved his equipment to the former Wampach residence, west of the Metcalf service station, where he planned to open a barber shop.

Under the new management he will continue business in the Johnson shop.

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

Shopping Center Construction Will Start Soon

Construction of a $3 million shopping center near Shakopee is scheduled to get underway about Aug. 1, a spokesman for a Minneapolis development firm said last week.

However, a list of the types of stores that will occupy the center will not be made public until all arrangements for financing have been made, the spokesman said. The list will probably be made available later this week, he said.

The center, to be called Jacksondale, will be constructed on 30 acres of a 124 acre tract of land immediately west of Shakopee on Highway 169. Of the remaining acreage, 10 acres will be sold for the development of townhouses, and 84 acres for development of private residential dwellings, the spokesman revealed.

Tentative plans for the shopping center include construction of a bowling alley, motel, restaurant and possibly a movie theater, he added.

The shopping center is expected to be completed in March.

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

Monument on Indian burial mound

City agrees to move structure at Memorial Park honoring war dead

A flagpole and granite memorial in Veterans Memorial Park honoring local residents who died while serving in the military sits atop an Indian burial mound, and the city of Shakopee will work with the local American Legion and VFW posts and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community to relocate them…

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

The improvements upon Dr. H. P. Fischer’s residence, outlined in a former issue, have been completed, and the result is very pleasing. The walls of the house have been given three coats of paint, and they now closely resemble Milwaukee brick. The cornices, gables and shingles are painting in cream and ecru, and the woodwork is in black. The old west wing has been torn down, and in its stead is a neat little porch. The windows on the west side have been replaced by new two-lighted ones, another marked improvement. Taken with the beautiful lawn, the well-kept flower gardens, shade trees and hedges, the doctor has one of the most attractive homes in the city.

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

August T. Dell Is Acquitted

A. T. Dell, cashier of the defunct Security State Bank of Shakopee, who was charged with accepting and receiving money on deposit when the bank was insolvent, was found “Not Guilty” by a Sibley County jury, at Gaylord, Saturday, June 30.

The trial of the case was transferred from Scott County to Sibley County, under the defendant’s plea for a change of venue on the claim, that the feeling was so strong in Shakopee that a fair trial could not be obtained at a term of court here…

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

Dry Cleaner’s New Quarters Well Under Way

Remodeling of the building that will be the new home of the Shakopee Cleaners at the corner of Second and Lewis streets is progressing rapidly.

A large concrete block addition on the west side of the building is being erected by Cy Fischer and his crew. Interior alterations of the main building, including partitions, counters, and cabinets are being done by the S. M. Hennen contracting firm.

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

Pollution Control Inc. Survives July 4 Blaze; Clean-up Continues

Several tons of smoldering scrap metal littered the yard of Pollution Control Inc. after last week’s spectacular fire.

Hundreds of 55 gallon drums filled with chemicals exploded in the fire which raged for over ten hours.

PCI president Charles Robertson said the company would continue regular operations as near normal as possible after the blaze.

Robertson said a preliminary examination showed damage to the receiving dock, control room, lunch room and material handling department.

A major portion of the plant including the company’s office building, power source and operating equipment appeared to be undamaged according to Robertson.

Although fire and explosions ripped through the storage area, firemen were able to protect much of the plant itself through the long afternoon…

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

Building consolidation plans studied by county

Although the upfront costs may seem hefty, the Scott County Board is considering a plan to consolidate human services, and employment and job training programs into one Shakopee site.

Last month the commissioners, acting as the Public Service Committee, gave the go ahead for continued planning on the Work Force Development Center. The center would serve the Work Force Center, the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative, and the CAP Agency…

The 62,000-square-foot office/warehouse building would be located on 4.6 acres along County Road 83 in Shakopee, just northeast of Canterbury Park…

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

Anton Ring and Joe Fischer have begun the manufacture of cement paving blocks and walks. They have secured the old Rosracker shop in which to establish their plant, and they are now at work. A cistern has been dug in the center of the building, and other necessary equipment is going in daily. There is no good reason why this industry cannot be carried on successfully by local parties, and as there is to be a large amount of this kind of work in the city in the near future, the young men start in with good prospects for success.

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

W. E. Redman re-purchased the half interest in the Redman Ice Cream Co., which he sold to E. W. Mesenbring five months ago. The transaction became effective July 1. Mr. Redman will move his family back to Shakopee and Mr. Mesenbring will return to Cologne and take possession of his farm. Mr. Redman will retain his half interest in the Red Wing Creamery, which will be managed in the future by his brother, E. W. Redman. Friends of the Redman family will be pleased to learn of their return to this city but will regret to learn of Mr. Mesenbring’s departure.

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

Enlarged Stands to Seat 2000

Capable of seating 2,000 fans, the newly enlarged grandstand at Riverside park here is expected to get its first real use when the crowd gathers for the Belle Plaine-Shakopee game next Wednesday night.

The 80-foot extension along the first base line was completed the past week through the efforts of energetic volunteer men and boys who spent many hours of their spare time shoveling, hauling, sawing, climbing and nailing while the stands took shape.

Also completed now is a spacious concession counter beneath the stands and a press box atop the stands.

Under way are new and enlarged toilet facilities and improved dugouts.

Scheduled for appearance around the field in a few days is the new “high-board” fence, funds for which have been subscribed by business firms which purchased advertising space on the boards. Preliminary construction work was to get under way this week…

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

Separating Centuries

Tractors working at the Minnesota Valley Restoration Project have nearly completed their work on the dirt berm separating the site from the highway. The berm is intended to keep out some of the signs, sights and sounds of the 20^th Century, and will make it easier to control access to the project site.