Month: August 2024

150 Years Ago: From the Sept. 3, 1874 Shakopee Argus

O. S. Brown, the accommodating proprietor of the City Livery, is astonishing those who supposed that the temporary suspension of the livery business for a few weeks during harvest indicated no more livery, by the erection of a large and commodious barn on the corner of Holmes and Second sts., where he expects in a few days to furnish the best “rigs” on short notice.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 31, 1899 Scott County Argus

A cyclists’ lantern parade and drill will be one of the features of one evening of the street fair. All who ride are requested to meet for organization tomorrow night (Friday), at the store of J. C. Marx. It is hoped to have at least fifty wheels in the line of parade, and there should be a hundred.

125 Years Ago: From the Sept. 1, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

P. F. Stemmer while ploughing on his farm run against a bull snake curled up in the ground of such immense size that the plow was thrown out as if it had struck a large rock.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 5, 1924 Shakopee Argus

New School District

As will be noted from the resolution published elsewhere in the Argus a new school district, No. 77, was created. This new district will take the place of old No. 3 in Eagle Creek, which was known as the Duffy district. The resolution establishing District No. 77 was passed at the session of the County Board last Monday.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 4, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

The E. G. Dahl family have rented the M. H. Oliver home located on Third Street. They moved their furniture and household articles Monday and are now domiciled in their new location.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 1, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Lost – $1,000

In a classified ad in the Argus-Tribune today, E. G. Bandy is offering a liberal reward for the return of $1,000 in currency which he lost on First street in Shakopee sometime between 1 and 4 p.m., Aug. 30.

Mr. Bandy, who makes his home with his son, John, on a farm south of Shakopee, was taking the money to the bank to make a deposit. He stopped in four business places on First street and when he was ready to go to the bank, discovered the cash had vanished.

He said the money, mostly $20 bills and smaller currency, was in a roll tied with string. He is positive he had it in his pocket when he reached Shakopee. After retracing all his steps he reported the loss to the sheriff’s office and W. B. Schroeder, deputy sheriff, conducted a search.

Up to Wednesday noon the money had not been recovered, and he hopes that someone will return it to him.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 1, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

New Pinsetters At Local Bowling Alley

With new improvements added, the St. Paul House bowling alleys, opening Labor Day, are now the most modern in this section of the state, Jerry K. Wampach announced this week.

During the past month workmen have completed installing new Brunswick semi-automatic pin-setters. Use of the new machines will greatly speed up play and make the work of the pinsetters much easier.

Each machine has an individual electric motor to furnish the power. All that is now needed is to place the pins in the rack and then the machine takes over…

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 4, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Building program ignited animated discussion during joint committee meeting

An animated and sometimes heated discussion brought life to an otherwise tranquil and routine joint committee meeting of the common council Tuesday evening in the council chambers. Main principals in the discussion were aldermen Ron Ward, George Roberts, Ted Odenwald and Mayor Ray Foslid.

Subject of the debate was the proposed building program and what objectives should be achieved through such a program.

While specifics cannot yet be discussed, priorities and long range goals of the building program were at the heart of the matter. Listed among possible priority projects were: remodeling of the fire department, a public works facility, remodeling of the street garage, a new police facility, enlargement of the recreation department and community space.

Among points of contention Tuesday night was the amount to be spent on the new facility, suggested at $850,000, location of the new facility, what should be included in the new facility and what type of building would best serve the public…

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 2, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Weekend blaze damages truck transporting roofing materials

A double-axle truck being used to transport roofing materials from Anchor Glass in Shakopee sustained significant damage when fire broke out in the rear compartment on Sunday…

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Aug. 27, 1874 Shakopee Argus

The success of the Minnesota Valley Academy has been so great that they are now building an addition for the accommodation of their students.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 24, 1899 Scott County Argus

H. C. Carlson, who has been operator at the gravel pit during the present season, has been appointed day operator at the Shakopee station of the Omaha road, to fill the vacancy made by the promotion of R. P. Starr to the office of station agent.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

The Steamer Henrietta will give an excursion Sunday, Aug. 27^th, for Shakopee, Chaska and Carver, leaving St. Paul at 9 a.m. Arrive, Shakopee 1.30 p.m. Leave Shakopee 2 p.m. Arrive, Chaska 2.30 p.m. Carver, 3 p.m. Will return to Shakopee about 5.30 to 6 p.m. Fare, round trip 25 cts., dancing included. Fine orchestra provided for.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 29, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Big Parade Tonight

The industrial parade scheduled for tonight is going to be one of the big features of the fair this year. There will be numerous floats of various descriptions—there will be bands—and then more bands. Every nearby city will have a delegation of it’s citizens accompanied by a band in the procession. Shakopee will have three of its own—the Silver Lake, the Chaska Sodality, and the K. of C. band of St. Paul will represent the local council of K. of C.’s in the parade.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 28, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Peter Annen Purchases Cargill Home on Third St.

Peter Annen purchased the Cargill home on Third Street last week from Ed Eckert, overseer of the property. The home was the property of Miss Josephine Cargill, who formerly lived in this city but is now residing in St. Paul. Mr. Eckert, overseer of the property is a brother-in-law of Miss Cargill.

Mr. Annen is having the house entirely renovated. He intends to have the exterior of the house stuccoed and the interior remodeled. New floors will be put in and other improvements will be made. After the work has been completed the house will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George Annen.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Leases Building for Meat Market

In a transaction completed this week, A. C. Moldenhauer leased the Shoenecker building on West First street and also purchased the meat market equipment and fixtures in the place.

Mr. Moldenhauer said his son, Arthur, will operate the market starting about Sept. 15. The present Moldenhauer market on First street is to be operated until May 1, after which the business will be transferred to the new location, it was learned.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Schools To Open On September 6

Schools in Shakopee will open for the 1949-50 school term Tuesday, September 6. At the Shakopee public school and two parochial schools, St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s, everything is in readiness to begin operations a full time basis.

At least two of the schools, however, will be severely crowded as a record influx of students are expected to be on hand. St. Mary’s and the Shakopee public school are faced with a terrific housing problem…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 28, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Auto Service Center complex planned

Jim Hauer demonstrated the quickest way to “tear down” a home Thursday afternoon in Shakopee and it made the big bad wolf look like a good guy.

Hauer did away with one of Shakopee’s older homes (at the corner of Market and East First Avenue) in less than two bours — leveling the combination wood, brick and stucco add-on structure and repeatedly running over the materials reducing them to “chip size” for hauling to a sanitary land fill.

Wilbert “Willie” Welter, Shakopee businessman acquired the former home (part of the Mamie Schroeder property) as part of a commercial venture. Welter, plans to open a 4,000 square foot Auto Service Center…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 26, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

K-6 projections fizzle

Enrollment below expectations; officials puzzled

Staff and administrators at Shakopee Public Schools were bracing for a flood of students this fall, particularly in the elementary grades. Instead, the torrent looks like more of a trickle.

Shakopee School Board members learned Monday that the preliminary elementary enrollment is 61 students fewer than anticipated. Figures on Monday showed that 2,071 students signed up for classes; district officials had predicted there would be 2,132…

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Aug. 20, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee claims to have the best sidewalks to be found in any city of its size in the State.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 17, 1899 Scott County Argus

The residence of Chas. G. Hinds is being improved in great measure by the building of a new veranda of ornamental design along the entire front of the house. It will be 13 feet wide where it replaces the old piazza, and the whole will add immeasurably to the comfort of the home.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

It is an everyday occurrance that the seats and tables in the city park are damaged by cutting and often obscene matter has to be erased. Many warnings, such as signs and verbal instructions have been given our youth and if matters don’t improve certainly the proper steps should be taken.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 22, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Grant Lundberg has charge of the work at the City Recorder’s office in the absence of City Recorder, Michael Regan.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 21, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Fred Berens Sells His Interest in Building

Harry C. and Arthur H. Berens bought the third interest in the John Berens store building from Fred P. Berens. The deal was completed yesterday morning.

Fred Berens will retain a lease on the portion of the building that he is now occupying until December, during which time he will dispose of the balance of the stock he has on hand.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Run Friday

Firemen were called out Friday afternoon to extinguish a fire in a sawdust and shaving pile north of the old mill building on Lewis street. A rubbish fire ignited the pile of wood waste, it was learned. The blaze was promptly extinguished.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

City To Share Utility Costs

After a torrid discussion at an adjourned council meeting last Wednesday night, the matter of the sewer and water main extension in the third ward was decided on the issue of the city of Shakopee paying costs of water improvements and the benefited property owners paying costs of sewer mains.

The council let a contract some weeks ago for five blocks of sewer and water main to John L. Ries on his unit bid of $4200. His low bid called for $9.50 per cubic yard for excavating rock. Specifications furnished by the city engineer’s office called for an estimated 30 yards of rock.

However, when the street was opened and work underway it was discovered that approximately 550 yards of rock would have to be moved. This material boosted the cost of the project.

After discussing the matter at some length, the council by resolution moved that the cost per lot be determined, and that the city pay the cost of the water main improvements on the basis of cost of comparable excavation…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 21, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Renaissance festival gets needed land

The Fourth Annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival has found a long-term home southwest of the Twin Cities in Scott County, according to Festival Managing Director Barbara Rork.

Announcement of the new site ends a nine-month search for “Just the right place,” Ms. Rork said.

The new location lies on 150 acres four miles southwest of Shakopee off Highway 169 near the Minnesota River.

The land is the property of Lester Malkerson, owner of Malkerson Motors, Shakopee, and has been offered to the Festival on a three-year lease arrangement with expectations for lease renewals thereafter…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 19, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Church workers get a surprise

A surprise from the past greeted workers refurbishing the roof and exterior of St. Mark’s Catholic Church last month when a time capsule was discovered inside the church’s exterior walls.

Digging inside the outer walls on the south side of the church’s main entrance, workers discovered a small cavity about a foot high and a foot wide. In it was a blue-tinted bottle filled with artifacts from the church’s earliest days in Shakopee. The discovery was made as workers dug into the walls to create space for the addition of another time capsule.

What workers found is a bottle about 10 inches tall. Sealed with a large cork and wax, the blue-tinted bottle contained two coins and what is believed to be a page from a local newspaper printed in German. The coins are an 1865 Indian-head penny and a threepence – a 3-cent coin…

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Aug. 13, 1874 Shakopee Argus

The Shakopee Grist Mill will soon be ready for business. Steam was raised yesterday, and we were apprised of the fact by the “toot” of their whistle.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 10, 1899 Scott County Argus

John J. Simmer, who has been living in St. Paul the past year, has moved back to Shakopee and will open a blacksmith and wagon shop in the old Koeper place on First street.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

All benches, tables and the pavilion in the city park have this week been treated with a red coat of paint.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 15, 1924 Shakopee Argus

W. F. Schoch Goes Out of Business

A deal was closed last Thursday evening in which E. C. Scott, proprieter of the Shakopee Motor Sales, leased of W. F. Schoch his garage building and purchased the stock in the building. Mr. Scott to remodel the building, put in a show room, and have a complete Ford, Fordson and Lincoln Service Station. He will take possession August 20th.

W F. Schoch will go out of the garage business for some time and give all his time to his threshing outfit. He has recently purchased a now large size model Nichols Shepard Tractor and Separator and with the fine equipment will be able to do much of the threshing in this section of the country.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 14, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

The Scherkenbach Hardware and Electric Supply Co., have improved the appearance of their store building 100% by painting the front, a clear white enamel. The improvement is decided and is fully in keeping with the general progressive spirit of the firm.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

State Eases City Problem

Removal of all the filling from the sewer and water trench on East First will not be necessary, it was learned following a meeting of state highway department authorities and city officials Thursday.

It was feared for a time that the city would be obliged to remove the backfill from several blocks of sewer and water trench to conform to the provisions of a permit issued by the highway department. The permit applying of state highway 101, provided that no rocks be replaced in the trench. Following inspection the state contended the terms of the permit had not been met by the city.

Donald Childs, city engineer, and Aldermen Fox and Huber, conferred with state highway officials Thursday morning and reached an agreement whereby the city will remove the top 18 inches of back fill and replace it with gravel, and slush all the backfilling with water to assure complete settling…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Rock Excavation Work Raises Cost Of New Utility Improvement

Because of large quantities of limerock, unexpectedly encountered during excavation work, cost of five blocks of sewer and water in East Shakopee area will run considerable over preliminary estimates, the Shakopee city council learned at their meeting Tuesday night.

Final estimates on the project, presented to the council and approved by Donald Childs, city engineer, totaled $7877.35. Low bidder, given the contract several weeks ago, was John L. Ries, Shakopee, who bid approximately $4200.

However, the bid was submitted on a unit cost basis, with each operation broken down at a set figure per unit. Specifications furnished the bidders by the city engineer’s office estimated only 30 yards of rock removal to be required. Actually, however, it was discovered during the period of excavation that the removal of about 600 cubic yards of rock was required. The rock was moved by blasting and airhammer operations. It was the large amount of rock, underlying some of the streets, that skyrocketed the cost of the project…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 14, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Council hears concerns voiced by residents

Adoption of the assessments for the VIP Shakopee watermain connection improvement project 72-2 was granted by the Shakopee city council at their regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Adoption of the pian followed a lengthy public hearing on the matter which was held at 8 p.m.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 12, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

New parks referendum has support at forum

A parks bond referendum that voters rejected in May had a bit of life breathed back into it Monday night as a group of Shakopee residents urged that there be another try.

Members of the Shakopee Parks and Recreation Board seemed favorable to that, but whether voters will see it on a ballot is still up to the City Council.

Of the 15 people who attended a public forum at the Community Center, those who favor some form of a $6 million referendum far outnumbered those who oppose revisiting the issue. Supporters want to see it on the ballot with City Council candidates in the general election on Nov. 2…

The Parks Board will need to make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to hold a referendum and in what form the question should be asked. The next regularly-scheduled council meeting is next Tuesday.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.

150 Years Ago: From the Aug. 6, 1874 Shakopee Argus

H. H. Strunk & Son have placed some fine labels on the drawers in their drug store. They have now one of the finest stores in the Minnesota Valley.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 5, 1899 Scott County Argus

Work on the construction of the new switch track to the mill has been begun, and the rails are already laid as far as First street one block west of the Milwaukee station. Agent Schaefer states that a work train is expected here in a day or two, when work on the trestles at the lime kiln and at the foot of Holmes street will be begun. About thirty men will be at work by the first of the week.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

At a meeting of the members of the Presbyterian church the site for the new church was changed to the NW corner of the block in which Henry Hinds’ residence is located on First street.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 8, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Construction Work on Pelham Hotel Completed

The construction work of remodeling and enlarging the Pelham Hotel was completed this week. The work was begun early this spring with Fred Rohlfs as contractor, but was not completed as early as had been expected due to an unavoidable delay of about six weeks in which the masons were unable to work. The outside walls of the new addition are of cream color brick veneer to conform with the rest of the building. It has three floors containing twelve rooms in all, eleven of which are sleeping quarters. It is strictly modern through out having steam heat, and hot and cold running water in each room. Some time soon a drinking fountain will be put on the second floor.

The entrance of the hotel has been completely remodeled. A large glassed in vestibule leads to the main office. An ornamental canopy of steel and lumber will be hung over this entrance, and will add a great deal to the appearance of the building. A public telephone booth has been installed on the first floor…

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 7, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

State Meeting Held at Reformatory Here

The quarterly conference of the superintendents of state institutions, with the State Board of Control, was held, Tuesday at the State Reformatory for Women in this city.

About one hundred and thirty-five men and women from various parts of the state and representing the different institutions, were present with the Board of Control, at this meeting…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

State Not Satisfied With Job

The possibility that several blocks of water and sewer trench on highway 101 in East Shakopee may have to be reopened and back filled with material which does not include limestone taken from the trench loomed Tuesday night as the City Council studied a communication from the state highway department.

According to the letter the highway department, which apparently has domain over the street in which the water and sewer lines were laid, had issued a permit to the city to open the street. Under the terms of the permit, no rock was to be replaced in the trench. The state contends that highway department inspections disclosed this provision was violated and that strict compliance is expected.

The letter also pointed out that the work was to be completed by July 1 and that the city is liable for a charge of $15 per day for every day the state must maintain a detour after July 1. It was further pointed out that the city had made a $3,000 deposit with the state as assurance of compliance with the terms of the permit…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Dellwo Elected New Alderman

Elmer J. Dellwo was named alderman of the third at a special election here Monday as he narrowly edged out Ray Siebenaler in a hotly contested battle.

Dellwo polled 102 votes while Siebenaler in second place had 99. Just a step behind was Paul Prellwitz with 94 votes while Clarence Vierling had 13. A total of 309 ballots were cast.

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 7, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Work at mill pond

Workmen were busy last week at the mill pond adjacent to the Shakopee House. Rocks were piled along the shoreline to prohibit erosion of the banks. Beautification of the entire area has been underway and this stage of the project is nearing completion.

Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.