Author: Wes Reinke

125 Years Ago: From the June 16, 1898 Scott County Argus

Dr. H. P. Fischer’s residence is undergoing extensive improvements chiefly at the hands of the painter. The west wing has been removed, and the building is being painted a deep red, in imitation of Philadelphia pressed brick. The cornices and gables will be of a lighter color, the sash will be painted black, and the effect of the whole will be very pleasing.

100 Years Ago: From the June 14, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Excavation for the new home for Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Schaefer is about completed and work will be begun at once at the construction of a five room stucco bungalow. The home will be built directly south of their former home recently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Thiede.

75 Years Ago: From the June 10, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

First Night Ball Game Scheduled for June 16

Inauguration of Shakopee’s new baseball area has been set for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, when the Shakopee Indians and Bloomington will make history by playing the first night baseball game in Shakopee, it was announced Tuesday…

50 Years Ago: From the June 13, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Vote Set Sept. 11 on Proposed $1.9 Million County Court House

A bond issue vote for a proposed new court house will go to the residents of Scott County on Sept. 11.

The price tag for the new County Court House was set at $1,901,910 by the board of commissioners this week…

While the full $1.9 million will appear on the bond issue ballot, the county expects revenue sharing funds to cover over half of the amount of the project. Use of federal revenue sharing money will reduce the tax burden of the new county facility.

The county commissioners also anticipate other funds will help pay for a successful bond issue to keep taxes at a minimum, but those figures had not been firmly established at the time of this week’s meeting.

The proposed new Scott County Court House would be built on the site of the present courthouse and would be attached to it.

In detailing plans for the structure, the architect designed a building which would serve the growing needs of the county through 1985. It is planned as a three-story building with flexible modular design which would easily adapt to growing and changing needs of county and judicial needs according to the architects…

25 Years Ago: From the June 11, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

St. Francis expansion is planned

Growth in population, medical services offered creates need

Growth in patient load and an increase in medical services offered has necessitated expansion of Shakopee’s St. Francis Regional Medical Center, which opened at its current site just two years ago.

The hospital will add a third story, expand the existing structure to the west and north, and redesign the layout of some departments. The 39-bed capacity hospital will increase to 56 beds, with space for another seven rooms included in the redesign. The expansion will add 31,000 square feet to the facility. Remodeling will involve about 9,000 square feet.

Work on the $12 million expansion is scheduled to begin in mid-August, with completion expected in November 1999. The hospital was built for $16 million…

125 Years Ago: From the June 9, 1898 Scott County Argus

The county bastille is a lonesome place at this writing. Sheriff Hilgers informs us that he has not had a steady boarder for the past two weeks.

100 Years Ago: From the June 7, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kamp and son, William who have been residents of Shakopee for nearly nine years, expect to leave about the middle of the month to take up their permanent residence in Portland, Ore. The change will be made in hopes that the change of climate will benefit Mrs. Kamp’s health. Mr. Kamp has been an employee of the Minnesota Stove Co. During their residence here they have made many friends, whose best wishes will accompany them to their new home.

75 Years Ago: From the June 3, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City Council Acts to Halt Closing of Rail Crossings

Seeking to enjoin the Omaha railroad from closing nine streets here in conformity with a Railroad and Warehouse commission order eliminating grade crossings on Second street the City of Shakopee, acting through its attorney J. A. Coller, has petitioned the district court for a restraining order.

The city’s position, presented to Judge J. J. Moriarty Wednesday, asks that the railway company “be perpetually enjoined from closing any street crossings within the City of Shakopee or from removing therefrom any plankings or crossing and that the defendants (rail company) be enjoined from erecting any barricades from said crossings…”

Acting to halt the closing of streets which serve the Omaha line was launched by the council scarcely two days after a railway signal installation crew began preliminary work in preparation for the placing of automatic signal systems at the Lewis, Holmes and Fuller street crossings of the rail line.

50 Years Ago: From the June 6, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

City Council Reaffirms Sale of Town Hall

The ordinance authorizing the sale of the Eagle Creek Town Hall to the county was reaffirmed Tuesday night by the Shakopee City Council.

The measure now goes before the people on a referendum ballot, but no date for the vote has been set.

The full council met on a call of the mayor to consider the matter after a petition had asked the question be raised again…

Though the referendum is not expected for some months, the council directed the city administrator to prepare a rental agreement so the library system could use the building in the interim…

25 Years Ago: From the June 4, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Winds take Shakopee by storm

Hundreds of trees down, 339 homes damaged, part of city still without power
Miraculously, no one hurt; massive cleanup effort to take months

It only lasted a few minutes, but when the straight-line winds that slammed into the Shakopee area at up to 80 mph late Saturday died down, it left in its wake hundreds of downed trees and power lines, and damaged homes and buildings throughout the city. But almost miraculously, there were no storm related injuries.

As of Monday, a total of twos home were destroyed, 75 houses sustained serious damage, and an estimated 262 homes had minor damages, according to Tim O’Loughlin, Scott County emergency management coordinator. The dollar-loss figure had not been determined yet. The majority of the damage in Shakopee was in the old portion of the city where mature trees fell on houses, in yards and across streets, snapping power lines…

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…

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…