Author: Wes Reinke

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1898 Scott County Argus

John McMullen has put up a warehouse 16×28 feet in size, on his lot adjoining J. A. Wilder’s lumber yard. It will be for use in connection with his agricultural implement trade. Wm. Beggs had the contract for the building.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

State Reformatory to Celebrate Third Anniversary

February second, the State Reformatory for Women will celebrate its third anniversary. At 2:30 p.m. a musical program will be given, after which guests will be shown through the buildings. All women who are interested in the work of the Reformatory are invited to attend.

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

School Plans Near Completion

That architectural details and plans for Shakopee’s new public school have neared completion was indicated this week with the disclosure that the mass of drawings and data are now before the state department of education for examination.

Further indication of the progress was seen in the visit of structural engineers who were on the school site Saturday taking readings and soil samples. Reports of laboratory analysis of the soil will be made a part of the vast array of detail material compiled by the architects in conjunction with the preparation of building plans, it was learned.

How soon the completed plans would be presented to the board of education and representatives of the Shakopee Commercial club for examination could not be determined.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 24, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Memorial Park Turnover to Historical Society Gets First Council Reading

First reading of an ordinance which would convey Shakopee’s 120-acre Memorial Park to Scott County Historical Society was held Tuesday night, … no adverse comment from the public.

Prior to its … reading and the council decision on whether to turn the property over to the society, councilmen will consider the ordinance further at a joint committee meeting February 8.

The Shakopee Planning Commission, by a majority vote, has indicated their approval of the proposed turnover of the land to the Society as the best use of the area.

The park area would extend the Society’s property from its restoration site along Highway 101 up to the edge of the commercially developed area of the city.

The Society plans to construct a $1.5 million museum at the western edge of the present park. Use of the area as a picnic ground for Shakopee residents would continue until Society development extends through the picnic area. At that time, the society would construct another picnic shelter area for residents near the Millpond.

City Attorney Julius Coller said the ordinance, if adopted, would be subject to a referendum petition as are all ordinances, but as yet the proposed conveyance of the land has caused no open opposition.

Under the proposed agreement, Shakopee citizens would be afforded preferential treatment in the access to and use of society facilities…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 22, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Crossroads Center breaks ground

Ground was broken Jan. 14 for Shakopee Crossroads Center, a retail development that will include a Cub Foods grocery store on Marschall Road and Highway 169…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1898 Scott County Argus

The residence of Julius A. Coller narrowly escaped serious damage by fire Saturday. While the family was at breakfast a jar in which Mrs. Coller was burning cigar stubs for the house plants in the bedroom upstairs cracked open and lighted stubs set fire to the building. When discovered the fire had burned through to the floor. The bedstead is of iron, and this, coupled with the closed room, kept the fire from gaining serious headway. The outcome was a lucky one.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Miss Elizabeth Schell to Fill Post Office Vacancy

Miss Elizabeth Schell this week received the appointment to fill the vacancy at the local Post Office.

Examinations for the position were conducted here the fore part of December when thirteen applicants took the examinations. Miss Schell is to be congratulated upon her success in receiving the appointment.

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

Baseball Lights Get New Boost

A united effort to provide lights and improved facilities for Shakopee’s baseball park in time for the coming season got under way Monday night with the naming of a committee composed of representatives of local civic, fraternal and veterans organizations to proceed with the formation of a non-profit corporation to finance the $15,000 project.

The committee was appointed by Harold Bigot, president of the Shakopee baseball association who had called the meeting after requesting local organizations to name representatives to attend the session…

It was the consensus of opinion expressed by the more than 75 men at the Monday session, that the financing plan should provide for the issuance of non-interest bearing bonds in $10 denominations to be sold to local investors interested in promoting baseball in the community…

In addition to the installation of lights to meet the popular demand for night baseball, leaders in the project have under consideration the enlargement of existing facilities, erection of a permanent and more spacious concession stand, improved shower and dressing rooms, and toilet facilities. These improvements, it was pointed out, are contemplated in the overall estimate of $15,000 necessary to do the job.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 17, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

School Board Rejects Inmate Work Program

A request from the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women in Shakopee to place selected inmates in a work program in the Shakopee schools was rejected by board members Monday night.

The concept, described by Supt. Robert Mayer as being “probably unique in the nation if adopted,” had been tabled for further study in December, when it was first brought to the board by Roger Eastman, coordinator of education programs at the institution.

Eastman’s proposal to the board was to place volunteer inmates selected through a classification committee, in clerical jobs at the high school, serving as both vocational training and as a social rehabilitation…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 15, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Expansion of Shakopee prison proposed

A swelling in the population of female prison inmates will prompt state officials to seek bonding for a $7 million expansion of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee…

The DOC is proposing construction of a 124-bed unit to meet the needs of 366 female inmates projected to be incarcerated by 2006…

Construction would begin in 1999, with completion set for July 2000…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1898 Scott County Argus

The committee on church debt liquidation, of the German Lutheran church, reported at a recent meeting that $300 have been cancelled in the past two years, and that the balance of $200 will, they trust, be cancelled by April 1, 1898. All voting members are taxed 25 cents monthly for this fund.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

League of Women Voters Held Interesting Meeting

Perhaps the largest and most interesting meeting in the history of the local League of Women Voters was held at the Public Rest rooms last Friday afternoon.

The question “Are our dances what they should be?” was discussed from different points of view. Barn dances and pavilion dances were also discussed.

Rev. Dean M. Savs gave a most interesting talk on the subject. He denounced public pavilion dances and barn dances.

Mayor Mergens gave a fine talk on the difficulties of the problem at the present time.

A large number of names were added to the list of members and the meeting proved very interesting from every standpoint.

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

For Free!

Leo Robeck, Red Owl store owner, stepped out the back door of his store Saturday morning expecting to bring in a package containing a hundred pounds of beef which he had placed beside the door late Friday to freeze. The meat was gone, some one having “lifted” it during the night. Leo being the kid of fellow he is, came up with an offer to grind the meat into hamburger if the party who took it will bring it in – and no extra charge.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Council Gives Its Approval to Rezoning for Medical Center

A clean bill of health was given to a rezoning for a proposed Medical Center in Shakopee by the city council Tuesday night.

The action paved the way for the construction of a 7,000 square foot clinic proposed by Drs. Donald Abrams, Anthony Spagnolo, Joseph Keenan and Donald Lynch…

The rezoning was a difficult question for councilmen, as they had recently rejected a similar request for a shopping center near the site of the proposed clinic, to be both west of County Road 17 and south of Shakopee Avenue.

The original request by the doctors was the rezoning of a 9 acre parcel they had purchased. The request was later reduced to a rezoning to business use for only three of the nine acres…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Retail center to break ground

Cub Foods included in Oppidan development in city

Crossroads Center, a $12 million, 200,000 square-foot retail development project in Shakopee … will include a Cub Foods store, will be commenced Jan. 14 during ground breaking ceremonies.

The retail center, which will be located west of Marschall Road and south of Vierling Drive, will also include a Norwest Bank, SuperAmerica station, Edina Realty, Blockbuster Video, True Value Hardware store and a Crossroads Liquor store…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1898 Scott County Argus

About the first of next month C. L. Wilcox will tear out the front of his building, now occupied by Tailor Gillen, and replace it with a store front with plate glass show windows. Ultimately Mr. Wilcox will erect a fine store building on the corner, the stie of the Ziethen blacksmith shop, which he recently purchased, but until that is done he will make use of the remodeled frame building as a salesroom for wall paper, paints, etc.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The K. of C. Library will be opened to the public next Monday, January 8^th, and after that date will be open every evening except Sunday from 7 to 7:30. A. J. Mingo will act as Librarian for the year 1923.

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

Ball Light Meeting Set

Continuing the movement to provide lights for Shakopee’s baseball park, committees representing civic, fraternal and veterans organizations are to meet with officers of the baseball association at a session to be held either in the Legion club or the city hall Monday night, Jan. 12, Vincent Marschall, secretary of the ball association disclosed.

Letters have been sent to the various organizations asking each to select committees to work with the baseball association in its effort to find ways and means of lighting the ball park.

The Shakopee Fire department had first planned to assume the responsibility for the project but abandoned the idea after probing the problems and difficulties involved.

What plan will be evolved as a result of the coming meeting was not forecast, but it is evident that men interested in the project are hopeful that an organization representative of all groups in the city will eventually be formed to carry the project to successful completion.

In disclosing the date of the Jan. 12 meeting Marschall also made it clear that anyone interested in the effort is welcome to attend the session.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 30, 1897 Scott County Argus

Miss Minnie F. Buchanan has resigned her position as teacher in the Union Schools, on account of her health. A successor has not yet been chosen, although it is understood the Board will try to secure the services of a male teacher. As at present arranged the department in which the vacancy occurs includes the third, fourth and seventh grades.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 28, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

A very fine shipment of clothing was sent from this city last Friday through the American Red Cross to the suffering natives in Asia. The ladies in charge asked for one hundred garments. However through the generosity of the people of Shakopee, two hundred and fifty-eight garments, all in good condition, were received and shipped to the sufferers in a foreign land.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 25, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Towed Car Breaks Loose, Flows into Theatre Building

Being hauled in from an earlier accident that had cost its driver his life a car broke free from behind a tow truck and plowed into the front of the Shakopee theatre building early Saturday.

Missing only by inches the plate glass front of the Shakopee Jewelry the already wrecked car smashed several visible panels that touch the brick front of the structure, ripped off … trim and smashed the glass to a bill board.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 27, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

MVRP Use of Park Seen As Way to Speed Recreation Development

Shakopee Parks and Recreation Director George Muenchow said this week that he is strongly in favor of a current proposal by the Scott County Historical Society to undertake responsibility for development of Memorial Park in Shakopee…

The proposal of the Society, to have the city deed it, the park land and a large cornfield to the north, was made at an executive session of the council a few weeks ago, and at the council’s most recent meeting, city attorney Julius Coller was instructed to draw up necessary ordinances and papers. The ordinance will require two readings before it becomes effective.

If the Society is successful in its quest for more area, they will construct the planned interpretive center for the Minnesota Valley Restoration on the present park property, near the Millpond…

Memorial Park would continue to function as a park and picnic area for the residents of the Shakopee. When an increase in visitors makes the interpretive center area too congested, a picnic area will be constructed in a special park area across the millpond stream for area residents…

Completion of the center and the rest of the site is expected by 1976…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 25, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Developer: Cub, retail center to open in November

Work is scheduled to begin on a Cub Foods store in Shakopee in March, according to the new developer of a shopping complex planned west of Marschall Road and south of Vierling Drive.

Cub is expected to be open by next November, at the 33-acre Crossroads Center, a planned multi-tenant retail development.

Oppidan Investment Co., Minneapolis, is taking over the development and closed the deal last week after the first developer, Shakopee Associates L.L.P., Edina, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.

Oppidan president Joe Ryan said the 170,000-square-foot shopping center will include a SuperAmerica, Norwest Bank and Edina Realty among other tenants. Ryan said with the change in developers, the mix of retail businesses that will fill the remaining 60,000 square feet also will change…

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 23, 1897 Scott County Argus

An occasional glimpse of a bicycle about town keeps constantly in mind the fact that there is as yet no sleighing, but the frosted appearance of the irrepressible cyclist, as he humps himself along the highway, budding his anatomy into his overcoat as best he can, speaks eloquently of subzero weather.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 21, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

A number of ladies under the auspices of the American Red Cross are collecting articles of cast-off clothing to be sent to Asia for the suffering natives. They plan to have about one hundred or more garments and will pack and send them tomorrow from the rest rooms, where they have been delivered the past few days.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 18, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Condon Resigns City Position

R. C. Condon, on leave of absence from his duties as superintendent of Shakopee’s public utilities, has resigned his position, it was learned this week…

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 20, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Sweeney Elementary students show their parents what they have learned in phy-ed. The gymnastic course came to a close last week with the students giving demonstrations on the beam, mats, horse, and ropes. According to Jim Trelstad, phy-ed teacher, the course has lasted three weeks and was for students in grades one through six.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 18, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Scott County agrees to plan to share jail space

A two-year agreement between the Carver and Scott County sheriff’s departments, approved by the Scott County Board Dec. 9, will benefit both counties in fully utilizing and expanding the life of their jails, officials said.

The Scott County jail is experiencing overcrowding problems and is operating above its licensed capacity on an average of 10 inmates per day. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Corrections found the secure jail to not be in compliance with a variety of mandatory jail standards.

Meanwhile, the non-secure jai annex in Jordan has an abundance of minimum-security beds while the Carver County jail has an abundance of secure beds.

The agreement, approved by the Scott County Board on Dec. 9 will allow Scott County to house Carver County’s work-release and minimum-security inmates at the Jordan annex while Scott County would house a number of inmates who require secure custody at the Carver County jail.

Inmates will be exchanged on a one-for-one, day-for-day basis with no charge to either county. Transportation of the inmates will be provided by the county in which the inmates were sentences.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 16, 1897 Scott County Argus

The appearance of snowplows on the engines of the Omaha railway indicates that all is not quite so summerlike and milk everywhere as it is in this vicinage.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 14, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

The Al Tiedt farm, east of this city was visited by thieves Sunday night, who made a get-away with forty chickens, three turkeys and thirty grain sacks. They also helped themselves to the lens from Mr. Tiedt’s Ford. No clue to the prowlers has been found at the present time.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 11, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Renew Ball Park Lighting Project at Confab Monday

Effort to provide lights for Shakopee’s baseball park was renewed Monday night when members of the Baseball association and representatives of the city and local service and fraternal societies met at the city hall to consider the situation.

Harold Bigot, president of the ball association, presided at the session which considered adoption of a new approach to the proposed project, which has occupied public attention for several months.

Confident that a satisfactory solution will eventually be reached the group agreed to have another meeting at a date to be announced later.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 13, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Board Okays Move to Get Costs for District Offices

Informal board approval was given Monday to School Superintendent Dr. Robert Mayer to obtain costs for renovation of a portion of Central Elementary School to be used as District offices.

Plans, originally developed for the renovation were cut back substantially, and rather than put the entire project out on bids, the work will probably be conducted by local craftsmen.

This approach was recommended as the most economical by the school’s architectural firm which developed the plans for the offices without charge. Cost estimate of the project before the cutbacks, was $50,000.

Moving to the district office when it is completed will be the Superintendent and his secretary, Mrs. Gertrude Roepke, schools business manager Robert Martin, the school’s TIES office, the local branch of a school district cooperative using one computer service for scheduling, marks and payrolls.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 11, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Seagate plant proposed here

1,276 jobs could move to city if company gets tax-increment help

Seagate Technology is considering locating a $30 million to $40 million, 340,000-square-foot compute disc-drive design center and research and development facility in Shakopee’s Valley Green Business Park.

Seagate is seeking tax-increment financing assistance from the city and without it, will look elsewhere. Among the site contenders is the city of Savage, said Godfrey Mayer, director of corporate real estate for Seagate…

The facility would be built in two phases. Phase one would begin next spring with a two-story, 262,000-square-foot research and production facility with an estimated market value of $22.5 million. It would hold 715 workers.

Phase two would be completed by 2002 with an 80,000-square-foot expansion and an estimated market value of nearly $8 million. The second phase would bring about 511 jobs.

Additionally, Seagate anticipates adding 40 new full-time jobs during the first two years of operations.

At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Shakopee City Council voted unanimously to accept the development proposal in concept after a presentation by Roger Gaudette, a consultant representing Seagate. The council directed staff to move ahead with the proposal with the intent of having a finalized proposal by next Tuesday’s council meeting.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 9, 1897 Scott County Argus

A substantial plank walk has been laid by the city along the Bornarth residence property, thus making possible a trip to the Court House dry shod in all kinds of weather.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec.7, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Mrs. E. J. Pond informs us that she served lettuce from her garden at dinner on Thanksgiving and again the following day, December 1. Some record for Minnesota.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 4, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Red Owl Store Moves to New, Larger Quarters

In an advertisement in the Argus-Tribune today Leo Robeck, owner of the Red Owl Agency store here announces the opening of his new and enlarged store on Lewis street immediately adjacent to the former site the store had occupied since opening here in November, 1941.

At the close of business last Saturday night, as carpenters, plumbers, electricians and painters completed their respective jobs in the new quarters, Robeck and his staff set to work moving the stock and by Monday morning the new store was in operation…

Grocery, fruit and vegetable bins and shelves have been erected, modern refrigerator cases for fresh fruits and meats are in place and a spacious walk-in refrigerator has been installed in the large storage area provided on the west side of the store.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 6, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Medical Center Poses Another Rezoning Problem for Council

Another tough rezoning question was tossed into the lap of the Shakopee City Council Thursday, approximately 48 hours after it had rejected a similar proposal in the same general location along County Road 17.

The most recent rezoning, from residential to business use for a medical center, was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission Thursday night…

Dr. Donald Abrams presented plans for the construction of the medical center to the Planning Commission. He said the center, which will initially be manned by either four or five doctors, would be a one-story structure with a total floor space of some 7,000 square feet…

The center would be located approximately midway between Shakopee Avenue and 10^th Avenue, with an exit onto County Road 17…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 4, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Church catering to Spanish-speaking people forms here

The drop ceiling installed by the business that used to occupy the building has been removed, exposing the dark oak, intricately curved beams and a vaulted ceiling. Near the roof, bricked up from the outside, are two small stained-glass windows. With the beams, they remind people that the building once served the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Shakopee, from 1900 to 1967.

The pews are gone. The floor is stripped. The plaster has been removed, leaving a skeleton of two-by-fours that suggest what the rooms will be like when the remodeling is done. Now 30 years later, after serving as a bus terminal and office building, the building at 502 First Ave. E., its exterior freshly painted a sea-foam green, is once again serving as a church.

Officially, the denomination’s name is Iglesia del Dios Vivo, Columna y Adoyo de la Verdad, La Luz Del Mundo, or The Church of the Living God, Column of the Truth, the Light of the World. The sign outside the church refers to it simply as La Luz Del Mundo.

It is Shakopee’s only Spanish-speaking congregation and it formed two years go with 55 members. Today, the congregation numbers 80…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 2, 1897 Scott County Argus

Last Saturday Mathias Berens collected for St. Mark’s church over $700 pew rent, and on Sunday a fourth as much more, making a total of nearly $1,000. This amount in addition to the sums paid during the past year to the same account speaks well for the liberality and prosperity of the parish.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 30, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

New Bank to Open Dec. 2

Shakopee State Bank to Start Operating in Local Field Saturday Morning.

The Shakopee State Bank will be opened and ready for business next Saturday morning. The officers of the new bank are John W. Black, president, A. H. Nieter, vice president, O. E. Sahr, cashier and E. N. Bosch, assistant cashier…

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 27, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

New Stop Signs Placed on Fourth and Fifth Streets

To provide greater safety for pedestrians, especially children, six new “stop” signs were placed by the street department here last Tuesday.

At the intersection of Fifth and Lewis streets, at St. Mark’s church and the public school, signs were erected on each of the four corners obliging traffic to come to a complete stop when driving east or west on Fifth, or north or south on Lewis street.

On Fourth street, at the Atwood street intersection at St. Mark’s church and St. Francis hospital, “stop” signs were placed to alt traffic moving east and west on Fourth street.

The “stop” designations are new installations and motorists are warned to observe them.

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 29, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

City Council Denies Rezoning for Shopping Center Proposal

Zoning changes for a 13.6 acre shopping center development in Shakopee were denied by the Shakopee City Council Tuesday night.

The refusal to concur with the Shakopee Planning Commission recommendation to approve the zoning change from residential to business followed receipt of a planning firm’s report and recommendation that the area is more suitable for residential development.

Midwest Planning’s survey, contracted for by the City Council on the rezoning proposal, also recommended that the city develop a workable comprehensive plan.

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 27, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee office to house various area agencies proposed

Scott County commissioners last week reviewed a preliminary proposal calling for the construction of an office building in Shakopee to house various county, state, CAP Agency and Scott-Carver Educational Cooperative programs.

Under the proposal, the 50,000-square-foot building would be located at Valley Green Business Park. It would house most CAP Agency programs, various Scott-Carver Educational Cooperative programs, and the county’s Community Services Division, which includes Scott Family Net, child support and child-care offices, two Developmental Achievement Centers (one now located at Shakopee Town Square and the other in an old school in Lydia). It may also include the state Workforce Center, now located at Shakopee Town Square.

The board recently voted to merge the two DAC locations and this proposal would answer the question of where the two would be housed…

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 25, 1897 Scott County Argus

A. E. Walters has removed from C. A. Stevens’ residence to the house west of the Wm. Hinds residence property.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 23, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Work was begun the past week on the erection of a new three room bungalow for George Demers. Mr. Demers purchased the Galvin property some time ago and the old Galvin home has been razed to make room for the new structure. Wm. Engel is doing the carpenter work.

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 20, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City Now Has NYA Acreage

Shakopee now is owner of the 205-acre tract of land, formerly the NYA center, east of the city. Deed of the property was delivered to Mayr J. J. Cavanaugh by Fred Denfield, custodian of state property, at noon Tuesday.

In return for the deed Mr. Denfield received the city’s check to the State of Minnesota for $7,500 and the transaction was completed.

Sale of the property to the city was authorized by the 1947 legislature, but actual conversion of title was delayed for several months.

For a time it was believed, that portions of the property including the old “Murphy House” and the Indian mounds would be excluded from the description and reserved for the State Historical society. Only exceptions are highway right of way and borrow pit reservations.

City officials, it was learned have no immediate plans for the development of the tract which is occupied by several houses and industrial buildings. The houses are tenanted by families of war veterans under a lease originally negotiated with the state by the Shakopee Post of the American Legion. It is understood the housing facility will be continued and that there was no intention of disturbing the present arrangement.

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 22, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Architect Outlines Downtown Renovation

Plans for renovation of a portion of downtown Shakopee, including construction of an enclosed shopping mall on Lewis Street, were met with a generally favorable reaction by downtown businessmen Monday evening.

Richard Vosepka, architect for the proposed project, outlined two tentative plans for remodeling of building exteriors on the north side of First Ave. between Holmes and Lewis Streets.

One of the plans, the estimated cost of which is $196,730, would be involved the attachment of new facades to both the upper and lower portions of buildings, creating a uniformity of appearance for the entire block.

Another plan, apparently meeting with the most favor by businessmen and costing an estimated $110,000, would involve basically the same type of renovation as proposed in the other plan, with less emphasis placed upon remodeling of the upper portions of the buildings…

Also outlined Monday evening were tentative plans for a $3 million two-story enclosed mall on Lewis Street, which would be developed by a private agent. Vosepka said such an addition to the downtown area would be beneficial in that it would provide competition to any shopping center which might locate in Shakopee in the future.

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 20, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Unique monitor to be used to track stalkers

County first in U.S. to pinpoint offenders with satellite system

In the war against violence, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department has become the first in the nation to use a … and monitoring system to track stalking and domestic-abuse offenders.