Author: Wes Reinke

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 Sept. 24, 1896 Scott County Argus

At the rear of the coalsheds on the three lots in block 31, recently purchased of O. S. Brown, Frank Buch is putting in a new “Victor” Fairbanks scales to facilitate the handling of his coal business. John Poetz is in charge of the work. Besides making use of the coal sheds located on his newly bought property Mr. Buch will house considerable lumber int eh big lumber shed adjoining, formerly the property of Wm. J. Kauth.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 22, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Public Library Moved To Rest Rooms

The public library has been moved from the high school to the public rest rooms, which is centrally located and it will be more convenient for patrons to get and exchange books. Full arrangements have not been completed. It is presumed that the library will be open for distribution of books one day each week. Full particulars will be announced later.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 19, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

School Enrollment Tops Previous High

833 Pupils Registered in Shakopee’s Three Schools on Opening Days. Grades List 567, High School 266. Classes Held During Lunch Hour at High School.

Eclipsing all previous enrollment records and amplifying the responsibility which the community faces, 833 children were registered in Shakopee’s three schools when classes were resumed Monday, detailed reports revealed.

Opening day registration last year totalled 77 which was all-time high to that date. Largest increase or the current year was recorded at the public school where high school classes total 266 as compared to 250 last year, and the grade enrollment is 196 as compared with 170 a year ago. These figures are expected to increase, Superintendent Al N. Wurst said, when some delayed registrations are completed.

St. Mary’s parochial school reported a total of 137 registrants for the eight grades this year. The previous total was 149.

Registration records at St. Mark’s school showed 234 pupils listed in the eight grades, as compared to 227 last year.

High school enrollment figures list 72 freshmen, 73 sophomores, 64 juniors and 51 seniors…

To cope with the marked increase and resulting lack of ample classroom facilities, classes in high school continue uninterruptedly through the noon hour…

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 22, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Civil Defense To Begin Test Alerts

Shakopee will sound their sirens for a Civil Defense test on the first Wednesday of each month, Shakopee Mayor Ray Foslid announced this week. The first test will be held Oct. 6 with others continuing throughout the year. Officials remind residents that these are only tests.

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 19, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners favor county staffing plan

A plan that calls for Scott County staffing levels to grow by no more than 60 percent of the rate of growth in population in the county was met favorably by county commissioners last week in a Committee of the Whole session.

Discussion of the plan was led by Brian Nasi, associate administrator of employee relations. The plan is designed to keep within the county fiscal plan calling for growth to match county residential growth.

Under the plan, department requests for staff increases must be reviewed by the county administrator and turned over to the Organizational Development and Employee Relations staff and evaluated by an analysis of need.

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 Sept. 17, 1896 Scott County Argus

The new business block for John Berens & Co. at the corner of Holmes and First streets is going up rapidly of late. The walls of the first story are up and the second floor is being laid today. The building is to be a handsome one, and will be doubly valued as an addition to the town owing to the favorable site. It changes the whole appearance of that part of town.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 15, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Last week’s issue of the Catholic Bulletin contained quite a writeup of Shakopee giving the history of the Catholic parishes and school here and a writeup of several local business firms. Pictures of St. Mark’s church and school accompanied the writeup.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 12, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Chicago Firm Leases Old Mill Building

Tool Manufacturer Picks Shakopee Site After Viewing Several Others

After looking over sites in several states and other communities, H. V. Detman, president and owner of the Riverside Machinery company of Chicago, has selected Shakopee as the future home for his thriving business and will move his plant here Oct. 1, it was authoritatively disclosed this week.

Mr. Detmann has negotiated a long-term lease of the old four-story mill building on the south bank of the Minnesota river between Lewis and Sommerville streets, and a crew of workmen have already begun renovating and repairing the large brick structure which has been vacant for many years…

The Argus-Tribune’s informant described the new industry as a manufacturer of a metal forming tool used in sheet metal work. The firm enjoys not only a thriving nation-wide trade, but is also in the foreign market filling orders for overseas delivery…

Remodelling of the mill building includes laying of a concrete floor in the lower story, a new roof over the main building, lowering of ceilings, removal of the old grain bins and the general reconditioning of the entire structure. A two-story addition to the west side of the building is being razed.

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 15, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Downtown Revitalization Project to Be Proposed

A proposal for the beautification and revitalization of the Shakopee Downtown area will be held Thursday evening, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Shakopee Senior High School Auditorium.

The meeting, sponsored by the Shakopee Area Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, headed by Virgil Mears, will feature a presentation of a plan down by the Wayzata architectural firm of Vosejpka and Associates…

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 12, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Council formally sets referendums for Nov. 5

The Shakopee City Council last week formally adopted resolutions setting Nov. 5 referendums on a new fire hall and on an increase in the number of liquor licenses available in the city.

The council on Sept. 2 approved a ballot question asking for voter permission to issue $3.4 million in general obligation bonds for the fire hall, which would be located at the southwest corner of the intersection of County Road 16 and Vierling Drive…

The council last week also adopted a resolution to increase the number of on-sale liquor licenses from 12 – the maximum number allowed by state statutes based on population – to 17. The five additional licenses are proposed to accommodate potential development, including restaurants and hotels, city officials have said.

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 Sept. 10, 1896 Scott County Argus

The advantages of acetyline, the new illuminating gas, have been set forth during the week by a representative of the Buffington automatic generator, and two firms, Deutsch & Zettel, druggists, and P. J. Schwartz, general merchandise, have contracted for the lights. Being in the same business block they will need but one generator, and from this, at a cost of ½ cent an hour for each burner, their stores will be as brilliantly lighted as a full fledged electric light plant could do it. The drug store will use six burners, and Schwartz’s store, eight. The light is clear and intense, and almost as penetrating as solar light. It will cast a shadow on an incandescent lamp of ordinary power, and beside it an oil lamp looks like a glow worm. Four burners have been running in the Globe Hotel windows each evening, and the light casts a shadow more than half a block away. Four distinct shadows are thrown from an object in the street in front. Unless there are some deteriorating features not yet made known acetyline gas is a winner in towns where electricity has not made its way. The local firms mentioned received their outfit yesterday, and the piping will be done by Saturday.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 8, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Ralph Warner has purchased a home from Mrs. Mary Doody on Fifth Street and will take immediate possession.

75 Years Ago: From the Sept. 5, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Getting New Front

A new front is being placed in the Gamble store here. Work on the project began this week with the removal of the old entries and plate glass. When complete the front will have a single center entry to the store instead of two corner entries. New display windows and stages are included in the improvement plans.

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 8, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Depot No Longer Needed…

The fate of Shakopee’s railroad depot owned by Chicago-Northwestern Railroad Company will be decided in the next several months by the Public Service Commission. The railroad company is asking permission from the commission to abandon the Shakopee depot and utilize a consolidated station in the Valley Industrial Park area. A public hearing is slated for 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, in the Public Service Commission’s office to hear pro’s and con’s on the move.

25 Years Ago: From the Sept. 5, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee to be among top-growing school districts

School districts in Shakopee, Chaska and Prior Lake are expected to be among the top 10 in enrollment growth in the next two years, according to the Metropolitan Council.

In a report released last week, the Met Council said that while some school district in the outer-ring schools and those in Minneapolis and St. Paul will experience significant growth in enrollment, other districts, mostly in the inner-ring of suburbs, will show a decline…

Lakeville, with a 1994-95 enrollment of 6,790, is expected to be the fastest-growing school district, increasing by 1,875 students by the 1997-98 school year, or by about 27.6 percent. Chaska is second on the list, with its current enrollment of 5,436 expected to mushroom by 1,219 students, an increase of 22.4 percent. Shakopee is eighth on the list, with its 1994-95 enrollment of 2,941 expected to grow by 383 students, an increase of 13 percent. Prior Lake-Savage completed the list, with its 3,840 enrollment expected to grow by 352, an increase of 9.2 percent.

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 Sept. 3, 1896 Scott County Argus

Second street for a distance of three blocks west from Holmes is undergoing repairs that are of the best kind of road building. The sandy bed has been properly scraped and graded, and upon this finely broken rock from the lime quarries has been deposited, ton after ton, until the top is nearly or quite level with the Omaha track. The road will get better instead of worse with the lapse of time and will be bearing up the traffic of the town fifty years from today. The same plan of work used on Holmes from Second to Third streets would give an excellent road up the hill for all vehicles, from a bicycle to a stone dray. It is to be hoped this can be done with the present appropriation.

100 Years Ago: From the Sept. 1, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Mrs. Sidney Dierberger and Mrs. C. C. Andrews of this city have been appointed by the State Highway Commission to take a traffic census on the Minnesota highway for one week, beginning last Sunday. The ladies are stationed on the highway, in east Shakopee, near the Mrs. Beggs home, from 6:30 in the morning until midnight every day. The daily traffic is from 700 to 1,000 cars, while last Sunday 1,800 cars passed over the road.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 29, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Valley Bakery In New Location

After many months of planning and waiting for new equipment Elmer Dahl announced this week that he is moving the Valley Bakery to its new location in the M. J. Berens building on First street.

Mr. Dahl said he expected to have the new plant in operation by Sept. 3. The plant at the present location on Lewis street will close Saturday, Aug. 31.

In the … the newly installed equipment at the new site will be put in position to resume operation, Mr. Dahl said. Announcement of the move is made in the advertisements in the Argus-Tribune today.

50 Years Ago: From the Sept. 1, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

First Ground Broken at Valley Industrial Park

The first groundbreaking at Valley Industrial Park in the area of Eagle Creek just merged with Shakopee was held last week.

Officials of the Conklin Company, along with representatives of the industrial park developers and the contractors for the new building met for the ceremony.

Conklin Co., a Minnesota-based manufacturer and distributor of cleaners, sealers, wetting agents and lubricants, will construct a two-story light industrial building of concrete block faced with brick.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 29, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

County justice center is on track for construction in ‘97

Project manager Gregg Davies gave Scott County commissioners an update on the county’s justice center project last week.

The justice center architect, Wold Architects, held meetings in July with representatives of various county departments to discuss space needs. The results were summarized for the Justice Center Planning Committee, the county Space Team (an internal committee composed of the associate administrator of internal services, the maintenance engineer, and the central services manager), and the Executive Team (County Administrator Gary Cunningham, six associate administrators, the court services director and library director).

The Justice Center Planning Committee has received square footage opinions based on the space needs findings, and will make a recommendation later to the County Board.

County officials hope to begin construction next spring, with completion scheduled about a year later. That would be followed by remodeling of the courthouse.

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 Aug. 27, 1896 Scott County Argus

The members of the Board of Education of the Union School have been busy this week and the results of their labor will be of far-reaching benefit to the school. The southeast room of the second floor has been fitted up for a recitation room, and Prof. Walter will be given an assistant. This has been deemed necessary as the school is now doing more than two years of High School work and the prospects are favorable for admission to the State board next year. Among the graded schools of the state Shakopee and Burnsville now rank highest. The appropriation of $200 from the state has been received, and with $10 from the library fund has been expended in a valuable microscope, a new set of the International Encyclopaedia, a physical apparatus, and supplementary text books.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Jos. Ploumen has installed a new dough mixer into his up-to-date bakery.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 22, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

St. John’s Lutheran Parish Plans Construction Project

Plans for improving and enlarging St. John’s Lutheran church and the erection of a parish hall are under consideration by parishioners and their pastor the Rev. Norbert Augst, it was learned.

Members of the parish have voted to launch the project and an architect has been employed to prepare preliminary plans for submission to the parish before a final decision is reached.

A school addition to the north end of the church which will nearly double the present making capacity of 140, and a 32×40 foot parish hall attached to the east side of the church are included in the plans…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee and Northern Eagle Creek Consolidated

City Area to Be 24 Square Miles

The City of Shakopee and the 21 northernmost sections of Eagle Creek Township will be consolidated, according to a decision by the Minnesota Municipal Commission announced early Tuesday afternoon.

Shakopee and the affected portion of the township will, following an election of Mayor and Council, comprise a municipality of approximately 24 square miles and 8,500 citizens.

The new borders of Shakopee will be Savage on the East, County Road 79 on the west, the Minnesota River to the north, and a power line running just north of County Road 76 on the south. The southerly border has two small jogs, one around the Prior Lake Indian Reservation, and the other Pike Lake area…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 22, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

BHS buys care facility being built on city medical campus

The 51-bed long-term and transitional care facility under construction at the SouthValley Health Campus in Shakopee has been acquired by one of the owners of St. Francis Regional Medical Center.

Benedictine Health System (BHS), Duluth, announced the purchase from Health Dimensions Inc., of Cambridge, last week…

The facility will have 20 transitional-care beds designed for people who require extended recovery or rehabilitation time but not hospitalization. That would include those who have had orthopedic procedures or strokes, as well as some trauma patients. The remaining 31 beds will be for long-term care.

The long-term care portion of the facility will be divided into three small “pods,” with private and separate rooms that have large windows overlooking accessible courtyards. It will also have a private family meeting room and a large dining room…

St. Gertrude’s is scheduled to open in November.

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 Aug. 20, 1896 Scott County Argus

M. A. Deutsch and wife will occupy the rectory of St. Peter’s parish on or about Sept. 1^st. The residence they vacate, formerly the home of Dr. J. G. Newell, will, we understand, be occupied by G. L. Nye and family.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Many Improvements at St. Mark’s Church

Improvements by St. Mark’s parish do not stop. This year the door, transoms and rear stained windows were put in place and make the window part of the church a complete artistic whole, the like of which one will hardly find in Minnesota. Sidewalk, curbing and boulevarding on north side of church block now encloses and puts the final touch in cement improvement around the church block. It is the first block in the city properly curbed and boulevarded.

Last week outside woodwork on the church received new coats of paint and this week all schoolrooms and hallways are being calsomined and thoroughly cleaned for the beginning of the new school year. The interior of the parish meeting hall has been entirely renovated. Graveling of the main road inside St. Mark’s cemetery is now finished and an addition to the cemetery is being surveyed and staked out.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 15, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City Power System Is Club Topic

Municipal Power System Needs Major Changes, Commercial Club Told

More information on another problem facing the community was presented to the Shakopee Commercial club last Wednesday night when R. C. Condon, superintendent of the city’s electric light department, gave a detailed account of the present condition of the municipal power distributing system…

In his discussion of the city’s power system Condon explained that because of the present tremendous demand for electrical energy vital portions of the distribution equipment have become grossly inadequate.

He referred chiefly to the switchboard panel installed in the power house in 1901. Because of its inadequacy the entire distribution system is threatened with failure and rendered inefficient, he pointed out. Low capacity of circuit breakers which protect the system from over-load during electrical and wind storms also impose a very real danger of fire in the power house, he explained…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Vote on County Building Alternatives Set for November

“Let the People Decide”…Building Committee Recommendation

Scott County voters will be asked to make the decision on what the county should do about its space crisis during the November election.

County Commissioners voted 4-1 to place the question of a new county building and revisions to the present courthouse on the ballot, including three alternative plans.

The commissioners decision Tuesday morning followed a meeting of the Scott County Citizens Building Committee Monday night at which the three alternative building proposals were developed and the recommendation made that the question be placed on the November ballot.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 15, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

City to acquire Scott County roads

Shakopee is likely to receive jurisdiction over several portions of county roads by the end of this year.

The county intends to turn over the following to the city:

* County 16, from Highway 300 to County Road 17.

* County Road 18, from the new County Road 18 to Highway 101.

* County Road 72, from County Road 79 to County Road 17.

* County Road 77, from the Shakopee Bypass to Sixth Avenue…

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 Aug. 13, 1896 Scott County Argus

C. F. Cook has sold the Globe Hotel to Chas. Wicke of St. Peter. Mr. Wicke and family took possession last night.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Public Playground Will Open Today

The playground committee announces that the public playground in Holmes Park will be formally opened today. Beginning next Monday Misses Marjorie Marx and Antoinette Fischer will give instruction in directed play at the playground on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Miss Marx took a course in playground work and the children will have the benefit of her direction on those days. On other days the playgrounds will be supervised by members of the Home Economics Club.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 8, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

4-H Fair Cancelled Because of Polio

Scott County Agricultural Society Halts Plans for Annual Shakopee Event After Consultation With Public Health Authorities

Cancellation of the annual Scott County 4-H fair at Shakopee because of the prevalence of infantile paralysis has been announced by the officers of the Scott County Agricultural society following discussions with health authorities.

In announcing the decision of the officers E. T. Schumacher, secretary-manager of the Agricultural society, … the following bulletin:

“Owing to the prevalence of ‘polio’ in this section of the state and realizing that our exhibitors, etc., come mostly from among children and in line with the prevailing idea of not congregating in large numbers, it has been decided by the Scott County Agricultural society, to postpone indefinitely the Scott County fair which was to be held at Shakopee August 19-20-21, 1946. It is with deep regret that we must disappoint such great numbers of our 4-H clubs throughout the county, as well as those children who have prepared exhibits for the school section of the fair but it is felt that this precaution is necessary to prevent spread of this dread disease.”

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

County Space Problem Unanswered, Three Alternatives Under Study

Which way the county will move to solve their space dilemma was still very much undecided following a meeting of the County Citizens Building Committee, the County Board of Commissioners, county officials and architects Tuesday night.

Three alternative plans were discussed at length, but no agreement as to which was the best solution was reached…

The alternatives discussed were:

1. To construct an office building on the 20 acres site to the south of Shakopee, renovating the first floor of the court house for county courts facilities. This plan would entail moving the offices of county assessor, auditor, register of deeds and treasurer into temporary quarters.

2. Construct a county office building on the present courthouse square site, renovating the first floor of the court house for county courts facilities.

3. Construct an addition to the present public safety building for county courts facilities, locating the county offices currently dispersed around the county in the vacated judicial facilities on the first floor of the courthouse, and plan for future county office building on the new 20 acre site. This plan, as opposed to the first two, would return the county welfare department to the courthouse facility…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 8, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Bilotta resigns from city position

Community Development Director V. Paul Bilotta has resigned his position with the city of Shakopee. The City Council accepted his resignation on Tuesday. His last day with the city will be Aug. 16.

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 Aug. 6, 1896 Scott County Argus

Work has commenced on the new brick block to be erected by John Berens & Co., but owing to lack of unemployed men during the harvest season it has not been very vigorously pushed this week. On Monday the work of excavating will be begun in earnest, and from then on the block will be pushed to rapid completion. From the plans drawn by Architect Fritz Rohlfs, it is learned that the structure will be 27×80 feet in size, two stories high. The length will be along First street, and this has been so skillfully designed by Mr. Rohlfs that it, as well as the front, will be attractive. The length is divided into five parcels, the center one of which contains three windows in the second story and is surmounted by a cornice. The others contain one window each on the second floor. There are double doors in the rear panel. The entrance will be similar to that in the How block, save that the second story will come out flush with the corner and be supported by an iron pillar and at the outer angle of a flag-stone seven feet square. The Holmes street front will be of plateglass and a plate glass show window will also grace the First street side at the front. For the present the interior of the second story will remain unfinished. Altogether the new block will be a handsome addition to the business portion of the town.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Local Flour Mill Is Ready To Run Again

After being closed down for several months on account of business conditions, Shane Bros. & Wilson’s big local flour mill is ready to resume operations at full capacity just as soon as the necessary wheat arrives at the mill…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 1, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Snow Plow Builders To Move Plant Here

Two Corporations Lease Three Buildings at Former NYA Site East of City. To Start Moving Aug. 5 and Expect To Be in Operation Within 30 Days

That Shakopee is to have another industry which manufactures snow removal units was verified by Mather Garland, treasurer and manager of the corporations, who was here this week completing arrangements for moving the manufacturing equipment to three buildings on the former NYA site east of the city.

The products, known as “Roto Wing” and “Roto Plow” have been on the market for several years and are enjoying a heavy demand in every snow state in the union, Garland said. For the past four years the units have been manufactured at Mound but have limitations on plant expansion made it necessary to find more advantageous quarters.

Learning of the availability of the NYA buildings, now owned by the state of Minnesota, officers of the industry were successful in securing a one-year lease, with an option for a two-year extension, from the state and will move to the new location Aug. 5.

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Funds Sought for Unique Drug Education

‘Project Educate’

Federal funds are being requested through the Governor’s Crime Control Commission to initiate a unique drug educational program in the 13 school districts of Scott and Carver County according to Scott-Carver Director of Court Services Richard Mulcrone.

The request is for $19,320, which will be utilized in training a corps group of 700 people. “They will become a strike force in their individual communities for ongoing programs to combat drug and chemical abuses,” Mulcrone said.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 1, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

EDA formally adopts joint-powers agreement with HRA for Block 3,4

Two weeks after approving negotiations between the city and county, the Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) last week formally adopted a joint-powers agreement, with the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for redevelopment of Blocks 3 and 4 downtown…

125 Years Ago: From the July 30, 1896 Scott County Argus

Shakopee will have another fine business block forthwith. “All things come to him who waits,” it is said, and the corner site of the ill-fated American House of years ago will again be graced by a good-size structure. This property at the corner of Holmes and First streets was purchased several years ago by John Berens & Co., and while they have for some time contemplated building, it was not until this week that they decided to take the step. On Tuesday Mr. Berens paid $200 on his contract for brick, and yesterday the first load was delivered. The new block will, we understand, have an entrance on both streets, and its dimensions will be 25×100 feet, two stories high. Work will begin at once.

100 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Work commenced Tuesday on the Minnesota river bridge here which is being replanked and repaired under the supervision of the state highway department. It is a much needed improvement and this bridge has been a rough one to travel over for some time.

75 Years Ago: From the July 25, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Two Burglary Attempts Here

Courthouse, Elevator Entered During Night; Small Loss Reported

Attempts to burglarize the Scott county treasurer’s office in the courthouse and the Apple River Mill company office in Shakopee late Saturday or early Sunday were reported by Sheriff J. P. Wermerskirchen Monday.

Entrance to the courthouse is believed to have been made through the basement entry on the north side of the building.

The treasurer’s office door was jimmied and drawers ransacked, but the vault was undamaged.

According to Barbara Meyer, acting treasurer, about $15 in petty cash was stolen.

The Apple River office is also believed to have been entered through a door although several windows there showed signs of having been tampered with. There two drawers were rifled but no loss of cash was reported…

50 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Scott Signal Contract Okayed

Estimated to Cost $35,000…

One more step in the continuing City Council program to provide control of traffic on First Avenue in Shakopee was taken Tuesday night when Council members formally approved a contract with the State Highway Department to install a signal light at the intersection of First and Scott Street.

The signal had been petitioned for by area residents and businessmen for years and was recently given priority above similar requests for signalization on the eastern portion of First Avenue…

25 Years Ago: From the July 25, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Hospital moves; farewell open house is set for old St. Francis building

On Wednesday, after 58 years at its Fifth Avenue location, St. Francis Regional Medical Center moved to its new home, patients and all.

The new hospital is on the SouthValley Health Campus, located east of Marschall Road and south of the Shakopee Bypass.

For those feeling melancholy about the old hospital building, St. Francis has planned a farewell open house next Thursday, which the public is invited to attend…

125 Years Ago: From the July 23, 1896 Scott County Argus

Messrs. Henry Vierling and Ed Haack have made arrangements to open a barber shop in the Mergens block on Holmes street. The outfit they propose to put in is of the best, and includes revolving chairs, porcelain bath tubs, and all new furniture. They hope to be ready for business by Tuesday of next week.

100 Years Ago: From the July 21, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Woman Wins Place on the Shakopee School Board

The annual school election for the Shakopee Independent School District, was held at the high school last Saturday evening and around an unusual amount of interest due to the fact that a woman had filed for membership on the school board. Contrary to the usual experience, a large crowd of voters turned out for the school election this year and a total of 356 ballots were cast.

The terms of Peter Ploumen and Dr. H. W. Reiter, as members of the board, had expired and both were candidates for re-election. In addition to the old members, the women had a candidate in Mrs. H. C. Schroeder who had also filed. The election proved to be a closely contested one and resulted in the election of Mrs. Schroeder to succeed Dr. Reiter and the re-election of Mr. Ploumen. The vote stood, Ploumen 220, Schroeder 199 and Reiter 187.

75 Years Ago: From the July 18, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

New Hearing on Rail Crossing Closing Is Assured Shakopee

Although no definite date has been set, H. E. Flynn, city attorney, has been assured that another hearing on the proposed closing of slow grade crossings of the Omaha railway here will be held before any further action on the matter is taken, it was learned.

The hearing is to be conducted by the Railroad and Warehouse commission, whose recent order closing the crossings to vehicular traffic evoked a resolution from the city council opposing the closing order.

50 Years Ago: From the July 21, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Long Wait for Highway Bridge Is Indicated

Hopes for a bridge across the Minnesota River and the construction of an upgraded Highway 169 south of Shakopee within the next five or six years received a considerable jolt at the last Shakopee Council meeting.

The bad news came in the state highway department commissioner’s answer to a resolution passed by the Shakopee City Council June 8 which asked for some answers on the timetable and plans for construction of Corridor D highway plan.

The letter from Commissioner Ray Lappegard did, on the positive side, affirm that the System D concept has been approved, but the rest of his message was not received with much enthusiasm by council members.

The communication indicated that none of the work necessary to development of System D has been scheduled prior to 1976, but that it is anticipated that the major part of these improvements will be scheduled prior to 1980…

25 Years Ago: From the July 18, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

EDA is cautious on Blocks 3-4 decision

Approves negotiation of joint-powers pact with county HRA

With some commissioners openly apprehensive about the step they were taking, the Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) last week unanimously moved to negotiate a joint-powers agreement with the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for redevelopment of Blocks 3 and 4 downtown.

The HRA is considering senior housing for part of the development…

The HRA’s housing development would be combined with ground-level retail outlets, an estimated 37,000 square feet…