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Remember When – April 20, 2024
150 Years Ago: From the April 23, 1874 Shakopee Argus
The Old and New Drug Stores have consolidated in Strunk & Son. E. G. Halle & Co. have passed out of existence as dealers in drugs.
125 Years Ago: From the April 20, 1899 Scott County Argus
John Mertz will remove his saloon from his present quarters in the Kohls & Berens block to the fine large store in the Busse block, two doors east, beginning business there about the first of May. Kohls & Berens are planning to remodel their place of business, taking in the room vacated for use as a clothing department. This work will be done this season, and later on they hope to have their entire block in use as one store.
125 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
Last Saturday evening about 7 o’clock fire was discovered in the large show window of Berens & Grafenstatt, and for about fifteen minutes there threatened to be a thorough gutting of the building, but the prompt action of Mr. Berens and a few of the firemen, who were promptly on hand, confined the flames to the stock that filled the windows. The damage to the stock and plate glass will probably amount to $600 or $700.
100 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1924 Shakopee Argus
E. G. Darsow, one of the members of the committee appointed to circulate among the property owners of whiteway district No. 1 which embraces the business district of Shakopee, reported that the signatures of nearly every property owner had been obtained and the committee was instructed to present the petition to the city council for final action. So that it is now almost a foregone conclusion that the whiteway socalled will be installed in the very near future.
100 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
Leonard Van Sloun is contemplating building a new home, the plan for which has been furnished by the Henry Simons Lumber Co. The home when built will be 24×26 two story, stucco, with 3 rooms on the first floor and 3 rooms and bath on the second floor. It will be strictly modern including a heating plant. Simons Lumber Company is also preparing a plan for Chas. Schesso, who is contemplating building just as soon as he secures a suitable lot.
75 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
Fire Damages Shed
Believed to have started from burning rubbish, fire damaged a storage shed at the rear of the M. J. Berens store and Valley bakery Wednesday morning. Contents of the shed included old shelving and dry goods storage cabinets. The east wall of the building was extensively burned, and the contents water soaked. Firemen promptly extinguished the blaze.
75 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
2 New Doctors Coming June 1
Dr. L. J. Heinz and his wife, Dr. Ivy Heinz have acquired the practice of Dr. J. C. Klein, local physician and surgeon, it was announced this week.
Their coming will give the city the unusual combination of a man and his wife, both practicing physicians and surgeons. They also purchased the home of Dr. Klein. At present, the Heinz’ are in Wabasso, Minnesota, but expect to arrive in Shakopee about June 1. They have three children six, three and 14 months old…
50 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
Courthouse bids appear to exceed project estimates
Bids that appeared to far exceed the expected cost of a new county courthouse were opened by the Scott County Board of Commissioners.
Combining the lowest base bids for general, mechanical and electrical construction produced a price tag of roughly $2.67 million. The county had planned on spending just under $2 million when it presented courthouse plans to voters.
The county asked for bids that allowed it to put together various features of a new building. By eliminating some of the features, the county could get below the base bid to about $2.31 million…
25 Years Ago: From the April 22, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
Technology needs described to board
With new schools on the horizon and the next millennium just around the corner, the Shakopee School District needs to streamline its computer systems and equipment to accommodate change, consultants told School Board members last week.
Representatives from Epic USA, hired to complete an audit of the district’s technology resources, offered a series of recommendations to board members at their regular meeting April 12.
Among the firm’s suggestions were upgrades in staffing, creation of a district web page, additional technology training for staff, and a gradual transition from slower, outdated computers to faster, more powerful systems. Consultants also recommended adding support staff to assist Technology Coordinator Leon McNellis, who is stretched thin…
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.
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Remember When – April 13, 2024
150 Years Ago: From the April 16, 1874 Shakopee Argus
Mr. Woodward, the party who is to build the new steam mill in Shakopee is about to commence operations. A bonus of $3,000 has been raised. The stone building known as Reis’ Mill will be enlarged, and the new mill located at that point.
125 Years Ago: From the April 13, 1899 Scott County Argus
The work of tearing down and removing the old McMullen store was begun this morning, and from that date the contractors, Aug. Woehling & Co., will push the construction of the new brick block to rapid completion.
125 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
John Hirscher is improving his residence this week by adding to it another story in height, making it now a two-story building, which will greatly improve its appearance and double the space of its living apartments.
100 Years Ago: From the April 18, 1924 Shakopee Argus
Enlarge Pelham Hotel
John J. Cavanaugh, the enterprising proprietor of the Pelham hotel, this week let the contract to Fred Rohlfs for a three floor 24 by 29 addition to be added to the hotel on the west. The new part will contain twelve rooms, eleven of which will be sleeping rooms, and the outside walls will be of cream color brick veneer to conform to the present building.
The new part will be strictly modern, Mr. Cavanaugh informs us, with steam heat and hot and cold water in the bedrooms and a drinking fountain on the second floor.
Tho entrance to the hotel will be remodeled, with a vestibule opening into the present office and a new front door replacing the one now in use. A public telephone booth will be placed on the first floor.
Work on the building will start this week and is to be completed June 10…
100 Years Ago: From the April 17, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
Stove Co. Offices to Be Moved Here
General Offices of American Range and Foundry Co. to Be Located in Shakopee
The entire management and office forces of the American Range and Foundry Co., which at present are located in Chicago and Minneapolis, will be transferred to this city. This change, which will be in effect by May 1, will make the organization local in every sense…
75 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
New Siren Under 30-Day Test Here
A new and unfamiliar note penetrated the air hereabouts Thursday noon when for the first time a modern type alarm atop the city hall was given a chance to sound its “siren call.” The unit, under test, was installed on a 30-day trial basis to determine if firemen long distances from the fire station, could better hear the pitched shriek…
The device installed last week is not directional but is so designed as to permit the sounds waves to fan out over a complete circle, and its higher pitch is believed to have greater carrying force.
75 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
Kreuser Named President Of City Council At First Meeting Tuesday
Alderman Lawrence Kreuser was named president of the Shakopee City Council when that group held their organizational meeting at the city hall Tuesday night.
Roy Schulz, third ward alderman, was named vice-president of the council. Kreuser, who served as vice-president during the past few years, succeeds Ray Siebenaler in the presiding officer’s chair. Voted on both president and vice-president were by split 5-3-1 ballots…
50 Years Ago: From the April 17, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
Shopping Center names second major tenant; faces annexation
A second major tenant for the Minnesota Valley Mall Shopping Center has been announced by Watson Centers, developers of the project.
George A. Clark and Son, a Minneapolis based wholesale distributor, has agreed to open a Promart Home and Farm Center in the shopping center which is planned to be opened in 1975…
25 Years Ago: From the April 15, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
City argues case against increase in train speeds
The city of Shakopee is making good on its promise to fight Union Pacific Railroad’s decision to increase the speeds of its trains through town. In a hearing held in St. Paul, the city argued before an administrative law judge that state and federal laws prohibit excess speeds through downtown areas.
In December, when Union Pacific told the Shakopee City Council it planned to increase the length and the speeds of its trains from 10 to 30 mph, Mayor Jon Brekke told railroad officials that the city would fight the move for safety reasons.
The Shakopee case is believed to be the first time the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has been asked to have a ruling made on such an issue. The hearing began last week and was expected to wrap up on Wednesday of this week…
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.
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Remember When – April 6, 2024
150 Years Ago: From the April 9, 1874 Shakopee Argus
Last week the Merchants and Mechanics National Bank was defrauded out of $3,600 on a forged certified check.
125 Years Ago: From the April 6, 1899 Scott County Argus
John McMullen began the first of the week the task of removing his stock into the How block, and he is now waiting upon his customers there, pending the erection of his new brick block. The old building has been bought by Nic Annen, who will tear it down and make use of the material in building a machine shop. The passing of the old building naturally rouses old memories, but improvement is the order of the age, and improvement finds little room for sentiment. There is one quite remarkable thing in Mr. McMullen’s business career in the old building, and that is, that for thirty three years he has not failed to be at the store every single day when he was in town; and his days of absence from town have been quite inconsiderable in number.
125 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
J. J. Ring has this week taken possession of the county poor house.
100 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1924 Shakopee Argus
Work on Cottage No. 3 at the Women’s reformatory was begun this week by Contractor Jos. Pavek of New Prague. Lumber for the building is furnished by H. Simons Lumber Co. and other building material by Schroeder Brick & Lime Mfg. Co.
100 Years Ago: From the April 10, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
Local Postoffice Renovated Recently
Redman and Bierbaum, owners of the postoffice building in this city, completed last week, the renovation and redecorating of the interior of the local postoffice.
According to the suggestion of P. J. Schwartz, local postmaster, the rear of the building was enlarged twelve by twenty feet. This space was added in the interest of the public as it will enable the office clerks and route men to handle the increasing business of the office more efficiently and promptly.
J. H. Stans of this city repapered and painted the walls and woodwork and the office is now one of the finest of its class in the state of Minnesota.
75 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
River Floods Farms, Parks
Swelled by local melting snows and heavy rains farther up stream, the Minnesota river this week reached its highest flood stage here since 1918, authorities disclosed.
Starting last Friday it rose at the rate of a half inch per hour and soon burst its banks to spread its waters over vast acreages of low lands on the north and south sides of the stream…
75 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
Czaia, Shakopee’s New Mayor, Is One Of Youngest In State
With the election of Clarence Czaia Tuesday, the City of Shakopee now has one of the youngest municipal chief executives in Minnesota. Czaia or “Kinney” as he was universally known when a first mayor for the Shakopee Indians last year, was 28 years of age February 11…
50 Years Ago: From the April 10, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
Voters okay new school by 2-1; pool passes too
Shakopee will get its badly needed new Junior High School now because voters approved a $4.45 million bond issue last Thursday by nearly a two to one margin.
The heavy voter turn-out showed 1,411 in favor of the proposal with 769 opposed.
A second question on the ballot proposing construction of a swimming pool to be built along with the school also passed. That vote was 1,230 to 938. Value of the pool was set at $245,000…
25 Years Ago: From the April 8, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
Shakopee Showcased April 19
New acts to mark 25 years
Riding a wave of popularity which has drawn thousands to Canterbury Park for one evening each April, Shakopee Showcase is celebrating its silver anniversary.
The communitywide open house, sponsored by Shakopee Parks and Recreation, will begin 30 minutes earlier this year to allow area residents more time to visit the many entertaining and educational exhibits. The event will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19.
What began as a simple registration period for youth activities 25 years ago has evolved into a spirited springtime festival, featuring food, music, dance numbers, even jugglers.
Attendance is expected to exceed 4,000 again this year, with more than 70 non-profit and service organizations signed up to demonstrate programs and present information. This marks the 10th year the event has been held at Canterbury Park…
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.
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Remember When – March 30, 2024
150 Years Ago: From the April 2, 1874 Shakopee Argus
The German Lutheran Church has been enclosed with a new fence. Its grounds are valuable and pleasant, and their beauty would be much improved by a few shade trees.
125 Years Ago: From the March 30, 1899 Scott County Argus
Hubert Marx has disposed of his saloon business, and will in the future devote more time to the enjoyment of a well earned vacation and pursuit of renewed health. Ever since the 29th day of June, 1865, or, almost 34 years, Mr. Marx has been in the business, in the same building, and he has seldom been absent from his daily work in all that time. He retires from active business life with the respect and friendship of all citizens. The new proprietor, Mr. Anton Ries, is from New Market, and is a brother of Jos. G. Ries, of the city meat market, and George H. Ries, of the Central market. He is a young man of pleasing address with good prospects for success.
125 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
Last Saturday a change was made in the drug firm of Deutsch & Zettel of this city by the purchase of the latter’s interests in the business by Mr. Deutsch, who will hereafter conduct the business alone. We have not as yet learned what Mr. Zettel intends to do in the future.
100 Years Ago: From the April 4, 1924 Shakopee Argus
Joseph Hontz has bought the building in East Shakopee formerly known as the soap factory from A. C. Schroeder. The price was $1000. Mr. Hontz will renovate the building and move there later in the spring.
100 Years Ago: From the April 3, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
Milwaukee Engine Is Derailed Here Monday
No. 206 east bound passenger train on the Milwaukee due at Shakopee at 7:19 a. m., derailed its engine on the Omaha railroad crossing in front of the St. Paul House last Monday morning, March 31, blocking the tracks from 8 a. m. until 11:15 a. m. All Omaha and Milwaukee trains due at Shakopee during this interval were delayed.
From what we learn the derailment was caused by ice in the frogs of the railroad crossing causing the Milwaukee engine to ride over the rails.
75 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
Mammoth Snow Plow Built Here
Believed to be one of the largest of its kind ever constructed, a mammoth V-type twin rotor snow plow, nine feet high and 13 feet wide, has been built by the Roto Plow company of Shakopee.
An experimental unit, the plow was designed and fabricated for Houghton county, Mich., to where it was shipped late last week…
75 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
Ask State Help On Holmes St.
Assistance of the state highway department in repairing Holmes street will be asked by the Shakopee City Council, President Ray Siebenaler and Street Committee Chairman Robert Wampach disclosed yesterday.
Pointing out that nearby state highway truck traffic has put heavy burden on both Holmes Street and Sixth Street, Siebenaler said, “it has been the custom of the state highway department to pay their share of street damages caused by highway detours in other communities, and we believe that Shakopee is entitled to the same consideration.”…
50 Years Ago: From the April 3, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
‘Name the park’ contest planned
The Shakopee Jaycees are sponsoring a “Name the Park” contest to help promote community involvement in the development of an athletic complex.
The park is located on Co. Rd. 15 near the swimming pool, and the Jaycees have been spearheading a drive for development of the land.
Several softball fields are now nearing completion and additional work is expected to be done on the park this season.
The Jaycees have put up a $30 savings bond as the prize for the person submitting the winning park name…
25 Years Ago: From the April 1, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
New life for old Ferry Bridge
It’ll connect trails with hikers, bikers, skaters
A new-and-improved version of the bridge that once served as Shakopee’s primary commuter link to north of the Minnesota River will be serving a different type of traveler this fall when the “new-old” Bloomington Ferry Bridge reopens…
Starting in February, dismantling work on the old bridge began. Eventually, it will be replaced by a 12-foot-wide paved bridge with an ornamental chain-link fence on the sides. The new bridge will link a trail from the north side of the river to the south. While the old bridge had a single pier in the center of the river, the new design will have supporting piers on each side of the bridge, just off the banks of the river. Leon Lillie, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) project engineer, said the new bridge will be between three and four feet higher above the water than the old bridge…
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.
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Remember When – March 23, 2024
150 Years Ago: From the March 26, 1874 Shakopee Argus
There are negotiations pending in railroad circles to establish a new through route from St. Paul to St. Louis by way of Shakopee and Sioux City.
125 Years Ago: From the March 23, 1899 Scott County Argus
The lobby of the St. Paul Hotel is being renovated by paint and calcimine laid on by the skilled hand of John Kreuser.
125 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
The Presbyterian church and congregation are requested to meet at the church Wednesday evening March 29, to make arrangements so that we may if possible commence building operations early in spring.
100 Years Ago: From the March 28, 1924 Shakopee Argus
Frank Koelzer, who recently moved to Shakopee from Carver, has bought a half interest in the Shakopee Ice Cream Manufacturing Co. from W. E. Redman and is now associated with the latter as a partner in his prosperous business.
100 Years Ago: From the March 27, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
The March number of “Sparks,” a monthly magazine published by the Minnesota State Automobile Association, carried an illustrated story telling of some of the most active members of the association. Among these was a splendid sketch of Miss E. K. Ries of this city. The cut showed Miss Ries in the act of nailing a sign on a guide post. Miss Ries is chairman of the Guide Post Committee of the State Automobile Association.
75 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
Senate Bill Asks for New Women’s Reformatory Site
A bill that would provide for the purchase of the buildings and acreage of the Mudbaden Sulphur springs near Jordan as a site for the state reformatory for women had been introduced in the state senate.
The bill, asking an appropriation of $200,000 provides for purchase of land and buildings and alterations of the structures on the site.
It is understood that if the bill is approved the present reformatory at Shakopee would become the center of the Youth Conservation commission which has recently been held unconstitutional by District Judge J. J. Moriarty.
75 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
Moriarty Must Take Long Rest
Because of an acute nervous condition caused by overwork District Judge Joseph J. Moriarty has been ordered by his physicians to take a two months’ rest. He is now at his home in Shakopee after having been in the New Prague hospital for the past two weeks.
During his absence, Judge Mark Nolan, Duluth, and Martin Nelson, Austin, will preside on the bench of the 8th judicial district. Judge Nolan will open the spring term of court at Chaska Monday…
50 Years Ago: From the March 27, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
Thielen to seek Sheriff’s post
Shakopee police chief R. G. “Pat” Thielen has formally announced his intention to run for Scott County Sheriff in the election next fall.
Thielen, who has headed the Shakopee police department the last years, made the decision public Tuesday morning.
In announcing his candidacy Thielen said he would base his campaign on four items: organized police administration; support for law enforcement at the local municipal level; coordination and cooperation among various law enforcement agencies; creation of a central county crime lab, and professionalism in county law enforcement…
25 Years Ago: From the March 25, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
Commercial moratorium idea nixed
Lawsuit threat loomed; Target store planned
Faced with the threat of a lawsuit by the landowner and developer that want to bring a Kmart store to the intersection of Vierling Drive and Marschall Road, the Shakopee City Council Tuesday backed off its plan to enact a moratorium on commercial development in the highway business (B-1) zone.
The council voted 4-0, with Councilor Jane DuBois absent, to table indefinitely the moratorium proposal. The city will proceed with a traffic study it intended to conduct during the moratorium, with the developers of the three undeveloped parcels at the intersection of Marschall Road and Highway 169 paying the cost.
The city had considered a halt to development in the area out of concern over traffic levels that would be generated by so-called big-box retailers that want to build. Along with Kmart’s plans for a 108,152-square-foot Big K store on the northeast corner of Highway 169 and Marschall Road, a developer representing Target has applied to build a 122,000-square-foot store and an unidentified 40,000 square-foot building at that intersection. The developer controlling the southwest corner of 169 and Marschall Road has indicated that Wal-Mart is interested in coming to Shakopee…
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.