Author: Wes Reinke

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Occidental Hotel

It has been known by most of our citizens that Mr. G. W. Gellenbeck commenced late in the season to put up a new hotel. Our readers will be a little surprised in what a short time he has completed it so as to be ready for occupancy. On Friday evening last the Occidental was thrown open to the public, and a right jolly time was had of it.

The Occidental is located on First Street at the corner of Sommerville Street…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 12, 1899 Scott County Argus

John Hilgers is digging a well to supply the two houses owned by Henry Hinds and located on Sommerville street north of the M.E. church. He has dug down to the rock a distance of forty feet, and next week will have the work completed by the Henry Huss well drilling company.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Attorney E. Southworth was in St. Paul Tuesday and Wednesday and argued the motion for a new trial in the case of First Nat’l Bank vs. estate of H. B. Strait, before the Supreme Court.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Harry Stans of Chaska is assisting his brother Hubert Stans for a few days this week in the decorating of the council rooms.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1924 Shakopee Argus

It is rumored that a local bus station may be established in the former Peoples Bank building at the corner of Second and Lewis streets. The location is central and would be an excellent site for the purpose.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Nurse for County is Assured

A county nurse for Scott county was assured Tuesday afternoon when the board of commissioners, acting on the request of a delegation representing the women’s organizations of the county, voted to inaugurate the program and name the necessary committee…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Hanson’s Remodel

Hanson’s Ice Cream Parlor is under going a new look. The interior of the building is being remodeled and redecorated so the establishment will be closed to business for a week or ten days while the work is being completed.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 9, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Monastery and barn to be added to Minnesota Valley restoration site

A monastery and a century old barn will soon be added to the Minnesota Valley Restoration site, east of Shakopee on Highway 101, according to Margaret MacFarlane, restoration director…

The barn will be added to the 1880 farm at the MVRP. It is a “beautiful thing” according to Mrs. MacFarlane and in good condition. There are six to seven inch hand made nails used as well as pegs to join the timbers.

Although now owned by Al Breimhorst, the barn was built by Irish settlers in the 1890’s.

The monastery, dwarfed by tall pines, is located near the St. Mary’s Purification church in Marystown…

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

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 1, 1874 Shakopee Argus

What has become of the once famous Shakopee Copper Mining Company? Why are they not at work sinking that shaft into the bowels of the earth?

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

George Theis, of Marystown, has purchased of the St. Croix Lumber company the lumber for a big granary, 40×70 feet in size with an additional shed 16 feet long. John T. Kreuser has the contract for the building, and work will be begun as soon as there is sufficient snow to make hauling possible.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

One of the latest improved talking machines, the ‘Graphophone’ has been placed in Otto Spielmann’s saloon recently. It is one of the most interesting and amusing, as well as the most wonderful machines ever invented.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 3, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

For Sale—About nine 10-acre plots located West of Shakopee’s city park, fair grounds and athletic field. Each plot has a frontage on the Minnesota river. The location of these plots is especially desirable. For price and particulars, communicate with Wm. Ryan, 1950 Dayton Ave., St. Paul.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee high school opens its conference season with a game in Dawson’s hall next Monday night, playing the Belle Plaine high school. In close succession ten games will be played, five here and five away, to determine the district winners. With its whole team from last year intact Shakopee is going to make bid for high honors. The game Monday will be well worth seeing. A fast preliminary will precede the regular game. The Shakopee team consists of the following: Edwin Cooper, captain, Fred Ring, Leo Hartmann, Howard Ries, Grant Lundberg, Roman Kopp, Walter Majerus, and Dale Chapman.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 30, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Fighters to Stage School for 800 in Shakopee

Plans for a fire school that is expected to attract nearly 800 firemen to Shakopee next July will be discussed at a committee meeting to be he held here early next month, H. J. Pass, Shakopee fire chief, disclosed this week…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 2, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Highway by-pass for Shakopee receives new emphasis

Plans for a highway by-pass to the south of Shakopee’s central business district and Valley Industrial Park took a step forward last week.

Local government officials, Metropolitan Council members and Highway Department representatives met before the Scott County Board of Commissioners last Thursday to discuss those plans.

The meeting resulted in a proposal to create a task force of the factions involved to formulate a specific route for the highway and an official map of the area…

The goal of the task force will be to designate a specific route for the by-pass which will be considerably narrower than the 2,000 foot corridor now indicated. The designated route will be used in an official map of the area which will have to be approved by each of the governments involved.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

County to have new treasurer, auditor in 1999

Scott County will have a new auditor and treasurer in 1999 following action by commissioners last week.

Meeting for the final time in 1998, the County Board on Dec. 22 appointed James Berg as the new county auditor and Michael Nguyen as county treasurer. Pat Boeckman was appointed county recorder, a position she won by election…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 29, 1898 Scott County Argus

The early sleighing created quite a boom in the wood market, and hundreds of cords have been hauled in and sold on the street at good prices. Herman Schroeder of the City Brick yard has already added a thousand cords to the long ranks in the wood yard in East Shakopee; and still it comes. He states that there have been as many as forty teams at his yard in one day. He has bought wood from forty five different parties, that is, contracted for considerable amounts from that number of farmers. He thinks there was a greater amount of wood cut last winter than usual owing to the light snowfall and the prevailing good prices. He is paying $2.25 for soft wood and $2.75 for oak, which is more than is offered in neighboring towns, hence the large amount marketed here.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 27, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The King Midas Milling Co. as usual played the generous roll of Santa Claus by giving all of their mill employees a Christmas gift and they also presented a goodly number of sacks of King Midas flour to various people and organizations about town in appreciation of their co-operation during the past year.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 23, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Five Ice Rinks Serve Fans Here

Shakopee skating enthusiasts are definitely not lacking in places to enjoy the sport this year—five municipal rinks are now in operation, Leonard Siebenaler, superintendent of parks and streets, announced this week.

Two of the rinks have been prepared in the recreation park near the Scout cabin; another is located on the south side of Shakopee avenue; a fourth in Holmes park, and the fifth on the vacant lot north of St. Mark’s school on West Third street.

Siebenaler, assisted by James Rein and members of the Shakopee fire department, got the skating areas in shape last week. All of the rinks were opened Friday night and have been in constant use since that time.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 26, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee’s downtown revitalization plans receive new emphasis

Plans for revitalizing Shakopee’s downtown business district advanced recently with the hiring of a development consultant firm.

Shakopee’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has been discussing plans and ideas for a new look downtown for several months, and the city has hired the consultants to get the project moving toward something concrete.

The new firm is The Hodge Stageberg Partners Inc., and the man who will work on the project is John Gravender.

Gravender has a series of meetings planned with local businessmen and community leaders during January to assess their views on the planning…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 24, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Despite city concerns, train speeds to increase

Officials from Union Pacific Railroad said its decision to increase the speed of its trains from 10 to 30 mph through Shakopee was good for both the city and the railroad.

The Shakopee City Council didn’t buy a word of it.

Mayor Jon Brekke told company officials at the Dec. 15 council meeting that the city would use every means at its disposal to reverse the railroad’s decision. The council voted unanimously to direct City Attorney Jim Thomson to research the city’s legal options…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 22, 1898 Scott County Argus

One of the prettiest of the many handsome window displays of the merchants for holiday week is that of L. Schaefer, who has constructed a grotto out of rolls of cotton of a light green color literally sprinkled with tinsel. In this are displayed many handsome pieces of jewelry, watches and silverware, and when at night it is lit up with bright gas jets, the effect is striking, and very pleasing to the eye.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 20, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Local Mill is Exporting Flour

The King Midas Milling Co., has temporarily converted its 1200-bbl. wheat mill into a rye mill and is now making rye flour in both of its Shakopee units.

The changing over process took about three days and necessitated recorrugating thirteen pairs of mill rolls at a big expense.

At the present time the mills are working on several large export orders, one of which is going direct to Hamburg, Germany.

For the past three weeks, the mills have been operating at full capacity every day in the week, including Sundays, and present indications are that they will continue this pace for some time to come.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 16, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Church Getting Major Repairs

A major repair job involving the replacement of foundations, joists and stringers in a large portion of St. Mark’s church is now under way.

Settling of the floor along the communion rail led to the discovery that much of the supporting structure was deteriorating and that immediate repairs were necessary.

While the S. M. Hennen construction crew is restoring the impaired portions of the structure services have been conducted int eh basement of the school.

The Rev. Henry Scherer, pastor said Wednesday that Sunday masses would be held in the church as usual.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 19, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

First phase of park plan okayed; City Council sets pay schedules

The city council took the first formal steps in implementing Shakopee’s five year park program at its meeting Tuesday night.

Park director George Muenchow offered a proposal to the council for beginning work on Memorial Park. The first phase of the park development plan will cost some $50,000, half of which will come from a grant of the Lower Minnesota River Water Shed District, and the other half from the city…

Included under top priority items were two new parking lots, connecting roads and hiking paths as well as posts and barriers to protect the park from automobile traffic as much as possible. The plans also included a new picnic shelter, well, play apparatus and a foot bridge across the creek.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 17, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Plan to purchase land for another school advances

Addressing the need for an additional secondary school in the future, Shakopee School Board members agreed Monday to move forward with the purchase of property located south of Highway 169 in Jackson Township.

The 85-acre parcel, owned by Norbert Theis, is situated between county roads 77 and 79. Because of its central location and access to athletic fields, the site is considered ideal for a junior or senior high school. It is also described as a “flexible” lot – its size and irregular shape could also accommodate an elementary building, Superintendent Bob Ostlund said…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 15, 1898 Scott County Argus

As will be seen from the published report of the proceedings of the common council, the city has won in the suit of the Steamer “Daisy” against the city for damages to the boat caused by a collision with the bridge on the night of the 14^th of June, 1896. The suit was most preposterous to begin with, and the outcome, which puts the costs of the suit upon the owners of the “Daisy,” is the only one that could have been expected.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 13, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The Scott County Welfare Board met last Thursday at the court house. Mrs. H. W. Messerer of Jordan was appointed to succeed Mrs. Wm. Berger who resigned.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 9, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Open Body Shop on Atwood Street

Opening of a car body repair shop in the brick building north of the Gipson lumber company on Atwood street is announced this week by Clarence Kunz and Lawrence Von Bank, co-proprietors in the business.

To be known as the Kunz Body Shop the firm will also deal in used cars, the men said. Both are experienced mechanics.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 12, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Police, firemen quell incident at reformatory

Shakopee police and firemen were called to the Correctional Institute for Women in Shakopee over the weekend to help settle a disturbance in one of the security cottages.

Five women originally began the incident with a sit-down strike over television privileges about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to administrator Jackie Fleming. She said that three of the inmates were returned to their rooms, but the remaining two lit fires in a bathroom.

Ms. Fleming said one fire was started in a wastebasket and a second ignited curtains and scorched a wall. Police and firemen quickly had the fires out and the smoke cleared, she added.

The two remaining inmates were placed in a maximum security area where they remained early this week.

Ms. Fleming said the incident arose in protest to late television privileges which were to start this weekend. The inmates involved had wanted the new policy to be effective last weekend.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 10, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Spooky World, Murphy’s part

Halloween theme park moves to Canterbury in 1999

For Spooky World and Historic Murphy’s Landing, the haunted honeymoon is over.

After four years on the grounds of the recreated 18^th century village, Shakopee’s outdoor harvest them park is pulling up stakes and heading to its new home at Canterbury Park…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 8, 1898 Scott County Argus

Mrs. Baker, of the Union schools, is an industrious and talented little lady. Not content with winning her way into the hearts of all her pupils and the esteem of parents and fellow teachers by doing some of the best grade work seen in the Shakopee schools, she employs a part of her spare time in writing. This week she received a check for $50.00 from the Youth’s Companion, of Boston, for a little story entitled “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.”

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 6, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Improvements in P. O. Building

W. E. Redman and Charles Bierbaum, owners of the building in which the local postoffice is located, recently made extensive improvements in the building.

In making these improvements they had a new door put in the North side of the building about eight feet West of the old door which has now been closed. The partition in the building separating the working space of the rural carriers from the post office proper, has been removed and the rear of the building generally repaired and closed to prevent all outside exposure. This change will give the rural carriers and all other postal employees about twenty square feet additional working space.

The entrance to the basement was also changed and the washroom remodeled.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 2, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Cafe Building Sold, VFW Club Has First Floor

In a real estate transfer expected to be completed soon, Earl Ploumen will become the owner of the former Shakopee Cafe building on East Second street.

Ploumen said Tuesday that an earnest money contract had been executed last week between himself and Otto C. Siems, owner of the cafe building, and that the entire first floor of the structure had been leased to the Shakopee VFW post.

The second floor apartment, formerly occupied by the Leonard Siebenaler family, is now tenanted by the Ed Ploumen family who moved there from the house now owned by the Soconny Vacuum company at First and Atwood streets. The Siebenalers have taken an apartment over the Blue Inn cafe…

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 5, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Correctional institute asks for new building

A request for a new activities building on the grounds of the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women in Shakopee was formally presented to State legislators visiting here last week.

The proposed half million dollar building was part of a list of new construction and major repairs requested for the institution by administrator Ms. D. Jacqueline Fleming…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 3, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Plan to shift fourth-graders sparks debate

Some would attend new school

A proposal to move selected fourth-graders to the new elementary school next fall sparked a debate among Shakopee School Board members Monday.

After more than an hour of intense dialogue, the board voted 4-3 to accept the administrative recommendation, which will bring certain fourth-grade students from Sweeney and Pearson elementary schools to a facility previously set aside for fifth- and sixth-graders. In planning for the elementary school construction project, district officials and a planning committee included space for the addition of grades, if necessary…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 1, 1898 Scott County Argus

Florian Vierling has engaged in the manufacture and sale of German sausages, and he was about town Tuesday for the first time with his covered rig prominently lettered with an advertisement of his wares, dispensing his goods and making glad the hearts, or stomachs, of those who have a hankering after such delicacies. He will make the rounds of Shakopee, Chaska and Jordan regularly hereafter.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 29, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Local Stove Co. Has New Owners

An important business deal of great interest to local people was closed Thursday of last week when H. C. Schroeder and Ed. V. Mertz purchased the controlling interest in the Shakopee Stove Company, from the former owner, William Spoerner.

Mr. Schroeder who was formerly vice-president of the company, now becomes president and Mr. Mertz becomes secretary-treasurer and general manager.

Mr. Spoerner will remain for an indefinite time as foreman of the moulding department.

The change of ownership will bring about improvements as the new owners are men possessing special business ability and it is logical to assume that the Shakopee Stove Company, under their management will become one of the leading manufacturing industries in this city.

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 25, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

60 High School Students to Get Aptitude Tests

Sixty Shakopee high school students will receive vocational aptitude tests in a validating experiment to be given at the school Tuesday, Nov. 30, it was disclosed.

The tests, to be given by the Minnesota Employment Service in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, will be similar to those now employed in determining the aptitudes of adults.

Shakopee is one of several schools selected for the experiment through which it is hoped to learn if the test can be satisfactorily applied generally in aiding high school students to fit themselves in the proper vocations…

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 28, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

New shopping center plans set; first phase ready by next year

The new shopping center at the west edge of Shakopee was termed “a reality in fact, no longer a proposal,” by A.C. Holmen of Watson Centers Incorporated before a Shakopee City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Watson Centers is a division of Watson Construction Company of Minneapolis, a major general contracting firm, announced plans for development and construction of the Minnesota Valley Mall Shopping Center to be located along Highway 169 near Highway 300 at the west edge of Shakopee.

The first phase of the planned development will be a 150,000 square foot community shopping center featuring an enclosed sidewalk or mall joining the stores, shops and offices. Plans call for construction to begin in the spring of 1974 with completion of the first phase in the fall of that same year…

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 26, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Tsumura sells Shakopee plant

The parent company of Tsumura International, which earlier this year announced plans to divest itself of its U.S. and Canadian personal-care operations, announced Friday it will sell most of its operations and assets, including its Shakopee plant, to Belue Brands Inc. of Phoenix…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 24, 1898 Scott County Argus

Wm. Lempke has been making some substantial improvements upon the dwelling house he recently purchased from James Simmons. The main part has been built up to two stories in height and surmounted by a gabled roof quite ornate with shingled gables and fancy ridge. The house is located south of the M. E. church, in the same block, and its changed appearance adds greatly to the look of prosperity in that part of the city.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 22, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The display of fancy lamps in the Scherkenbach Electric Shop is a beautiful sight at night, demonstrating correct lighting for every room. The old proverb, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” is very true in this case.

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 21, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Possibility of Valley Area Chamber of Commerce viewed

The possibility of a Valley Area Chamber of Commerce was brought up at the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce this week.

A meeting with representatives of several communities south of the Minnesota River was held recently to explore that possibility, and the idea was presented to the Shakopee Chamber at its regular meeting Monday.

Communities of Shakopee Savage, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville and Eagan Township were represented at the first meeting, and a second is scheduled in January.

Virgil Mears reported to Shakopee Chamber members that a group representing the valley area would have more clout with such things as legislative matters, and suggested that Shakopee’s Chamber of Commerce could retain its individuality while supporting some kind of area effort.

Chamber members agreed to consider the matter further.

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 19, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Land purchase for future school OK’d

Even as Shakopee School Board members chart the progress of three major school building projects in the district, they are looking ahead to expansion opportunities beyond the year 2000.

The board agreed Monday night to purchase 1.4 acres of land located at the intersection of County Roads 78 and 79 in Jackson Township to complete a 40-acre parcel of district-owned property in the area…

As it stands, the property is not large enough to accommodate a senior high school and is “borderline” for a junior high site, explained Superintendent Bob Ostlund.

However, the size of the lot exceeds the minimum acreage required for the construction of an elementary school. The state recommendation on area is no less than 15 acres for this type of building.

Ostlund indicated Monday that the addition of an elementary school to accommodate a growing local population is being considered, but would not be needed for several years.

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 17, 1898 Scott County Argus

Notices are posted advertising for bids for carrying the mails, bids to be received up to the 30^th day of the present month. Subcontracting has been done away with, and all contracts, big or little, are to be let direct to the carrier.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 15, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Miss Anna Mergens has resigned her position with the Shakopee Tribune and will leave Shakopee for the winter.

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 11, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Service Station Has New Owner

M. L. Regan has become the owner of the Standard Service station formerly operated by Harold Huss, in the Schesso garage building on Lewis street, it is announced this week.

The new owner took possession Monday. Mr. Huss, who bought the business from Francis Quinn several months ago, is to become associated with the Micklethun Motors which operates a car sales and service establishment on E. First street here.

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 14, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Co. Rd. 17 project opens can of worms; city seeks county aid

The city seems to have opened a can of worms with its plan to realign Co. Rd. 17.

That project and the problems surrounding it drew considerable attention at Tuesday night’s meeting of the city council.

Several months ago the council decided to move toward straightening the county road from its junction at Co. Rd. 16 to Highway 101. They are still in the process of acquiring rights-of-way for that stretch of road.

Tuesday night, a number of other problems growing out of that road project were discussed by council men, the city administrator and the city’s consulting engineer.

The central issue was the planning which will have to be done on the segment of Co. Rd. 17 under consideration so that other segments of that road, plus other connecting roads and local storm sewers can be added with the minimum difficulty…

The city would eventually like to upgrade Co. Rd. 17 from Highway 101 to south beyond Tenth Ave., but it seems likely that the job will have to be done in sections. Also under consideration is the upgrading of Co. Rd. 16, which will also have to be completed eventually…

The council has been attempting to assure that roads and sewers will be developed on a coordinated approach, but that coordination is expected to take additional time and money…

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 12, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

In a surprise, city was host to the new governor

Early Tuesday evening last week, Canterbury Park in Shakopee was the election night headquarters for a third-party gubernatorial candidate.

A few hours later, it was where Jesse Ventura learned he had been elected governor of Minnesota.

The crowd was small early in the evening as election results trickled in. Later, more and more Ventura supporters began to pack the horse track clubroom. And they saw what the rest of the state saw: Ventura’s early lead was standing up in returns from throughout Minnesota.

By midnight, Canterbury Park and nearby Canterbury Inn became the focal point for state, national and international media. Gov.-elect Jesse and wife Terry Ventura admitted to being in shock at what had occurred. He had been elected governor in a sensational upset over two well-known major party candidates…

125 Years Ago: From the Nov. 10, 1898 Scott County Argus

One of the big regulators which has graced the walls of H. P. Marx’s jewelry store for many years past was this week sold and shipped to a jeweler at Morton, this state. It was considerably smaller than a big barn door, but it made quite a good sized package for a clock, never-the-less.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 8, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

City Purchases Athletic Field

The City Council at an adjourned regular meeting held Monday evening, November 5, purchased 9.24 acres of land from William Ryan of St. Paul. The total purchase price was $1500.

The property purchased is located North of the Fair grounds and the present city park. The Council designated the property to be used as an athletic field.

The purchase of this property by the City Council is a very commendable and progressive step. It is our understanding that the next improvement in this connection will be the erection of a new grandstand. This grandstand will be used to accomodate the attendance at baseball games, football games and other athletic contests. It will also serve as a means of seating visitors who attend the annual Scott County Fair held here.

75 Years Ago: From the Nov. 4, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

British Fords Due in Shakopee Soon

Arrival of several models of the British Ford sometime within the next seven days was announced this week by the Jim Covington Motor Sales.

The 1,700-pound midgets, made in England, have a 93-inch wheel base and are reported to travel up to 45 miles on a gallon of gas.

They will be offered locally in three models…

50 Years Ago: From the Nov. 7, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Softball diamonds grow in former corn fields

A collection of softball diamonds is being developed in what has become known as Adams Street Park.

The prime movers in this venture have been the Shakopee Jaycees, but they have been joined in this venture by a host of local organizations, businesses and individuals.

The first of the fields was seeded last week and work continued over the weekend for the grading and surveys needed for a second diamond.

The city of Shakopee purchased the 40 acre site from the state some time ago, but until recently it had still been used as a corn field…

25 Years Ago: From the Nov. 5, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Family Bank now called Voyager Bank

As of Monday, the Family Bank is no more.

Family Banks, including the branch in Shakopee, are now called Voyager Banks. The banks are owned and operated by Voyager Financial Services Corp. The name change also affects the corporation’s mortgage and title companies, which are now called Voyager Mortgage Corp. and Voyager Title Inc.

With the name change, the banks have changed from a thrift to a state-chartered bank…