Shakopee Snapshots

125 Years Ago: From the April 28, 1898 Scott County Argus

The Court House square has been stealing a march on Arbor day, and is now bordered by rows of young evergreens and dotted with mountain-ash, cut-leaf birch, hydrangeas and snowballs. The stock was purchased from the Jewell Nursery at Lake City, through their agent, D. H. Cole of Lakeville, and is warranted to grow. There are no less than a hundred evergreens set about twelve feet apart, in rows, and they will make a handsome ornament to the otherwise rather unattractive square. The hardy little shrubs are already eight years old, yet they stand only three feet high. Their growth from now on will be more rapid, and still it will take fifty years for them to reach their full size. The stock was ordered before war was declared, so it was decided to go on with the work of setting them out in the hope that the Spaniards will overlook them and that they may live on for twice fifty years to come.

100 Years Ago: From the April 26, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

M. C. Heinen, photographer arrived here from Minneapolis and has opened a studio in the Condon Block. Mr. Heinen has completed all arrangements and is ready to do all kinds of photography.

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

Wermerskirchen Buys Building in Lewis Street

Purchase of the corner section of the Charles Trost building at Lewis and Second street was disclosed this week by William Wermerskirchen who plans to move his dry cleaning and laundry from the Gillen building on Holmes street to the new location early in July.

Interior of the structure is to be remodelled to meet the needs of the cleaning plant and new machines are to be installed. Bulk of the equipment, Wermerskirchen said, will be in the basement.

The ground floor will provide space for new services, a tailor shop and office; and the second floor will be remodelled for occupancy as an apartment.

50 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

New Courthouse Concept Plans Now Under Way

Plans for a new county courthouse building moved forward this week as the Scott County Board of Commissioners agreed on the present courthouse complex site as the place for construction.

The commissioners also authorized the county administrator and architect to prepare some preliminary plans on space needs and division of assignments for various county agencies.

Providing that a referendum on the new building is successful this fall, the county has committed some $850,000 toward the project.

A total of $1.3 million in revenue sharing may be available for the new courthouse project although all of these funds have not yet been dedicated.

The county board has long felt the need for new courthouse facilities, and is doing preliminary work on the concept at this time.

125 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1898 Scott County Argus

An important change in the business circle was made last Friday, when Frank Buch’s lumber yard was sold to the St. Croix Lumber company, which firm will conduct the business as a branch yard in the future. It is understood that the yard will be under the management of Joseph Buch for a time at least.

100 Years Ago: From the April 19, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Ed Thiede Purchases the J. J. Schaefer Home

Ed J. Thiede purchased the J. J. Schaefer home on Lewis Street hill, Monday, April 16. The purchase included the house and all other buildings with a plot of ground 300 feet deep with 120 feet frontage on Lewis Street. Mr. Thiede will take possession about the 25^th of the month.

Mr. Schaefer retained 90×300 feet on the south side of the Thiede purchase on which he will build a new home, work to begin on same within three weeks.

The Schaefer family has rented the J. B. Heller home above Holmes Park and will make it their temporary residence until their new home is completed.

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

Starts Addition to Building Here

Clearing of the site and excavation for the footings upon which to erect a 56 by 94 foot addition to his building on West First street was begun this week by P. F. O’Connor, proprietor of the House of Bargains.

The new L-shaped structure which will attach to the present quarters on the south, extend along the alley and cover portion of the lot west of the building now used by O’Connor will provide for warehouse space and a shop. Truck entrances will be placed on the east side.

Future plans call for the construction of a display room and new front to be added to the north side facing on First street.

50 Years Ago: From the April 18, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

The Case Building on Shakopee’s main drag has a new storefront after work recently completed. Russ Case, manager at Case’s Mens Wear, said the newly redone front covers three attached stores. Plans are now in the works to fix up the stores’ rear entrance in a similar manner, according to Russ.

25 Years Ago: From the April 16, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Southbridge plat advances

The preliminary plat for a large residential development south of Highway 169, east of Dean Lake and west of County Road 18 was approved by the Shakopee City Council last week.

Southbridge First Addition (formerly East Dean Lake) would include 850 dwelling units in single-family residential lots and townhomes on 549 acres.

Applicants are Valley Green Business Park, the Minneapolis Foundation, and Shakopee Crossings Limited Partnership…

125 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1898 Scott County Argus

Street overseer Sarasen states that the work of repairing the trestle road is finished. For a distance of more than 600 feet it was necessary to build a new foundation of rock, which required the hauling of 185 loads of stone. The repairs are bound to be permanent, however, and the improvement is quite marked.

100 Years Ago: From the April 12, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Transient Arrested for Stealing Money

Last Monday while Jack Yardine of Eagle Creek was in the B. A. Mertz place, a magazine salesman, whose name we have not learned, grabbed a roll of money from him and ran out of the door up Second Street.

Chief of Police, J. H. Ring, was notified and followed him. When the magazine salesman saw the police officer coming, he threw the money over the fence of Linus Vierling’s place. This act was witnessed by two school boys who went to look for the money and upon finding some discovered the roll to contain $60.00.

Chief Ring captured the salesman on Second Street near Holmes Street and placed him under arrest. At this writing he is in the County jail awaiting trial.

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

Breaks Ground for New Building

Excavation work was completed this week for a 49 by 142 foot two-story garage and apartment building to be erected by Captain L. A. Ketterer on his property between the Anderson garage and the Shakopee Bakery on East First street here.

The concrete and brick-crete structure is to be fireproof throughout with concrete floors and ceilings being employed, Captain Ketterer said.

Pat of the 49-foot front will include the personal electric shop building and the first floor will provide for a garage repair shop, display room, stock room and office. The structure will extend north to attach to a warehouse already on the site…

Start of construction work and completion of the job, it was learned, depends upon the delivery of necessary material.

50 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Reformatory Works Toward New Roles

Officials of the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women of Shakopee see the upcoming establishment of a citizens advisory committee as a valuable aid to the rehabilitation of inmates.

The committee, proposed to a group of some 25 local residents at a recent meeting, is presently in the final planning stages, with selection of members, and initial plans to be made at a meeting April 29.

Conceived by D. Jacqueline Fleming, superintendent of the correctional institution, the committee’s general purpose will be to provide inmates with opportunities to work in the outside community: opportunities that the superintendent hopes will, in turn, improve the image that local citizens hold of the prison in their midst…

25 Years Ago: From the April 9, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

City sends help to tornado area

Like several other cities in the region, Shakopee sent a crew of workers and equipment to help the tornado-ravaged St. Peter area last week.

The city sent six workers last Friday. City Administrator Mark McNeill said the workers were paid for eight hours that day, but actually worked closer to 12 hours. On Saturday, six city workers volunteered their time and helped at the disaster site. The city also paid six workers for eight hours on Monday.

In addition, the city sent three dump trucks and three bobcats, equipment desperately needed by cleanup crews, said McNeill, who volunteered his time on Saturday…

125 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1898 Scott County Argus

The excavation for the new addition to the Jacob Ries Bottling Works plant will be completed this week and work on the superstructure will be begun at once and pushed to rapid completion.

100 Years Ago: From the April 5, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The fire department was called out Saturday forenoon at about eleven o’clock to extinguish a blaze which had started in the roof of the kitchen at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stelten. The fire evidently had started from a spark from the chimney and was put out in a short time. The damage done was comparatively small.

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

Harness Shop to Discontinue

Mrs. D. H. Graycraft, who since the death of her husband a year ago has operated a harness shop in the Conter building at the corner of Second and Holmes street, disclosed this week that she is discontinuing business and is disposing of her entire stock.

The building, it was learned, has been sold to the Minnesota Valley Gas company who plans to remodel and improve the structure to serve its office and … needs here.

50 Years Ago: From the April 4, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Society Rejects City’s Park Transfer Offer; Opposition Still Active

The Shakopee City Council’s offer to transfer Memorial Park to the Scott County Historical Society was rejected last Friday night by the society’s board of directors.

Although the society had wanted the land adjacent to the Minnesota Valley Restoration Project for their own care and development, the council had attached conditions to the land transfer which the society could not accept…

25 Years Ago: From the April 2, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

School-start times harming children, board members told

Parents who blame later school start times for changes in their children’s learning habits brought their concerns to the Shakopee School Board Monday night.

It was standing-room only in the boardroom, prompting Board Chair Kathy Busch to set a 15-minute time limit on discussion of the issue, which wasn’t on the board’s lengthy agenda.

A half-dozen parents and representatives of a parent-teacher organization addressed the board, citing examples of the negative effects start times are having on young students at Sweeney and Pearson elementary schools…

125 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1898 Scott County Argus

Doctor C. W. Malchow has fitted up a suite of rooms in the Kohls & Berens block over H. P. Marx’s and John Mertz’s places of business, and moved in yesterday. Freshly painted woodwork and floors, a new coat of wallpaper, new full sash windows, and other improvements have served to make as comfortable a reception room and work room on one side, and sleeping room across the hall, as one could wish.

100 Years Ago: From the March 29, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Defunct Security Bank Pays Partial Dividends

The defunct Security State Bank of Shakopee made its first partial payment last Saturday. Depositors received checks for twenty per cent of the total amount due them.

Further dividends are to follow, when the banking department, in whose charge the affairs of the defunct bank have been placed for liquidation, will be successful in collecting the notes and securities of the bank. The amount to be paid to depositors will also depend upon the success of these collections.

The Security State Bank closed its doors nearly a year ago and depositors and all others concerned, have been anxiously waiting for some settlement of affairs since that time. It is hoped that before long the affair can be entirely settled, however, it may require considerable more time before this can be accomplished.

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

City, State Plan Improving Street

Plans for the improvement of eight blocks of East First street by the laying of full-width blacktop surfacing and the construction of parking with the state bearing 15 per cent of the total cost of the improvement were presented to the city council last Thursday night by H. E. Chard, district engineer, at the State Highway department.

According to the proposal the highway department would let the contract for the entire job and provide all supervision of the project. Instead of surfacing the normal width of 24 feet through the city, the state would carry the surfacing in the curbs and bear a portion of the extra cost. Property holders along the street would be assessed for their proportionate share of the improvement…

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

Council Okays Park Transfer to MVRP; Referendum Possible

An ordinance conveying Memorial Park to the Scott County Historical Society was passed by the Shakopee City Council Tuesday night after a lengthy and impassioned discussion.

The action capped several months of consideration, but is not the final word on the issue. The Society must now decide if it will accept the terms of the transfer set down by the council…

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

Inland giving SHS $25,000 grant

Inland Paperboard and Packaging Inc. last week announced that the Inland Foundation will award a $25,000 Leadership Grant to Shakopee High School.

The grant, dispersed over two years, will help the high school establish a manufacturing industry career-training and awareness program. The program’s goal is to server 100 at-risk high school youths and 50 lower-income adults, providing them with a hands-on lab experience to acquire fundamental manufacturing technology skills such as robotics and hydraulics. Additionally, instruction will include workplace skills such as good work behaviors, team building and problem-solving…

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

Jacob Ries has determined not to again advertise for bids for the erection of the new addition to the Bottling Works, but will put up the building himself, buying the material and contracting for the labor. The cost of the improvement as indicated by the bids submitted will be nearly $2,000.

100 Years Ago: From the March 22, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Bert Kingsley of the office of the State Fire Marshal of St. Paul was in the city Monday and inspected the buildings at the State Reformatory for Women and pronounced them absolutely safe.

75 Years Ago: From the March 18, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Park Light Fund Drive Continues

Type of lights (sealed beam or open flood) to be installed to provide night use of Shakopee’s baseball diamond depends upon the result of the stock selling campaign now in progress here, officers of the Shakopee Recreation Association, Inc., said this week.

On the basis of funds already made available through stock purchases the corporation’s officers and directors are confident the diamond will be lighted for the coming ball season.

There was general accord among those interested in the project that the sealed beam type of lighting unit, although more costly at the initial installation, would be the most desirable from a maintenance point of view over a period of years. The open reflector units are less costly to purchase but require greater maintenance and more frequent attention, engineers point out.

Steel towers and transformers for the project have been ordered, officers said, but placing of the order for the light units must await the tabulation of stock sales made this week…

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

C. L. Wilcox and B. J. Gentgen are at work papering the ceiling and walls of the county commissioners’ room and register of deed’s office at the court house. Both are papered in decidedly green tints, that in the registrar’s office being very naturally as bright a hue as the Emerald Isle itself, while the darker walls of the commissioners’ room should find favor in the sight of Commissioners Mahoney and Hyland. It need hardly be added that the rooms are both attractively neat in their “new rolls.”

100 Years Ago: From the March 8, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Fire Causes Heavy Loss

Minnesota Stove Co. Sustains Huge Loss from Fire in Local Plant.

A destructive fire broke out last Thursday evening in the local plant of the Minnesota Stove Co., causing a heavy loss to the company.

The fire started about nine o’clock Thursday evening from an unknown cause, in the crating and shipping room. Men at work in the building at the time, tried their utmost to extinguish the flames, before they could gain any headway, however their efforts proved futile and in a short time the fire reached a barrel of paint and an explosion followed. Flames then spread rapidly and the fire had gained considerable headway before the arrival of the fire department, which was on the scene in a very short time…

Three buildings, including the crating and shipping room, where the fire originated, the mounting room on the east and the large warehouse on the west of it, were totally destroyed with all their contents, before the fire was under control…

The molding room and the enameling plant remained intact and work in these departments was resumed Monday morning. A temporary mounting room was improvised in a section of the molding room to be used at present until other arrangements are completed…

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

To Open New Car Agency, Garage in Shakopee April 1

L. M. Miklethun, Minneapolis, completed negotiations Monday in preparation for the opening of new automotive business in Shakopee, it was learned.

Mr. Miklethun disclosed that he had leased from Captain L. A. Ketterer the former Walter Wermerskirchen property on East First street where he will conduct a Pontiac car agency and garage.

Plans provide for the erection of a building on the vacant portion of the property, west of the Shakopee bakery, early in spring. Launching of the new business, however, is scheduled for April 1.

Present buildings on the site will be used as the office, display room and garage until the new structure is erected, Miklethun said.

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

Shopping Center May Be In Jackson, But Several ‘Ifs’ Need More Study

A proposal to construct a shopping center immediately west of Shakopee in Jackson Township was met with tentative approval by Jackson Township officials at a special meeting Monday evening, as engineers prepare to undertake studies to determine the feasibility of supplying the proposed complex with sewer and water services from Shakopee.

The studies will be undertaken upon the recommendation of Shakopee City Engineer Leo Olson, whose preliminary study of the existing sewer system on Shakopee’s west side has raised the question of whether the shopping center could best be served by an extension of the present system or by a direct connection with the system…

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

Board approves new school land purchase

A new elementary school in Shakopee is a step closer to becoming reality after the School Board approved the purchase of land for the facility on Monday.

The district will finalize a purchase agreement with property owners Greg and Gary Kerkow for a 21.7-acre parcel east of St. Francis Regional Medical Center…

The city of Shakopee will need approximately three acres of the school site to extend 17^th Avenue, Ostlund said. The grade school lot will border on a city park, as a result of an agreement between the city and the school district…

125 Years Ago: From the March 3, 1898 Scott County Argus

The Masonic hall will be lighted by acetylene gas, supplied from Deutsch & Zettel’s big new generator which will replace their smaller one this week.

100 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Manager Dawson Offers Children Free Feature

L. E. Dawson, manager of the Gem Theater, will initiate a new and novel feature next Saturday afternoon at his matinee, when he will admit each child bringing a fresh egg, free to the matinee performance.

The offering at this matinee which will start at 3 P. M. will be the photo-play “Good Men and True,” featuring Harry Carey. The picture will be especially enjoyed by children.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Announcement of New Business Opening Feb. 28

In an advertisement in the Argus-Tribune today F. P. O’Connor, who recently purchased the Dr. Reiter property on West First street, announces the opening of a new business to be known as the “House of Bargains.”

The opening has been set for Saturday, Feb. 28 by which time the owner hopes to have much of his large stock of unclaimed freight on display.

For the past two weeks the building has been undergoing remodelling and repair in preparation for the opening, and it appeared certain early this week that everything would be in readiness by Saturday.

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

Developers Seek Approval for Large Shopping Center in Jackson Township

A Minneapolis development corporation has relocated the proposed site for a community shopping center following negative reaction by city officials to initial proposals.

Gene Foudray, chairman of the Shakopee Planning Commission, disclosed at Thursday’s commission meeting that representatives of Midway Development Corp. have indicated the shopping center is now being planned for 30 acres of a 183-acre tract of land southwest of downtown Shakopee. The property is in Jackson Township, surrounding and immediately south of the present location of Jack’s Truck stop on Highway 169.

Foudray said that in addition to the shopping center, developers also plan for the area an 80-unit motel, 10-lane bowling alley, restaurant and lounge, and movie theater…

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

Students take part in mentor program

Several local fourth-graders were selected to participate in a series of mentoring sessions over the past week as part of an elementary leadership training program.

Fourth-graders who have shown an interest in leadership roles applied to participate, and were paired with community leaders such as Scott County Sheriff Bill Nevin, Shakopee Police Chief Tom Steininger, Shakopee City Administrator Mark McNeill, and Shakopee School Superintendent Bob Ostlund…

The program is designed to help students nurture their leadership skills by interacting with, and researching the duties of, local officials. Pairs of students take turns asking each leader questions…

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

Miss Tormey treated her pupils to a sleighride last Friday evening, and a jolly party it was that went laughing, singing and hurrahing about town.

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

Scott County Red Cross Renders Splendid Service

Shipments of clothing sent through the Red Cross organization of Scott County, for the relief of the suffering in Europe and Asia, were donated by the following societies and a large part of the shipment were new garments.

St. Mary’s Sewing Circle, Shakopee, 101 garments; Jordan League of Women Voters with some help from Belle Plaine, 88 garments; Prior Lake Presbyterian Aid Society, 129 garments; Shakopee Presbyterian Aid Society, 150 garments, making a total of 468 garments…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

PTA Views Plans for New School

Adoption of the by laws and a thorough discussion of the proposed new school plans afforded an interesting evening for the first meeting of the newly formed Parent and Teachers association at the high school here Monday night…

Hubert H. Swanson, member of the Lang and Thorshov architectural firm who prepared the school plans, gave a detailed explanation of the contemplated structure and answered a barrage of questions. Inquiry concerning costs brought the disclosure that estimates, based on current prices, place the cost of building the new structure now at $347,000. The bond issue voted by the district some months ago totaled $254,000.

It was pointed out by Mr. Swanson and Superintendent Al N. Wurst that the cost could be reduced by eliminating some of the minor improvements contemplated in the plans, but it was made clear that that step would not be taken until actual bids on the job afforded the board of education a true picture of the possible cost. Calling for bids, it was stressed, does not mean that construction is planned for an early date…

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

Ground Breaking Ceremonies Held for New Shakopee Medical Center

Construction has begun on the new Shakopee Medical Center at a site located on the corner of an extension of 10th Avenue and County Road 17 in Shakopee.

The one-story, residential style brick building will have approximately 11,000 square feet of space, and will house complete diagnostic, x-ray, and laboratory facilities.

It will include minor surgery and emergency treatment rooms in addition to patient examination rooms and offices for doctors affiliated with the Center.

According to project construction manager Norbert Zurkowski, the structure will be complete in mid-August. The design and construction of the Shakopee Medical Center is being done by American Medical Building Guild of Madison, Wis…

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

Local bypass wins awards

An innovative approach to building concrete highways earned state and national recognition throughout 1997 for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Highway 169 construction project in Shakopee.

After being named the state winner for best project by the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota and Minnesota Quality Initiative, the project, completed in 1996, was named a finalist in the American Concrete Pavement Association and the National Quality Initiative Achievement Award national competition. In addition, the project was awarded the Governor’s Commendation by Partnership Minnesota, an organization established to encourage intergovernmental cooperation.

The roadway skirts south of downtown Shakopee and connects to the new Bloomington Ferry Bridge and County Road in Savage. The bypass was one of the first projects built using new MnDOT quality control and quality assurance standards…