Shakopee Snapshots

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 May 28, 1896 Scott County Argus

The “Bierline” foundry building is being torn down, with a view to using the material in constructing some small dwelling houses. The Ess brothers recently purchased it and removed the machinery.

100 Years Ago: From the May 26, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Will Have Public Rest Room

Shakopee will soon have a Public Rest Room, as required by the new state law for fourth class cities and villages. The city council at its last meeting voted to take a few years lease on the M. J. Berens building next door to the Tribune office, which will be fitted up for a rest room with all the conveniences required for public comfort. This is the location formerly occupied by the Zrust jewelry store and is an ideal location in the mail business block.

75 Years Ago: From the May 23, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Vets Afforded Housing at NYA Site Near Here

Good news to house-hunting veterans in the announcement this week that Shakopee Post of the American Legion has leased from the state of Minnesota the former NYA property east of Shakopee and has made 11 housing units available to veterans of the World Wars.

Three of the units have already been rented and eight are now open. Included in those still available are four apartments and four cabins, it was learned. Veterans of World War II will be given priority.

Water and sewer facilities are in the apartments and electric service is afforded to each of the eight units…

50 Years Ago: From the May 26, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Referendum Required on NSP Franchise

Attorney General Opinion…

A long-awaited opinion from the Attorney General’s Office received this week was not exactly what the city had in mind when City Attorney Julius Coller asked for it.

The opinion from Attorney General Warren Spannaus stated that an ordinance passed by the city last July granting a franchise to Northern States Power to furnish the city and Rahr Malting electrical power is subject to a referendum by the city voters…

The matter was referred to the executive committee of the Council for study Tuesday night. The city could revoke the ordinance, put the question to the voters with a special ballot or at the next city election, it was indicated Tuesday…

25 Years Ago: From the May 23, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

School auditorium to be named in honor of longtime teacher Olson

The auditorium at Shakopee High School has been home to many a theatrical production.

So it seems most appropriate that the hall be named after someone who inspired students to get involved in drama, both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Based on the recommendations of a committee that was formed to name the auditorium, the Shakopee School Board Monday unanimously approved the naming of the auditorium in honor of Carl A. Olson. (Board member Jessica Geis was absent.)

Olson, 65, retired from the district in 1993 after 36 years of teaching. One of those years was spent as a seventh-grade teacher. In fall 1958, Olson went to the high school, where he remained for the rest of his career. He started out teaching English and American history, then taught English exclusively as of 1960. Besides being a classroom teacher, Olson was an assistant football coach, and director of 58 drama productions…

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 May 21, 1896 Scott County Argus

John Mertz commenced business in his new quarters in the Kohls & Berens block yesterday. The place has been thoroughly renovated and presents a neat appearance.

100 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Our new chief of police is now walking his beat in a fine regulation cop’s uniform. He looks about seven feet tall and ought to command a healthy respect to the law by his appearance alone.

75 Years Ago: From the May 16, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Transformer Break Plunges Streets Into Darkness Here

Breakdown of the transformer serving the street lighting circuit here plunged the streets of the outlying residential sections of the city into darkness Monday night.

A total of 128 street lights are effected by the break R. C. Condon, city electrician, said. Effort to secure a replacement has been unsuccessful and it is believed the recent lighting systems will not be in operation for several weeks. To avoid a recurrence and to improve the system a crew has already begun rebuilding the circuit.

Street and alley lights in the business section of the city are not affected, Condon said.

50 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Ponds and Spring Get Major Facelift

Shakopee’s Mill Pond area got a major renovation last weekend through the efforts of a small group of volunteers led by Shakopee Police Chief R. G. ‘Pat’ Thielen.

At the most recent City Council meeting Thielen asked for and received permission for the task of cleaning the two holding ponds and spring area which feed the Mill Pond.

In recent years, he explained, they have become clogged with vegetation and the walls of the terraced ponds were broken by fishermen who wanted to drain the water so fish would be easier to hook.

Huge tree stumps, roots and all, were jerked from the ponds, banks were cleared of brush, and great piles of trash were eradicated from the area…

When the water level rose after the pond walls were repaired, the ponds cleared, and the water coursing into the main Mill Pond was cold and crystal again…

25 Years Ago: From the May 16, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Motorcycle firm interested in city

The Shakopee City Council, after meeting Tuesday will officials from Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing, directed staff to examine the firm’s request for $6.5 million in general obligation tax increment bond funding by the city…

Excelsior-Henderson is seeking a site for construction of a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. The plant would employ about 125 people its first year of production and about 400 during its second year, according to Dan Benton, the company’s co-founder.

The firm is not yet producing motorcycles, but plans to reveal its prototype at Sturgis, S.D., in August. It is fashioned after the SuperX model produced by the original Excelsior-Henderson company in the 1920s. Under the requested financing, Shakopee would sell general obligation bonds, which would be paid back with captured tax increment funds (TIF). In the even TIF funds become unavailable, payments for the bonds would come from the city’s general fund.

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 May 14, 1896 Scott County Argus

Street overseer Sarasen has been doing a lot of effective work of late. Over a hundred big boulders have been removed from the streets and dumped along the drive to the City Brick yard, and the road from Lallak’s to the town line has been built up with rock and gravel. The road lying in front of J. A. Wilder’s residence will next receive attention.

100 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

A business deal was made the first of the week in which H. W. Oradson and H. P. Johnson, proprietors of the Shakopee Tire Co., purchased the garage business of J. A. Kopisca. They will move the tire shop to the Kopisca location where they will combine the two enterprises and operate both a garage and tire repair shop. These boys are hustling young business men and will make a success of their enlarged undertaking. Mr. Kopisca will devote his time to looking after the oil business here.

75 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

County Has Woman Officer

Miss Barbara Meyer Is Named County Treasurer at Board Meeting

For the second time in its history Scott county has a woman officer. This time it is Miss Barbara Meyer, former deputy, who has been named county treasurer to complete the unexpired term of the late H. R. Grosser whose death he entered at his home here last Wednesday.

Preceding Miss Meyer in the distinction she now holds was Mrs. Joseph R. Witt, who in 1880 succeeded her husband as clerk of court from October to the end of December when Mr. Witt was a candidate for state office…

Previous to becoming deputy treasurer several years ago she had served as deputy registrar of deeds.

50 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee’s Charter Hurdles Senate Committee Saturday

Shakopee’s Special Act charter advanced another step Saturday, May 8, when members of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee voted to approve it and sent it to the Senate.

The charter, which has passed through the house, was introduced to the senate committee by Senator John Metcalf. Approximately 12 people from Shakopee attended the hearing Saturday. Two opponents of the charter, Martin Walsh City Assessor and secretary of the Utilities Commission, and Lee Monnens, Utilities Superintendent, were heard by the Committee Saturday. According to Dr. B. F. Pearson, president of the charter commission, the Committee felt Walsh’s and Monnen’s arguments were of a local nature and voted to approve the charter on a motion made by Senator Metcalf…

Dr. Pearson said that the bill with Shakopee’s Charter will now come before the Senate for a vote and he sees no problem in getting it passed.

After passing the Senate, the charter will be brought back to Shakopee and voted upon by the people.

Dr. Pearson indicated that no action on putting the charter up for a vote would be taken before the results of the Shakopee-Eagle Creek merger was known…

25 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

County Road 18 project apparently gets green light

Litigation halted expansion

The litigation-ridden County Road 18 project appears to be ready to move ahead this summer. County officials this week received a long-awaited interpretation of state statutes by two Minnesota agencies.

The commissioners for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have concluded that Scott County has demonstrated that it will “employ all reasonably available noise mitigation measures to abate traffic-generated noise” in the project…

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 May 7, 1896 Scott County Argus

John Kintzie is making a valuable improvement on his home at Fillmore and Fourth streets. The entire house has been raised two feet, and to this is being added a one story frame ell 16×20 feet in dimensions, to correspond with the main part. G. Niedenfuehr is wielding the saw and hammer.

100 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Gem Theater Will Add Second Machine

Manager L. E. Dawson of the Gem theater has made a very progressive move in the purchase of another projection machine. He will enlarge the projection booth and install the second machine at once, a step that will be greatly appreciated by Gem patrons because it will eliminate breaks between reels in the showing of pictures. With two projection machines in use one is ‘loaded’ while the other is running and when one machine is empty the other is instantly switched on. Advertising slides will be shown only before and between shows.

75 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City To Have $50,000 Bond Election Soon

That the matter of a $50,000 bond issue will likely be presented to the voters of the city in a special election sometime soon is indicated in the Council Proceedings published in the Argus-Tribune today.

The disclosure is in a motion by Alderman Howard Heller instructing the city attorney to “draw the necessary papers for a bond issue to be voted on at a special election.”

According to the motion revenue from the sale of city bonds would be used for “tarvis, sewer, water, grading and the purchase of a new fire truck.”

The council will meet again May 7. Date for the bond vote is expected to be set at that time.

50 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

County Adopts $649,919 Budget

$20,000 Committed to Sheriff’s Radio…

The 1971 Scott County budget was officially adopted by the Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning, culminating 4 months of hacking and slashing in order to avoid a deficit.

When all the dollars and cents had settled, Commissioners had cut departmental requests by $50,500, ending up with a figure of $649,919.47 for general county fund operations.

Estimated revenue is $584,392.06, meaning that $54,752.59 is not budgeted. Commissioners shied away from the word “surplus” regarding the $54,000, however. Commissioner Tony Worm said the term “surplus” is not accurate if the amount cut from requests is considered.

He moved to earmark most of the unbudgeted funds for improvements to the county sheriff’s radio system, which he said has been trimmed out of budget requests for the past three years…

Worm said the radio facilities of the sheriff is now approaching the critical stage, since a transmitting station in Carver County being used to reach low parts of the county has been declared illegal by the Federal Communications Commission.

Commissioners committed $20,000 of the unbudgeted funds to the radio, and now have $34,000 between themselves and a deficit operation for 1971.

25 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Two fires at Valleyfair

Shakopee firefighters responded to two separate fires April 23 and 24 about five hours apart at Valleyfair. Firefighters were called at 7:31 p.m. April 23 after a passing motorist noticed flames at the amusement park. That fire …was on the roof of a new food building. … Firefighters were called again at 12:16 a.m. April 24 by a security guard when a fire broke out in a building used for painting. The fire likely began from something hot being put into a trash receptacle…

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 April 30, 1896 Scott County Argus

Fred Rohlfs, of the firm of Aug. Woehling & Co., has had his residence, opposite Wm. Cole’s, furnished throughout, and Dame Rumor has it that a Mr. and Mrs. Rohlfs will occupy it before the end of the week. The young lady interested is Miss Lizzie Kressen, a sister to Mrs. Woehling.

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

Local Citizen Had a Narrow Escape

Jos N. Conter, well known citizen of Shakopee, had a very narrow escape from death last Friday noon when he was struck by a switch engine while crossing the Omaha tracks at the Dierberger corner. Mr. Conter, who is a cripple and quite hard of hearing, was just crossing the track when the engine bore down upon him. He managed to get across but not clear of danger and he was struck a glaring blow on the head by the engine and knocked down. Luckily he was not seriously injured but he did get a cut on his check and was quite badly shaken up. Dr. Buck was called and took him home and dressed his injuries. Outside of being lame and stiff he has been getting along well since. Mr. Conter is a well liked man and everybody is glad he came out so lucky.

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

Newly Constructed Garage Opened Here Last Week

Under construction for the past few months the newly completed garage addition to the Metcalf Service station here opened last week.

The new structure includes a repair and service section, stock room and spacious display room. Modern equipment has been installed and more tools and machinery will be added as they become available, J. A. Metcalf, owner, said.

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

Master Plan Approved, Park Work Authorized

A Master Plan for a community park on the former reformatory land south of the Shakopee Swimming Pool was accepted by the City Council Tuesday night, and approval of the second phase of planning work was given.

The council authorized expenditures of $400 for a drainage and grading plan for athletic fields, and $740 for grading and landscaping plans for the development of a park and picnic area to be developed by the Shakopee Lion’s Club…

The Master Plan, presented by landscape designer Derrick Young of the Amenity One planning firm, is now complete, and includes an indoor recreational building near the present swimming pool, a park and picnic area of 10 acres to the south, a “natural area” of ponding and sliding hills.

On the west side of County Road 15, an athletic field complex is shown…

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

Moving one downtown building would be costly, EDA learns

It would cost over $1 million to move and refurbish just one building in downtown Blocks 3 and 4 – and removing hazardous materials would likely inflate the price by thousands of additional dollars.

The Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) on April 16 reviewed the results of a consultant’s study that evaluated three scenarios for the property at 213 First Ave., a building in Blocks 3 and 4 that the city owns. The building is now an antique shop but was originally built in the late 1800s. The study considered the options of complete demolition, rehabilitation at its existing site and rehabilitation after relocation…

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 April 23, 1896 Scott County Argus

The Shakopee creamery will commence operations on Tuesday, May 5th, following upon fair day. By that time it is hoped to have the plant complete and ready to turn out butter that shall make the institution and the town itself famous wherever good golden butter is appreciated. Negotiations have been entered into with John Geiser of Chanhassen to operate a skim station there, and the matter is likely to be brought to a successful issue. The management may find it possible to establish a station at Prior Lake also. However that may be, the farmer living within a few miles of Shakopee and owning as many cows as he ought to own is in luck.

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

The new lights at the entrance of the Jos. Ring Inn are attracting considerable attention. The large white globes on the columns at the drives present a very pleasing effect. The lights were installed by George Scherkenbach.

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

School Bond Issue Fails in Big Vote

Residents Ballot 161 For, 551 Against $294,000 Funding Proposition.

By a vote of 551 to 161 residents of Independent School District No. 1 turned down the proposed $294,000 bond issue in a special election here Monday. The total registered vote of 713 fell five short of the all-time high of 718 ballots recorded in 1932…

Meeting informally after the ballots had been tabulated the board reviewed the school situation and weighed the problems confronting it.

Foremost among the problems, it appeared, is need of repair in many sections of the building; the matter of accommodating increased enrollment and the question of what to do about the non-resident pupils.

Despite the failure of the bond issue, the board realizes, it has the responsibility of finding the solution as to a difficult situation. What will be the ultimate answer is not yet known…

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

The Shakopee American Legion Club received an estimated $30,000 damages last Thursday afternoon, April 15, when fire gutted the bar and kitchen section of the building. The blaze, which is believed to have started in the furnace room by electrical wires, was noticed by a woman in the kitchen when the lights went out. Shakopee Fire Department labored for two hours to extinguish the blaze and were assisted by the Chaska Fire Department. The bar section of the Club received extensive fire, smoke and water damage and will not be ready for use for a period of time but the rear section was scheduled to re-open this week.

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

Shakopee to be field trip subject

“The History and Archaeology of Shakopee” is the subject of a field trip planned this month in conjunction with Minnesota Archaeology Week (MAW) from April 26 to May 5.

Weather permitting, the field trip begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, at Memorial Park on the east side of Shakopee. The free event, led by Richard Williams from the Minnesota Historical Society and Kim Brunkey of IMA Consulting Inc., will explore the early European and Mdewakanton Dakota settlement of the Village of Shakopee. Explanation of historic documents and oral histories, as well as discussions of the numerous archaeological investigations in the area are planned…

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 April 16, 1896 Scott County Argus

The new residence which is rising rapidly on the site of the old Koerner house under the saws and hammers of Schneider & Kreuser, has assumed its shape, and the roof is now going on. The building is a frame 16×24, a story and a half high, with an ell 16×24 feet in size. It will add much to the appearance of that part of the city.

100 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Sisters Home To Be Built At Marystown

Excavation was begun on Monday for the building of a new Sisters home at Marystown. The building is to be a frame structure of ten or eleven rooms and is to be completed by Aug. 15 about which time the sisters will arrive to take charge of the parochial school.

75 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Building Two New Prefabs

Two models of permanent prefabricated houses designed to meet the standards set by the federal government and destined to contribute to the alleviation of the nation’s housing shortage are now under development at the Page and Hill plant here it was learned last week.

To be provided chiefly for war veterans one of the houses will embody a combination kitchen and dining room, a combined bedroom and living room, and bath; the other is styled with four rooms and bath…

50 Years Ago: From the April 14, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Schools Seen Critically Short of Space by 73-74 School Year

Bond Issue Recommended for Next Year

Shakopee’s school space situation foreseen by the 1973-74 school year was described as “critical” by members of the District 720 school board’s building committee Monday night as they recommended that approval of a school bond issue should be asked of school district voters in 1972…

Overcrowding is most evident now in the two Shakopee elementary schools, which are both full. Next year Elementary classes will be held again in the Junior High building, as well as six or seven classrooms in the Senior High Building.

Alternatives placed before board members Monday night included the construction of a new Junior High School Building, with the present building becoming an elementary school, or additions to both elementary schools and the Junior High…

Other alternatives suggested for board consideration Monday night included an extended school year for the elementary classes, kindergarten through sixth grade. Even if such a system were instituted as an interim measure, it would still require an addition to Junior High facilities…

25 Years Ago: From the April 11, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Handicap-accessibility to Community Center track to be studied

Prompted by inquiries from residents, the Shakopee City Council is wrestling with the question of handicap-accessibility to the walking track at the Community Center. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessibility in most public buildings.

The walking track, which circles above the facility’s gymnasium, is accessible only by a flight of stairs. Assistant City Administrator Barry Stock told the council in March that the decision not to provide access was “a conscious decision by the project architect and the design review team.”… At the time the Community Center was being planned, the architect and design team believed that the perimeter of the gymnasium floor, which is accessible by elevator, provided a “like activity,” Stock said. The track was built so that major alterations would not need to be done should a wheelchair lift be eventually put in, Stock 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 April 9, 1896 Scott County Argus

It is stated that Wm. Germond of Minneapolis will make arrangements this week for putting in a first-class barbershop here. With four shops handy Shakopeeans’ birute appendages ought to be well cared for.

100 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Schumacher and family have moved into their home recently purchased from T. J. Nickolay. Mr. and Mrs. George Dellwo who had occupied the place have moved into the Mrs. H. Heller house on fourth street.

75 Years Ago: From the April 4, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Legion Band To Rehearse Thursday Night

First rehearsal of the new Legion sponsored community band now in the process of organizations has been set for 7:45 p.m. next Thursday, Roman J. Kopp, Legion Commander, announced Tuesday.

The band will be under the direction of Joseph Schmitz and membership is open to any men or boy who plays a band instrument, it was learned. Residence in Shakopee or membership in the Legion are not essential to a place in the band.

In announcing the first rehearsal sponsors urged all likely band members to bring their instruments. The rehearsal will be held in the Legion club.

50 Years Ago: From the April 7, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Easter Egg Hunt Will Be Held Saturday

Shakopee’s annual Easter Egg Hunt for youngsters will be held again this year, according to the Shakopee Jaycees, who act as the Easter Bunny’s helpers in staging the event on Saturday, April 10 starting at 1 p.m.

The location of the hunt is different this year than last. Jaycee Project Chairman John Schmitt said the affair will be held in the swimming pool recreational area south of Sweeney Elementary School along County Road 15. Previously it has been conducted at Memorial Park.

Areas will be set aside for three age groups – Preschoolers, Kindergarten through second graders, and third and fourth graders. Schmitt said the event is free, and numerous prizes will be awarded in each age group.

25 Years Ago: From the April 4, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

City Council approves short-term goal list

A decision on downtown Blocks 3 and 4 is the top short-term priority for the Shakopee City Council, according to the results of a goal-setting work session it held last week.

The two-hour session on March 26, which was attended by eight city staff members as well as the council, produced a top-10 list of goals for the coming six months. Elected officials had submitted a list of their priorities before the session. Councilors and staff first rated each item for its short-term importance.

In descending order of importance, the top picks were:

• Blocks 3 and 4.
• A second fire station – finding a location and deciding on a building plan.
• Begin preliminary action on the 1997 budget process.
• Metropolitan Council issues – MUSA line, Comprehensive Plan, Livable Communities Act, a possible conference of southwest metropolitan mayors.
• A review of building department staffing.
• Scott County justice center campus project – planning and impact.
• City employees – staff incentives and customer service issues.
• Establish an office of economic development coordinator.
• Adopt a city telecommunications ordinance.
• Meet with school and county officials in semiannual meetings.

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 April 2, 1896 Scott County Argus

It is stated on good authority that the “Bierline foundry” has been purchased by Joseph Ess, the well-known foundryman of Chaska, and that he will place his two sons in charge and commence operating this valuable piece of property in the immediate future. The young men are practical founders and will be able to give good amount of themselves in their undertaking. The arrangements for the transfer of the property are practically complete, but the title of the property is in Robert Hamilton of California at present, and for him James Sullivan is agent.

100 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

H. G. Swenson, of the Swenson Drug Co. of Minneapolis, is opening a store in the building formerly occupied by Christis Candy Kitchen. He will handle ice cream, confectionery and drug sundries.

75 Years Ago: From the March 28, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

$294,000 Goal of School Bond Election Scheduled To Be Held Here April 15

Directors Adopt Resolution at Special Meeting Monday Night. Proposition Lists New Site, New School, Remodelling, Repairing, Equipment, Among Possibilities

Setting $294,000 as the amount to be raised, and fixing April 15 as the date for voting, the directors of Independent School District No. 1, meeting in special session here Monday night, adopted a resolution calling for a special election on a bond issue for “purchasing a site for a new schoolhouse … building, rebuilding, remodeling, repairing, furnishing and equipping a school house.”

Although the proposition, which is made a part of the resolution, stipulates several expenditures any one of which could consume a part or all of the total amount of the bond issue, school authorities point out it is not the intention of the board to move toward the completion of any one of the included projects until a thorough study of the entire matter has been completed.

Likewise, passage of the bond issue, it was determined, does not mean that a new site will be acquired, a new school built, the old building remodelled or repaired, because there is not now available any positive estimate of the probable costs involved in any of the proposals…

Passage of the bond issue, it is understood, has the effect of authorizing the Board of Education to take the steps it deems necessary to solving the problems confronting it. What the solution will be is not now known…

50 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

A calendar of events is being established in the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce office…The calendar will coordinate clubs’ and organizations’ events and promotions to avoid conflicts. Organizations are asked to call the Chamber office at 445-1660 for further information and to give listings of events.

25 Years Ago: From the March 28, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

County seeks architect to plan justice center

With the purchase of the St. Francis Regional Medical Center site completed, now begins the search for an architect for Scott County’s proposed justice center…

Earlier this month the Scott County Board agreed to purchase the hospital for $2 million. The sellers are required to have the building razed and the site cleaned up by the end of this year.

The board on March 19 approved a recommendation by the county’s Building Committee to select an architect and, if necessary, a construction manager using a request-for-proposal process… Construction of the justice center could begin as early as next spring.

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 March 26, 1896 Scott County Argus

The old Koerner home, one of the most ancient landmarks of the town, erected when the ferry near Withey’s, the steamboat levee at the foot of Holmes street and the stage route that stretched from St. Paul on into the unknown west, were points of greater interest than the drawbridge, union depot, and three railroad lines are today—the battered and weather-worn structure that has withstood the devastations of merely forty years, is at last succumbing to the axe and hammer of the carpenter. It will be torn down and removed at once to make way for a neat residence of modern design erected by H. H. Heller. The new house will be occupied by Joseph Buch, formerly removed here from Fessenden, S. D.

100 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

A friend of St. Mark’s school has donated a sum to equip to some extent the pupils’ playground. For the present a merry-go-round with a capacity for 24 children, a combination of swings, rings and trapeze, and two teeter-totters are being erected. The boys of the 7th and 8th grades are the erecting crew under their own chosen foreman, Hubert Paron.

75 Years Ago: From the March 21, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Deutsch Drug Store, Operated Since 1893, Sold in Past Week

Brothers To Retire from Business

50 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Pearson School Design Wins National Honor

One of 17 Best in Country…

An elementary school which had its basic design roughed out a meeting of the Shakopee elementary school faculty and administration has won nationwide accolades, it was announced this week.

Shakopee’s newest school, B. F. Pearson Elementary, was one of 17 elementary schools built in the nation last year to receive a special citation at the American Association of School Administrators national convention…

25 Years Ago: From the March 21, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Long-range facilities study approved by board

A long-range facilities study, with the St. Paul architectural firm Wold & Associates serving as consultants, was unanimously approved by the Shakopee School Board Monday.

Wold & Associates will receive a maximum fee of $8,000, plus reimbursables, for its part in the planning process. The district has previously worked with the firm, which most recently designed the additions to Pearson and Sweeney Elementary schools, and the athletic complex at the high school.

The district’s current and projected enrollment growth dictates the need for a comprehensive examination of future facility needs, according to district administrators.

Citizen participation, through a task force, will be a key element of the long-range facilities study, which is expected to begin in April and conclude in November…

The task force will have a number of responsibilities. Among them are to: review and validate long-term student enrollment projections and related demographic data, review the present grade structure for the schools, study various options for housing the projected school population, develop a consensus position regarding preferred direction for resolving the district’s long-term facility needs, develop a consensus position on the nature and timing of technology improvements to district buildings, and advise the School Board on the scope, content and timeline for future bond referendums. Sullivan said one of the most difficult issues the task force will deal with is Central Elementary School, which now houses grades five and six, as well as district offices. Central is the district’s oldest building. Board members and administrators are concerned about a number of maintenance issues at Central, including the condition of its roof…