Category: Remember When

125 Years Ago: From the May 19, 1898 Scott County Argus

The work of replanking the draw bridge, which has been in progress for the past two weeks, is now nearly completed. The life of the old planks was five years, and it is expected that the new ones will outlast the old, as they are of the best northern pine.

100 Years Ago: From the May 17, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

District Phone Exchange to Be Located at Shakopee

The Tri-State Telephone Company will open a district exchange for Southern Minnesota in Shakopee about July 1^st.

The company has taken a ten-year lease on the second floor of the M. J. Berens building. From what we learn at this time about twelve girls will be employed working in three shifts of eight hours each.

75 Years Ago: From the May 13, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Baseball Light Towers Due This Week. Piers Set

Towers for the Shakopee baseball park lighting system are expected to arrive this week, it was learned Tuesday night, and in anticipation of the early arrival the … concrete piers upon which the towers will rest were completed Monday.

Last Sunday morning an REA post hole drilling device dug the holes in preparation for the concrete and C. J. Fischer’s crew poured the piers Monday. Each pier is eight feet deep and 22 inches in diameter.

Volunteer labor will next be required to assemble and erect the towers, dig the trenches for the power transmission cables and complete other work in connection with the lighting project.

25 Years Ago: From the May 14, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners reject County Road 42 realignment plan

With little discussion, the Scott County Board rejected a plan Tuesday to realign the western end of County Road 42 in Shakopee.

Home and property owners in the area of the proposed realignment urged the board not to go along with the county highway engineer’s recommendation…

125 Years Ago: From the May 12, 1898 Scott County Argus

First street near the site of the old Wampach factory resounds with the sound of hammer and saw. The large new residence of G. S. Lander is going up rapidly, now that the excavation has been blasted almost out of solid rock, and the structure is assuming imposing size and shape. It will make a handsome improvement to the city.

100 Years Ago: From the May 10, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Lester Brown has just completed a fine garage large enough for two cars in the basement of his home.

75 Years Ago: From the May 6, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Jewelry Store Arranges Grand Opening May 8

Recognized as the most modern store of its kind in the area the recently remodelled Shakopee Jewelers store and gift shop this week announces a grand opening for Saturday, May 8.

Completely transformed, with new fixtures, new decorations and ne3w lighting the store will feature several new lines of merchandise which have been added to the already vast stock of popular items.

For the opening day event flowers will be given to the ladies, and special discounts will be offered on some items, Norman Eng, owner, disclosed…

50 Years Ago: From the May 9, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Action on Town Hall Sale Still Uncertain

The City’s attempt to sell the Eagle Creek Town Hall to Scott County for use in the Library system was snagged again at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The move began last November, and the annexation was finalized in late February. However, a citizens’ petition has called for a referendum on the issue.

Before taking action on the referendum petition, the council had to reaffirm its original decision to sell the town hall, but needed vote of the full council for that action.

Council president Francis Kreuser was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, as a full vote could not be taken. After the matter was tabled, other members of the council noted that they might be absent from upcoming council meetings.

As a result, the town hall transfer may remain in limbo for some time…

25 Years Ago: From the May 7, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

County balking at joining metropolitan waste board

Scott County appear to be standing alone in its resistance to joining a seven-county metropolitan board that will coordinate and fund regional solid-waste planning.

All five county commissioners this week said they feel that the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board has too much power and control over county waste removal and disposal policies. They also said the board has not clearly spelled out its agenda for the region nor how its policies will affect Scott County.

Five of the seven member counties – Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington – have joined the board. Hennepin County is expected to do likewise next week. The deadline for deciding is July 1…

125 Years Ago: From the May 5, 1898 Scott County Argus

The Jacob Ries Bottling works have recently put out some handsome new bar signs of nickel having embossed lettering tipped with black enamel. The signs also bear a facsimile of a bottle of the famous “Rock Spring” table water artistically tinted and embossed.

100 Years Ago: From the May 3, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

P. G. Miller, proprietor of Miller’s Cafe, recently improved his place of business by putting a new front in his restaurant.

75 Years Ago: From the April 29, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Bids Too High, School Building Plans Shelved

Shakopee’s plans for new and expanded public school facilities were temporarily shelved last Thursday night when the board of education rejected all bids for the proposed structure after it became apparent the school district was without sufficient funds to finance the structure under present conditions.

Lowest combination of bids for the general constructional, mechanical and electrical work received Thursday night totaled $418,331, more than $115,700 above the funds made available to the district in a $294,000 school bond issue 15 months ago…

Following the rejection of bids the board and representatives of the Long and Thorshov architectural firm went into session with members of the 20-man Commercial Club committee which has worked with the board in an effort to solve Shakopee’s public school problem.

During the discussion it was pointed out that rising material and labor costs were major factors contributing to the difficulty which the Shakopee school district and hundreds of others find themselves in as they contemplate the need for new and larger schools…

Definitely stopped for the present the group probed many angles as possible solutions to the “ways and means” of eventually providing the Shakopee high school area with the necessary educational facilities.

50 Years Ago: From the May 2, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

City Gives Final Approval to Agreement on Shopping Center

The Shakopee City Council gave its approval to a proposed agreement for construction of a new shopping center near the town at a special meeting held Tuesday night.

After the meeting spokesmen for both Midway Development Corporation and Jackson township said they were satisfied with the agreement and expected to follow the council’s action by formally signing also.

The action capped many weeks of discussion on the shopping center, and the developers indicated they would begin to finalize their planning immediately.

Site of the proposed center will be south of Shakopee, adjacent to the city limits in Jackson township near Highway 169…

25 Years Ago: From the April 30, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee considered for Supervalu Inc. warehouse

Shakopee could become home to another major retail distribution center.

Supervalu Inc. is considering the city for a 600,000 square foot warehouse and office complex, from which food and other grocery stores would be distributed throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area to company grocery stores, which include Cub Foods, County Market and Super Valu stores.

Eden Prairie-based Supervalu is considering sites in Shakopee and Hopkins for the warehouse, but the company said that a warehouse could be built in either or both sites.

The distribution center would employ more than 300 people full-time.

The proposed site in Shakopee is on 75 acres, located south of Fourth Avenue, and just west of County Road 83. The company has the option to buy the property. It includes a farmstead, two-story home, several small buildings and an airplane runway…

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…