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 June 3, 1897 Scott County Argus

John P. Ring’s handsome residence property has been improved by the laying of cement walks. The work was done by his brother J. R. Ring, who became acquainted with “the tricks in the trade” while in St. Louis last year.

100 Years Ago: From the June 1, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Lawn and Hedge on Mill Property Very Beautiful

            Shane Bros. and Wilson Co., or rather the local manager of Shane Bros. and Wilson’s Milling Co., is to be commended for the beauty and attractiveness of the grounds in connection with the mill. The hedge is most beautiful and the lawn and shrubbery are unsurpassed by any in the city.

The work of beautifying the mill property was begun four years ago, when the hedges and shrubbery were planted. Since that time, each year has added to it beauty until now it has reached the stage of lovliness.

75 Years Ago: From the May 29, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Child, 20 Months Old, Leaves on 1,400-Mile Flight

Ricky, 20-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Luis left Wold Chamberlain airport at Minneapolis Wednesday morning aboard a Northwest Airlines plane on a 1,400 mile flight to the house of his maternal grandmother … at …, MA…

50 Years Ago: From the May 31, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Planning Commission Balks at Extension of Tenth

At its regular meeting Thursday evening, May 25, the Shakopee Planning Commission referred its original study of Tenth Avenue back to the Common Council, thus reaffirming the Commissioners’ position that Tenth Avenue should not be extended as a State Aid street intersecting with either County Road 16 or County Road 83.

“It’s time we took a stand on this,” Chairman Gene Foudray said. He stressed that the Planning Commission is “not going to let the Common Council dictate to us how we’re going to plan the City of Shakopee.” The matter of the extension of Tenth Avenue has been before the Commission several times during the last two months.

The Commission, according to City Administrator Morris J. Anderson, feels that such an extension of Tenth Avenue as a State Aid street would be “impractical with regard to economics and design.” The study which the Common Council referred back to the Commission recommended that as a State Aid street Tenth Avenue stop at County Road 17, and continue eastward as a residential-collector street through Scenic Heights and the J. E. J. addition.

25 Years Ago: From the May 29, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Cub Foods, Norwest to be part of Marschall Rd. retail center

The Shakopee City Council on June 20 approved a preliminary plat for a retail development center that will include a Cub Foods store as the anchor.

Scott L. Ericson of Shakopee Associates in Edina said the 170,000-square-foot retail center, located on Marschall Road and Vierling Drive, will include a 70,000-square-foot, multitenant retail strip shop and six free standing stores including a SuperAmerica, Norwest Bank and a Wendy’s restaurant.

Ericson said retailers are being solicited for the retail center.

Construction for the 2.5-acre retail center is expected to begin in July with an anticipated April 1998 opening.

The council approved the preliminary plat on a 4-0 vote with Councilor Jane DuBois abstaining.

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 27, 1897 Scott County Argus

Messrs. W. N. Southworth and J. R. Buchanan have taken advantage of the recent rains to put their tennis court at the corner of Lewis and Third streets into first-class condition. After Jupiter Pluvius had soaked and resoaked the level court the young men got out and rolled a ponderous belt wheel from the mill over the surface, and it is gradually approaching perfection under their lavish expenditure of muscular tissue.

100 Years Ago: From the May 25, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Maurice Stans is the proud possessor of a new Radio outfit which he received last week for obtaining subscriptions to the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch. Maurice is very much interested in the outfit and has been busy for several days installing it. He has it complete now and is ready to enjoy Radio concerts.

75 Years Ago: From the May 22, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City-Wide Garbage Plan Urged

Unwilling to concede that the garbage collection problem is a dead issue here despite failure in several attempts to get the project under way, the Shakopee Commercial club Tuesday night gave new impetus to the proposition by adopting a resolution memorializing the city council to facilitate a citywide garbage collection system.

Previous efforts to solve the increasingly difficult problem have been on a voluntary basis under which those desiring the service would authorize and agree to pay for the service. Under the new proposal made to the council the city would assume responsibility for the collection and would finance the work from city funds obtained by a tax levy.

That creation of a city garbage collection system as proposed in the resolution would not be entirely agreeable to those who now feel they have no need for the service was readily admitted by proponents of the plan, but it was likewise generally agreed that the city has reached the point in its growth where garbage collection is as essential as public utilities or police and fire protection.

Members of the city council present at the session declined to commit themselves on the matter but gave assurance the question would be studied by them at the next regular meeting.

50 Years Ago: From the May 24, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Historic Restoration Site May Return to City

To Pave Way for HUD Grant…

Deed to the Scott County Historical Society’s Minnesota Valley Restoration site may have to be conveyed back to the city in order to satisfy federal requirements for a $250,000 grant for site improvements according to Margaret MacFarlane, restoration director.

Mrs. MacFarlane told the Shakopee City Council Tuesday night that the grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development was out of legal review in Washington, D.C., and apparently available to the society, but either the city or county must act as an agent.

25 Years Ago: From the May 22, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Lease for justice center OK’d

At its May 15 meeting, the Scott County Board authorized an agreement allowing the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to acquire an interest in the justice center campus in Shakopee…

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 20, 1897 Scott County Argus

At a meeting of the congregation of St. Mark’s church last Sunday it was decided to tear down the old chapel and frame buildings at the rear and erect in their place a small brick boiler house to run the steam heating plant of the church, school and priest’s house. The little chapel was built in 1856 and is dear to many old residents from the sad and sweet memories that cluster around it for them; but sentiment was indeed to give way before the spirit of improvement, and the work of demolition will be begun at once. The front of the church property will be walled up entirely with Kasota stone, and the broad wooden stairway at the front entrance will be replaced by ornamental iron stairs. The work of improvement as outlined will be expensive, but the beauty of the grounds and church edifice will be correspondingly enhanced.

100 Years Ago: From the May 18, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Julius A. Coller Receives Appointment

Julius A. Coller this week received from Governor Preus, an appointment as member of the State Crime Commission…

75 Years Ago: From the May 15, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Council Plans Utilities Board

Passage of a motion paving the way for the eventual creation of a utilities commission to take over the supervision and management of the city’s electric power distribution and water and sewer systems highlighted a long and heavy session of the Shakopee city council Tuesday night.

The utilities commission proposal, an outgrowth of many months of general discussion by council members and citizens in general, was presented by Alderman Lawrence Kreuser who has long advocated the measure. It would provide for the appointment of a three-man board to whom would be vested the authority to manage all of the city’s public utilities…

50 Years Ago: From the May 17, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Zoning for Apartments, Shopping Center Asked

Planners Recommend Approval…

At its meeting Thursday evening, May 11, the Shakopee Planning Commission recommended approval of a request by the Shakopee Sand and Gravel Company to have 122 acres of land rezoned from its present use as mining area to use as a multiple dwelling and commercial area.

The area lies west of the Shakopee High School between County Roads 17 and 79. The Shakopee Sand and Gravel Company plans to cease mining operations in the area in the near future.

Greg Roberts, representing the company, said that 100 acres of the land would be developed as a residential area comprised of single-family homes, townhouses and apartment buildings. 60.3 acres would be used for the construction of a shopping center, and 17 acres would be donated to the City of Shakopee for use as a municipal park.

Roberts said that proposed Trunk Highway 169 would run adjacent to the new shopping center. The shopping center would block much of the noise coming from the four-lane highway into the residential area, he added…

25 Years Ago: From the May 15, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Chaska bank opening Shakopee branch

Next spring, Shakopee will have one more bank, the First National Bank of Chaska.

Fall construction is planned for the 5,705-square-foot bank at the intersection of Marschall Road and Vierling Drive. The bank will have a drive-up window with three auto-bank lanes and two more in the future. An automated teller machine will be located along one of the drive-up lanes.

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 13, 1897 Scott County Argus

There is a cycle path in town, and it is worthy the name. It extends alongside the roadway from Hubert Marx’s residence to the Lutheran church, two blocks that have heretofore been almost impassable to cyclists, on account of sand. Its construction is due to the good will of the residents of that neighborhood, notably Clem Affolter, whose hoe and rake have been plied through several evenings. This pioneer work and its excellent results should serve as an incentive to others and even to the great city itself. At small expense many bad stretches of roadway could be made into a cyclists’ paradise, and the sidewalk question would settle itself.

100 Years Ago: From the May 11, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Improvements Being Made at Upper Catholic Cemetery

Vast improvements are being made at Upper Catholic cemetery. The lane leading from the public highway to the cemetery has been graded the past year and this spring a row of elm trees has been planted along each side of the road, which makes it quite attractive.

The new addition to the cemetery on the south side has been platted and shrubbery has been planted there. Other improvements will be made soon and will continue during the summer.

The work has been done under the personal supervision of Rev. Dean M. Savs, to whom much credit is due for the interest he displays in furthering the good cause of beautifying the cemetery.

75 Years Ago: From the May 8, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Phone Strike Ends
Service Restored

Ending a strike that for 28 days had limited service to emergency calls only, several thousand Northwestern Bell telephone workers returned to their jobs Tuesday morning after negotiators Monday night reached a wage agreement that will provide weekly pay increases ranging from $3.50 to $4.00.

With the return of operators to their positions at the switchboard, Shakopee service was back to normal almost immediately, but it was not until late in the morning that many residents of the community learned the strike had been settled.

Still unsettled late Tuesday, however, was the strike of long lines of employees who did not return to their jobs. This situation was expected to be cleared before the end of the week, thus restoring service to normalcy throughout the nation…

50 Years Ago: From the May 10, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

$10 Million Roofing Products Plant for VIP

Certain-teed Products Corp. and its Minneapolis subsidiary, B. F. Nelson Manufacturing Co., have announced plans to erect a $10 million asphalt roofing plant on a 60-acre site in the Valley Industrial Park in Shakopee…

25 Years Ago: From the May 8, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

State agency approves ADC grant

The city of Shakopee and ADC Telecommunications Inc. have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development to receive a $250,000 state loan to help the company expand its operations and establish headquarters in the city. ADC will create 75 new jobs and leverage $23 million in private investment for 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 6, 1897 Scott County Argus

Wm. Pinger has removed to the Yost place west of town, and will engage in market gardening. There are ten acres well tilled in the plot.

100 Years Ago: From the May 4, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

New Business to Be Opened May 10^th

Peter A. Rademacher, who has been in the employ of Henry Mergens for the past three years, is opening a shop in the Philipp building and will conduct an up-to-date Auto Radiator Repair Shop and will also do Tinsmith and general repair work.

Mr. Rademacher has had about 15 years experience in his work and is well qualified and should make good. He announces that his new shop will be open and ready for business about May 10^th.

75 Years Ago: From the May 1, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Power Disrupted As Shovel Boom Snags High Line

To most folks who were aware of it the brief electric power failure here at 8:15 last Thursday morning was just a slight inconvenience that was promptly remedied; but to the crew of the Fox and Weiler excavating outfit the matter was serious business.

While using their gas shovel to excavate a trench in West Shakopee, the towering boom of the shovel came in contact with a 2,300-volt transmission line overhead, cutting one of the “loaded” wires.

Sparks flew and hair stood on end at the thought of what might have happened to the shovel operator if the current had grounded through the machine. Fortunately the ends of the broken wire lashed away from the shovel and workmen, and no one was hurt.

50 Years Ago: From the May 3, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Dr. Buck Becomes First Honorary Staff Member

Dr. H. F. Buck, M. D., was made an honorary member of the staff of St. Francis Hospital in a ceremony held at the hospital Monday evening, April 24.

Dr. Buck is the first member of the Honorary Medical Staff, a category which was recently established by a revision of the medical staff bylaws…

25 Years Ago: From the May 1, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Work on Co. Rd. 18 resumes

Construction resumed last week on the widening of County Road 18, from County Road 42 to the Shakopee Bypass.

The project, in Shakopee and Prior Lake, is scheduled for completion by September after being delayed in court by residents who reside along the road and oppose the plans.

Plans call for the section at County Road 18 from County Road 42 to just past County Road 16 to be a divided highway with curbs and gutters, then become a rural section road without curbs and gutters.

Reconstruction and realignment of County Road 18 started last fall with clearing and construction of the roadway embankment in the project area north of County Road 16. A retaining wall has also been constructed along a section of County Road 18 between the west and east section of County Road 16.

The contractor has resumed work on the roadway embankment construction and installation of drainage area curbs north of County Road 16. Workers will be placing aggregate base before pouring the concrete curb and gutter and paving the roadway in the area.

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 29, 1897 Scott County Argus

Geo. Demerse is improving his residence property by surrounding the two lots with a fancy board fence which when painted will add much to the appearance of the home.

100 Years Ago: From the April 27, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dellwo and family are moving into the garage on their premises, where they will live this summer, while building their new home.

75 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Wage Question Halts Building

Work on construction of a large warehouse for Northrup-King and company here was halted Tuesday as a result of a wage scale dispute between S. M. Hennen, contractor, and representatives of a Minneapolis AFL building trades local, it was learned.

Six Shakopee residents were employed on the job which had just got under way when the difficulty arose. The men, not members of a union, had agreed to do common labor for … cents per hour.

According to Hennen the representatives of the union which, under agreement with the General Contractors association, has jurisdiction over five counties, including Scott county, reported that the common … scale be increased to $1.15 per hour on the Shakopee project to … with that in effect in Minneapolis and of other similar building construction jobs…

50 Years Ago: From the April 26, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Ground will be broken at noon Sunday, May 7, for construction of a new church for the Shakopee Assemblies of God congregation, according to pastor Rev. David Buschow. Scheduled to speak at brief on-site ceremonies are Fred A. Weiland, president of the Shakopee First National Bank, and Ray Foslid, Mayor. The building … will be the first phase of a two-stage construction program on the 4 ½ acre site owned by the congregation since 1967. It will face Tenth Avenue when the street is extended to the east, near the intersection with the Sand and Gravel Pit Road. The Assemblies of God Church has been located in the church building at 715 East First Avenue in Shakopee since its local beginning in 1953. Pastor Buschow said the new church would have a capacity of 180, and would also have facilities in a walk-out lower level for Sunday School and educational activities. Eventually, the first stage of construction will become an educational building, with a separate sanctuary to be constructed at a later time. The building is scheduled for completion by December of this year.

25 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Contract OK’d for fire hall construction

After reviewing 10 bids, the Shakopee City Council awarded the contract for construction of a second fire station James Steele Construction Co., of St. Paul, which had the low bid of $2.3 million.

Bids ranged as high as $2.5 million. Steele’s base bid of $2.3 million, plus eight alternate bids increases the total contract amount to be awarded to $2.4 million. Construction will begin within the next few weeks and completion is scheduled for early 1998.

The eight alternate bids include a $3,800 bell stand to house the original 1860 fire house bell and a $5,200 fire pole…

The council also voted to authorize the issuance and sale of $3.4 million in general obligation building bonds to finance the construction of the fire station.

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 22, 1897 Scott County Argus

Nic Dondelinger’s saloon was thrown open last Monday, in the Thole building, and the “temperance billiard hall” was opened in the Jos. Voelker building alongside, the same day. “The Exchange,” run by Hickey & Arensbach, began business under license number 15, the day following.

100 Years Ago: From the April 20, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Ed V. Mertz to Be Manager of Ball Team

At a committee meeting of the Board of Managers held last Sunday afternoon, Ed V. Mertz was chosen manager of the baseball team for this season.

This will be pleasing news to Shakopee baseball fans. It is a well known fact that Ed is highly qualified for this position. He suggests that local players, who wish to try out for the team should get in touch with him and arrange to practice in the par just as soon as the weather will permit.

75 Years Ago: From the April 17, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Telephone Strike in Second Week as Deadlock Holds

Now in its second week, the nationwide strike of telephone workers continues to further impress a foot-weary public, just how dependent business and organized society are on telephone service.

Although emergency service has been maintained by a small corps of supervisory employees here and throughout the vast regions affected by the strike, it appeared likely early this week that restoration of normal service could not be expected in the immediate future…

50 Years Ago: From the April 19, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

School Land Bond Issue Defeated

717 No, 399 Yes…

An attempt to preserve land for future junior high school construction south and west of the present Shakopee Senior High site failed Tuesday, as voters turned thumbs down on a bond issue request by the school board for funds to purchase the property.

A total of 1117 voters went to the Junior High band room to cast their ballots. Of that total, only 399 voted for the issue and 717 voted no…

25 Years Ago: From the April 17, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

School start-times may change

High school would begin 20 minutes later

A proposal to alter school start times and transportation arrangements was presented to the Shakopee School Board at Monday night’s meeting.

Superintendent Bob Ostlund presented the proposal that had been drawn up with the help of Shakopee Services, the transportation company that handles the district’s busing. In the proposal, the first bus run would transport senior high, junior high and Shakopee Area Catholic School junior high students to their respective schools. The high school start time would be moved back almost a half hour to 7:50 a.m. with a release time of 2:30 p.m. The junior high start time would be 8 a.m. with a 2:40 p.m. release time.

The second bus run would transport Central School and SACS first- through fifth-grade students to their respective schools. Central Elementary would then start at 8:40 a.m., with a 3:15 p.m. release time.

The third and final run would transport Pearson and Sweeney elementary school students for a 9:15 a.m. start time with a 3:50 p.m. release time.

Ostlund said one of the reasons for the change in transportation schedules and school start times is due to the “sheer imbalance of numbers of students being transported to the elementary school.”

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 15, 1897 Scott County Argus

Reis Bros. took out a building permit Tuesday evening for their new livery barn. The new portion is to be 27×60, and the old part will go up two stories in height, with the new.

100 Years Ago: From the April 13, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

M. J. Berens & Sons Redecorate Store

M. J. Berens and Sons store has been completely renovated the past few weeks and at present is a credit to our enterprising little city.

New shelving has been installed and the entire interior of the store has been redecorated, giving it a very inviting and pleasing appearance.

The arrangement of their window display is deserving of much credit and compares favorably with the large department stores of the cities.

M. J. Berens and Sons are enterprising merchants, who aim to progress steadily.

75 Years Ago: From the April 10, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Firemen Plan Purchase of Lung Device

Shakopee and its surrounding community will be among the first in the state to possess a portable iron lung if plans under way by the Shakopee Fire department materialize, H. J. Pass, fire chief, announced this week…

50 Years Ago: From the April 12, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Vote on School Land Purchase Tuesday

Light Turnout Expected…

School District 720 voters will be asked to authorize the sale of $290,000 in a special bond issue election to be held Tuesday, April 18…

The amount being requested by the Shakopee Board of Education is $290,000. It will be used primarily to purchase land adjacent to the present Senior High School site, although a sizeable amount would be utilized in making improvements in present senior high facilities, such as playing fields, to prepare for the increased student load at that building when junior high students begin attending classes there next fall when split shifts are initiated.

If successful, the school board will purchase approximately 58 acres of land south and west of the 27 acres now occupied by the Senior High School, for a total campus of 85 acres. This acreage is minimal for two 1500 student schools, according to in-guidelines received by the board from the state Department of Education…

25 Years Ago: From the April 10, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Council votes 3-2 to close Fuller Street

The Shakopee City Council Tuesday night voted 3-2, with Councilors Jane DuBois and Clete Link dissenting, to prepare a resolution to vacate Fuller Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues for a county justice center.

The decision followed a second public hearing held earlier in the evening. The decision also came after a series of meetings and protests by county and city officials and neighbors. The county requested the closure of the street to continue plans for a justice center campus surrounding the courthouse in Shakopee. County officials contend they need to connect the current courthouse with a new building at a single entrance on Fuller Street.

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 8, 1897 Scott County Argus

Jack Frost is frequently a mischief maker. One of his latest pranks was the upsetting of a pile of wood at the foot of the alley at the rear of Jos. Nachtsheim’s bakery. There was a lot of the wood, and it was piled eight feet high, and when it came tumbling down upon Aug. Scherkenbach’s cutter, it put an end to that vehicle about as effectually as the hundred year’s wear did the memorable “one-hoss shay.”

100 Years Ago: From the April 6, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Business Change

C. D. McKinnon of River Falls, Wis., this week purchased from Fred Stelten, the pool room and soft drink parlor owned and conducted by him for several years. Mr. McKinnon took possession Monday.

Mr. McKinnon owned and managed an up-to-date hotel at River Falls for the past twelve years. He states that he will rearrange the pool hall and replace the old tables that are now in use with new ones.

Mr. Stelten has no definite plans for the future, however, it is hoped, he will decide to remain in this city.

75 Years Ago: From the April 3, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee Corn Field Gets Cover Spot on Seed Trade Paper

The fame of Shakopee as a seed corn growing center was spread far and wide this week with the distribution of the widely circulated trade journal, “Seed World” which on its cover carried an aerial photo of a 100-acre seed corn field developed by Leo Huss under an acreage contract with Northrup King and Company last year.

A beautiful view of the river bottom and west of Shakopee, the picture’s focal point is the … striped cornfield with its alternate rows of male and female corn.

Describing the picture is this legend:

“One of Northrup King and Company’s 100-acre hybrid seed corn production fields on the Minnesota river bottoms near Shakopee where … is ideal…”

50 Years Ago: From the April 5, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Petition Asking Repeal of NSP Franchise Ordinance Is Filed

May Result in Referendum…

A city-granted franchise to Northern States Power may be submitted to the citizens of Shakopee in a referendum if a petition circulated by Martin Walsh, former city assessor and secretary to the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission, is found to have enough valid signatures. That petition has been filed.

Others on the Referendum Committee which circulated the petition were Joseph A. Whelan, Marceline Hickman, R. W. Jasper, Agnes F. Horeish, Melvin P. Lebens and Suzanne Goodspeed.

Walsh initiated the petition as a result of his belief that Ordinance No. 337, which granted NSP permission to furnish electric service to some firms in the City of Shakopee, would result in a conflict between NSP and the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission over service areas and would eventually lead to a complete NSP monopoly of electric service in Shakopee…

25 Years Ago: From the April 3, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Site visit of SJHS is second phase of Blue Ribbon selection process

On Thursday and Friday, Dr. Brian Metke, superintendent of the Glendale School District in Glendale, Ore., will be on campus at Shakopee Junior High School in the second phase of the National Schools of Excellence Blue Ribbon Schools selection process.

Shakopee Junior High School was accepted for a site visit after submitting a 41-page self-nomination. The purpose of Metke’s visit is to verify information in the nomination…

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 1, 1897 Scott County Argus

Jack Frost is frequently a mischief maker. One of his latest pranks was the upsetting of a pile of wood at the foot of the alley at the rear of Jos. Nachtsheim’s bakery. There was a lot of the wood, and it was piled eight feet high, and when it came tumbling down upon Aug. Scherkenbach’s cutter, it put an end to that vehicle about as effectually as the hundred year’s wear did the memorable “one-hoss shay.”

100 Years Ago: From the March 30, 1922 Shakopee Tribune

Work Completed on Sisters Home

Improvements on the Sisters’ residence in connection with St. Mark’s school, which was partly destroyed by fire about two months ago, were completed the past week and the Sisters are again domiciled in their home.

The work was performed in a very satisfactory manner and the rooms present a very bright and cheerful appearance. The kitchen and community room on first floor and several rooms on second floor were completely renovated and re-furnished. The rooms on the east side of the building, which were not in the path of the fire, however, were damaged by smoke will be redecorated after the completion of the school year.

The improvements were made under the personal supervision of Rev. Father Savs, who is deserving of much commendation for the creditable manner in which the work was performed.

75 Years Ago: From the March 27, 1947 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

N. Y. A. Land Bill Moves Nearer to Final Approval

The bill which would authorize the transfer of the former NYA property title from the state to the city of Shakopee was reported to have cleared another hurdle early this week, as the measure was placed on general orders to the house, Mayor J. J. Cavanaugh disclosed.

A companion measure was approved by a vote of the senate earlier and the bill is now expected to come before the house this week, the mayor said…

50 Years Ago: From the March 29, 1972 Shakopee Valley News

Split Shifts At Senior High Next Fall

Board Votes 4-3 On Decision…

Faced with choices ranging from bad to worse, the Shakopee Board of Education determined Monday night to institute a split-shift for Shakopee students on the secondary level, moving the junior high students to the Senior High building next fall.

The emergency measure is necessary to provide space for the rapidly increasing number of elementary students.

Preliminary thinking is to instruct the 600 senior high students in the morning hours, and the 450 junior high students in the afternoon. The present junior high building will become an elementary school…

25 Years Ago: From the March 27, 1997 Shakopee Valley News

Demolition contract for Blocks 3, 4 approved by city

Work to start week of April 14

The Shakopee City Council last week approved a contract with Dulas Excavating of Wells, Minn., for the demolition of Blocks 3 and 4 in the downtown…

Preparation for the demolition of the two blocks, according to Paul Snook, city economic development coordinator, will begin this week with the removal of … Before a building can be demolished Hazardous Materials Abatement Corp. of Brooklyn Park will remove all the asbestos and other hazardous materials including … and light bulbs.

The week of April 14 is when the actual demolition is scheduled to begin. Snook said it will take a week to demolish the buildings. After removing the building debris, Dulas will complete the project by filling the holes remaining from demolition and put up a chain link fence…