Page 5 – Shakopee Snapshots

150 Years Ago: From the April 23, 1874 Shakopee Argus

The Old and New Drug Stores have consolidated in Strunk & Son. E. G. Halle & Co. have passed out of existence as dealers in drugs.

125 Years Ago: From the April 20, 1899 Scott County Argus

John Mertz will remove his saloon from his present quarters in the Kohls & Berens block to the fine large store in the Busse block, two doors east, beginning business there about the first of May. Kohls & Berens are planning to remodel their place of business, taking in the room vacated for use as a clothing department. This work will be done this season, and later on they hope to have their entire block in use as one store.

125 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Last Saturday evening about 7 o’clock fire was discovered in the large show window of Berens & Grafenstatt, and for about fifteen minutes there threatened to be a thorough gutting of the building, but the prompt action of Mr. Berens and a few of the firemen, who were promptly on hand, confined the flames to the stock that filled the windows. The damage to the stock and plate glass will probably amount to $600 or $700.

100 Years Ago: From the April 25, 1924 Shakopee Argus

E. G. Darsow, one of the members of the committee appointed to circulate among the property owners of whiteway district No. 1 which embraces the business district of Shakopee, reported that the signatures of nearly every property owner had been obtained and the committee was instructed to present the petition to the city council for final action. So that it is now almost a foregone conclusion that the whiteway socalled will be installed in the very near future.

100 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Leonard Van Sloun is contemplating building a new home, the plan for which has been furnished by the Henry Simons Lumber Co. The home when built will be 24×26 two story, stucco, with 3 rooms on the first floor and 3 rooms and bath on the second floor. It will be strictly modern including a heating plant. Simons Lumber Company is also preparing a plan for Chas. Schesso, who is contemplating building just as soon as he secures a suitable lot.

75 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Damages Shed

Believed to have started from burning rubbish, fire damaged a storage shed at the rear of the M. J. Berens store and Valley bakery Wednesday morning. Contents of the shed included old shelving and dry goods storage cabinets. The east wall of the building was extensively burned, and the contents water soaked. Firemen promptly extinguished the blaze.

75 Years Ago: From the April 21, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

2 New Doctors Coming June 1

Dr. L. J. Heinz and his wife, Dr. Ivy Heinz have acquired the practice of Dr. J. C. Klein, local physician and surgeon, it was announced this week.

Their coming will give the city the unusual combination of a man and his wife, both practicing physicians and surgeons. They also purchased the home of Dr. Klein. At present, the Heinz’ are in Wabasso, Minnesota, but expect to arrive in Shakopee about June 1. They have three children six, three and 14 months old…

50 Years Ago: From the April 24, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Courthouse bids appear to exceed project estimates

Bids that appeared to far exceed the expected cost of a new county courthouse were opened by the Scott County Board of Commissioners.

Combining the lowest base bids for general, mechanical and electrical construction produced a price tag of roughly $2.67 million. The county had planned on spending just under $2 million when it presented courthouse plans to voters.

The county asked for bids that allowed it to put together various features of a new building. By eliminating some of the features, the county could get below the base bid to about $2.31 million…

25 Years Ago: From the April 22, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Technology needs described to board

With new schools on the horizon and the next millennium just around the corner, the Shakopee School District needs to streamline its computer systems and equipment to accommodate change, consultants told School Board members last week.

Representatives from Epic USA, hired to complete an audit of the district’s technology resources, offered a series of recommendations to board members at their regular meeting April 12.

Among the firm’s suggestions were upgrades in staffing, creation of a district web page, additional technology training for staff, and a gradual transition from slower, outdated computers to faster, more powerful systems. Consultants also recommended adding support staff to assist Technology Coordinator Leon McNellis, who is stretched thin…

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