Shakopee Snapshots

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 29, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Many of our citizens are making preparation for building early in the Spring. But some cannot even wait for the spring season. We note that during this week a new frame for a good sized house has been erected in East Shakopee.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 2, 1899 Scott County Argus

C. L. Wilcox is planning to build a cottage on First street, on the lot east of C. E. Busse’s residence, this spring. With some grading, and filling in a portion of the deep ravine on the edge of which the lot lies, the site will be changed into one of the best in that portion of the city.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Last Wednesday Mr. Charles Krutsinger, who for the past four months has been conducting the saloon in the Nieters building near the depot, sold his stock to Adam Huth, who took posession at once. Mr. Huth needs no introduction to the people of Shakopee and vicinity, being an old Scott county boy, but who for the past eight years has been living at Bird Island. Mr. Krutsinger will leave Shakopee in a few days, and is contemplating a trip to the Pacific coast. He is an affable young man and has made many warm friends during his brief stay here, all of whom regret his departure, but wish him success wherever fortune may take him.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Prominent Shakopee Man Heads Minnesota Organization

A signal honor was shown one of Shakopee’s best known business men last week when John B. Ries, president of the Jacob Ries Bottling Works, Inc., of this city was elected president of the state bottlers at their annual convention, January 25-26.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

No Change in River League

That the Minnesota River Baseball league will remain an eight-team league was determined Sunday afternoon when representatives of the communities which compose the loop voted to continue the organization as it was last season.

Shakopee and Chaska had applied for membership in the circuit when it was learned there was a possibility it might be expanded to a 10-team league.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 27, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee Awarded ’49 Minnesota Legion Junior Baseball Tourney

City Continues As “Baseball Capital of Minnesota” This Year

The greatest summer youth classic of Minnesota, the state American Legion Junior Baseball tournament will be staged at Riverside Park, Shakopee, in 1949, it was decided Saturday.

Meeting in St. Pual, the 10 district athletic officers, comprising the state Legion athletic board, accepted the bid of Shakopee Post No. 2 to sponsor the four day meet…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 30, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Junior High plans considered by Board

A split level junior high building was proposed and accepted at the school board meeting Monday evening.

The building, which would be located on district owned land east of County Rd. 17 and South of 11th Ave. would take advantage of the natural slope of the land. The split level concept is the best at this point according to James Rydeen one of the architects of the building.

The architects schematic drawing showed the front of the building facing south with the entrance off of County Rd. 17. A parking lot for 130 cars was located in front of the building and the phy-ed playing fields east south east of the rectangle shaped building.

The architects also planned for expansion by allowing areas for addition coming West and North…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 28, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

City looks at moratorium on new housing

Citing concerns that Shakopee might not be evolving the way city leaders want it to, the City Council and Planning Commission have discussed bringing residential growth to a temporary standstill.

In a joint workshop with the Planning Commission Jan. 25, the council discussed enacting a moratorium on residential development. Councilor Bob Sweeney, who proposed the moratorium, suggested a six-month period. During that time, city staff and members of the Planning Commission and City Council could take stock in the way the city has grown and adjust the zoning controls which the council deems are in need of adjustment…

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

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 22, 1874 Shakopee Argus

New Bakery. Mr. Joseph Nachtsheim has started a new Bakery on First Street East of the Argus Office. He is ready to supply all families with good bread fresh baked, and all kinds of cakes. He will soon have his bakery ready to make Crackers sufficient to supply the whole Minnesota Valley.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 26, 1899 Scott County Argus

Operations are to be commenced in a few days upon the new structure for Flaherty and Lies. The old building is to be torn down and made use of in the erection of a feedstore, warehouse and stable, which will adjoin the rear and run along the alley a distance of 80 feet. The feedstore entrance will be on Lewis street. Then when building weather comes the brick store, 40 x 80 feet in size, two stories high, will go up. It promises to be a splendid improvement to the town.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Last evening about 6 o’clock, the dummy in front of Segelbaum’s store was stripped of its winter apparel—a valuable coonskin coat—by some bold “gentleman” who evidently was looking for something “warm.” He got what he was looking for when he took that coat, but in a few moments his ardor for warm things was cooled when that sleuth of detectives, Carl Lilienfield, assisted by one of our best local assistants, overhauled him at the postoffice corner and—handed him into the custody of Nightwatchman Osterfeld. He will have an opportunity to explain matters to “his honor” this morning.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 25, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Am. Legion Project

All men over school age are invited to meet next Monday evening, at eight o’clock, at Legion hall to organize classes in physical exercises under the supervision of John J. Jacobi, athletic director of Shakopee high school.

Members of the American Legion are sponsoring the project and very great interest in the proposed classes is manifested by the young men of the city. Many are expected to avail themselves of this opportunity.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

County Nurse Group Formed

Scott county moved closer to the inauguration of its public health nursing service when the committee, appointed to set the program in operation, met for the first time in the courthouse here Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. W. A. Pomije, Shakopee, was elected chairman; Dr. B. F. Pearson, county health officer, vice chairman, and B. A. Herzog, county superintendent of schools, secretary of the committee.

Other members are Mrs. Exerine Tolzman, Belle Plaine, and Ernest Wermerskirchen, chairman of the board of county commissioners…

Although the group gave its attention to the primary problem of securing a qualified nurse for the project no action in that direction can be taken, it was explained, until the county commissioners make the necessary appropriation to finance the work.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 20, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Consider Shakopee For Field Trials

Possibility that the Minnesota Field Dog Trials may be held at Shakopee in 1949 were evident this week as a committee Field Trial association surveyed the community. A spring and fall meet, both under the auspices of the American Kennel club, will be held. According to the committee, Shakopee is being favorably considered, and is sufficient housing can be found for the hundreds of participants and spectators, the trials will come here. Committee members here Tuesday were Jerry Carnes, Minneapolis, and George Alt and Fisk Marshall of Long Lake.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 23, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Shopping Center plans going well Chamber told

Plans for the Minnesota Valley Mall, a new shopping center to be built in Shakopee, are progressing according to project developer Gene Williams…

The mall will feature an enclosed walkway and 150,000 square feet of shopping space. The design indicates larger stores in the center of the mall with smaller shops along the perimeter.

Super Value food stores will anchor the center, and Williams said leases for others stores are now being finalized…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 21, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Realignment of Co. 16 proposed for development

A proposal that would realign the intersection of county roads 16 and 83 in Shakopee and bring new commercial development to the area might require the city to hand over control of 17th Avenue to Scott County…

The county wants the road to serve as a reliever for traffic on Highway 169, according to County Engineer Brad Larson. Under the proposal, which has primarily been discussed at the staff level, the roadway would become County Road 16. The existing 2 ½-mile stretch of County Road 16 between County Road 83 and Marschall Road would likely be handed over to the city, Larson said…

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

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 15, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Twenty teams a day come to our market loaded with wheat. The Elevator is receiving about one thousand bushels of wheat each day, and it all goes as No. 1. At Shakopee wheat is bringing about ten cents a bushel more than at any other market within twenty miles.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 19, 1899 Scott County Argus

The change of the week in business circles was the admission by Fred P. Lauer of Henry C. Kohls as a partner in his shoe business. An experience of a year convinced Mr. Lauer that he could not give both the sales department and the repair work of his growing trade sufficient attention alone, even though he gave up every moment of his waking hours to the work. The admission of Mr. Kohls into the firm will be a direct benefit to the business and Mr. Lauer personally. Both are young men of integrity and worth in business circles and in every way worthy of success. Mr. Kohls has been employed for several years past as a clerk in his father’s firm, the old established Kohls & Berens, general merchants, and hence carries a good deal of experience with him into his new departure.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

About twenty loads of lumber were conveyed by team yesterday from the depot to Marystown for Geo. H. Theis, who intends to erect a large barn at once.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 17, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee’s Birth Rate Considerably Increased

The best evidence of the growth of a city is in its birth rate. The statistics for 1923 show that there were fifty-five new arrivals from Babyland in Shakopee during 1923.

This is an increase of twenty-three percent above the highest number of births heretofore recorded in Shakopee during one year.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 18, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Mrs. Matt Vierling has entered a contest put on by a Minneapolis paper for an automobile and her friends are all hoping that she will prove the lucky one to win it.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Complete 800-ft. Stretch of Sewer in East Shakopee

Beating the frost and the usual spring floods, the Griffith Engineering and Construction company has completed the laying of 800 feet of 12-inch sewer line and the construction of three manholes in the lowland north of First street in East Shakopee…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Cooked Spuds Almost Available Tuesday

Potatoes, roasted in the sack, were almost available in limited quantities here Tuesday afternoon when the Shakopee Fire Department was called to extinguish a fire in a truck loaded with spuds, parked on the main business district. The truck, owned by Thomas Thompson, St. Paul, was parked in front of Burshek’s when a kerosene heater tipped over. Little damage resulted.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 16, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Kawasaki plant nears completion

The new Kawasaki building neared completion this week as workmen put the finishing touches on front offices. Office employees of the new research and development center were expected to move in shortly. In the rear of the building are research and testing facilities which are expected to be completed next month. The seven test rooms will be equipped to test snowmobile engines under a wide range of conditions. Kawasaki is the first Japanese company to build in Minnesota. The plant is located in Valley Industrial Park.

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 14, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Enrollment projected to surge

New school may be needed soon

Enrollment in Shakopee Schools could increase by more than 73 percent over the next 10 years, with a tremendous surge in kindergarten students expected next year.

This and other information provided by the annual census and enrollment projection for the school district spurred discussion among School Board members Monday. The data, based on a mathematical model which uses census and enrollment figures from the past five years to predict future enrollment trends, was presented by Ron Ward, administrative services director…

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

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 8, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Occidental Hotel

It has been known by most of our citizens that Mr. G. W. Gellenbeck commenced late in the season to put up a new hotel. Our readers will be a little surprised in what a short time he has completed it so as to be ready for occupancy. On Friday evening last the Occidental was thrown open to the public, and a right jolly time was had of it.

The Occidental is located on First Street at the corner of Sommerville Street…

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 12, 1899 Scott County Argus

John Hilgers is digging a well to supply the two houses owned by Henry Hinds and located on Sommerville street north of the M.E. church. He has dug down to the rock a distance of forty feet, and next week will have the work completed by the Henry Huss well drilling company.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Attorney E. Southworth was in St. Paul Tuesday and Wednesday and argued the motion for a new trial in the case of First Nat’l Bank vs. estate of H. B. Strait, before the Supreme Court.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Harry Stans of Chaska is assisting his brother Hubert Stans for a few days this week in the decorating of the council rooms.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1924 Shakopee Argus

It is rumored that a local bus station may be established in the former Peoples Bank building at the corner of Second and Lewis streets. The location is central and would be an excellent site for the purpose.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Nurse for County is Assured

A county nurse for Scott county was assured Tuesday afternoon when the board of commissioners, acting on the request of a delegation representing the women’s organizations of the county, voted to inaugurate the program and name the necessary committee…

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Hanson’s Remodel

Hanson’s Ice Cream Parlor is under going a new look. The interior of the building is being remodeled and redecorated so the establishment will be closed to business for a week or ten days while the work is being completed.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 9, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Monastery and barn to be added to Minnesota Valley restoration site

A monastery and a century old barn will soon be added to the Minnesota Valley Restoration site, east of Shakopee on Highway 101, according to Margaret MacFarlane, restoration director…

The barn will be added to the 1880 farm at the MVRP. It is a “beautiful thing” according to Mrs. MacFarlane and in good condition. There are six to seven inch hand made nails used as well as pegs to join the timbers.

Although now owned by Al Breimhorst, the barn was built by Irish settlers in the 1890’s.

The monastery, dwarfed by tall pines, is located near the St. Mary’s Purification church in Marystown…

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

150 Years Ago: From the Jan. 1, 1874 Shakopee Argus

What has become of the once famous Shakopee Copper Mining Company? Why are they not at work sinking that shaft into the bowels of the earth?

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 5, 1899 Scott County Argus

George Theis, of Marystown, has purchased of the St. Croix Lumber company the lumber for a big granary, 40×70 feet in size with an additional shed 16 feet long. John T. Kreuser has the contract for the building, and work will be begun as soon as there is sufficient snow to make hauling possible.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

One of the latest improved talking machines, the ‘Graphophone’ has been placed in Otto Spielmann’s saloon recently. It is one of the most interesting and amusing, as well as the most wonderful machines ever invented.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 3, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

For Sale—About nine 10-acre plots located West of Shakopee’s city park, fair grounds and athletic field. Each plot has a frontage on the Minnesota river. The location of these plots is especially desirable. For price and particulars, communicate with Wm. Ryan, 1950 Dayton Ave., St. Paul.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee high school opens its conference season with a game in Dawson’s hall next Monday night, playing the Belle Plaine high school. In close succession ten games will be played, five here and five away, to determine the district winners. With its whole team from last year intact Shakopee is going to make bid for high honors. The game Monday will be well worth seeing. A fast preliminary will precede the regular game. The Shakopee team consists of the following: Edwin Cooper, captain, Fred Ring, Leo Hartmann, Howard Ries, Grant Lundberg, Roman Kopp, Walter Majerus, and Dale Chapman.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 30, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Fighters to Stage School for 800 in Shakopee

Plans for a fire school that is expected to attract nearly 800 firemen to Shakopee next July will be discussed at a committee meeting to be he held here early next month, H. J. Pass, Shakopee fire chief, disclosed this week…

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 2, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Highway by-pass for Shakopee receives new emphasis

Plans for a highway by-pass to the south of Shakopee’s central business district and Valley Industrial Park took a step forward last week.

Local government officials, Metropolitan Council members and Highway Department representatives met before the Scott County Board of Commissioners last Thursday to discuss those plans.

The meeting resulted in a proposal to create a task force of the factions involved to formulate a specific route for the highway and an official map of the area…

The goal of the task force will be to designate a specific route for the by-pass which will be considerably narrower than the 2,000 foot corridor now indicated. The designated route will be used in an official map of the area which will have to be approved by each of the governments involved.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

County to have new treasurer, auditor in 1999

Scott County will have a new auditor and treasurer in 1999 following action by commissioners last week.

Meeting for the final time in 1998, the County Board on Dec. 22 appointed James Berg as the new county auditor and Michael Nguyen as county treasurer. Pat Boeckman was appointed county recorder, a position she won by election…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 29, 1898 Scott County Argus

The early sleighing created quite a boom in the wood market, and hundreds of cords have been hauled in and sold on the street at good prices. Herman Schroeder of the City Brick yard has already added a thousand cords to the long ranks in the wood yard in East Shakopee; and still it comes. He states that there have been as many as forty teams at his yard in one day. He has bought wood from forty five different parties, that is, contracted for considerable amounts from that number of farmers. He thinks there was a greater amount of wood cut last winter than usual owing to the light snowfall and the prevailing good prices. He is paying $2.25 for soft wood and $2.75 for oak, which is more than is offered in neighboring towns, hence the large amount marketed here.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 27, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The King Midas Milling Co. as usual played the generous roll of Santa Claus by giving all of their mill employees a Christmas gift and they also presented a goodly number of sacks of King Midas flour to various people and organizations about town in appreciation of their co-operation during the past year.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 23, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Five Ice Rinks Serve Fans Here

Shakopee skating enthusiasts are definitely not lacking in places to enjoy the sport this year—five municipal rinks are now in operation, Leonard Siebenaler, superintendent of parks and streets, announced this week.

Two of the rinks have been prepared in the recreation park near the Scout cabin; another is located on the south side of Shakopee avenue; a fourth in Holmes park, and the fifth on the vacant lot north of St. Mark’s school on West Third street.

Siebenaler, assisted by James Rein and members of the Shakopee fire department, got the skating areas in shape last week. All of the rinks were opened Friday night and have been in constant use since that time.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 26, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee’s downtown revitalization plans receive new emphasis

Plans for revitalizing Shakopee’s downtown business district advanced recently with the hiring of a development consultant firm.

Shakopee’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has been discussing plans and ideas for a new look downtown for several months, and the city has hired the consultants to get the project moving toward something concrete.

The new firm is The Hodge Stageberg Partners Inc., and the man who will work on the project is John Gravender.

Gravender has a series of meetings planned with local businessmen and community leaders during January to assess their views on the planning…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 24, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Despite city concerns, train speeds to increase

Officials from Union Pacific Railroad said its decision to increase the speed of its trains from 10 to 30 mph through Shakopee was good for both the city and the railroad.

The Shakopee City Council didn’t buy a word of it.

Mayor Jon Brekke told company officials at the Dec. 15 council meeting that the city would use every means at its disposal to reverse the railroad’s decision. The council voted unanimously to direct City Attorney Jim Thomson to research the city’s legal options…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 22, 1898 Scott County Argus

One of the prettiest of the many handsome window displays of the merchants for holiday week is that of L. Schaefer, who has constructed a grotto out of rolls of cotton of a light green color literally sprinkled with tinsel. In this are displayed many handsome pieces of jewelry, watches and silverware, and when at night it is lit up with bright gas jets, the effect is striking, and very pleasing to the eye.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 20, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Local Mill is Exporting Flour

The King Midas Milling Co., has temporarily converted its 1200-bbl. wheat mill into a rye mill and is now making rye flour in both of its Shakopee units.

The changing over process took about three days and necessitated recorrugating thirteen pairs of mill rolls at a big expense.

At the present time the mills are working on several large export orders, one of which is going direct to Hamburg, Germany.

For the past three weeks, the mills have been operating at full capacity every day in the week, including Sundays, and present indications are that they will continue this pace for some time to come.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 16, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Church Getting Major Repairs

A major repair job involving the replacement of foundations, joists and stringers in a large portion of St. Mark’s church is now under way.

Settling of the floor along the communion rail led to the discovery that much of the supporting structure was deteriorating and that immediate repairs were necessary.

While the S. M. Hennen construction crew is restoring the impaired portions of the structure services have been conducted int eh basement of the school.

The Rev. Henry Scherer, pastor said Wednesday that Sunday masses would be held in the church as usual.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 19, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

First phase of park plan okayed; City Council sets pay schedules

The city council took the first formal steps in implementing Shakopee’s five year park program at its meeting Tuesday night.

Park director George Muenchow offered a proposal to the council for beginning work on Memorial Park. The first phase of the park development plan will cost some $50,000, half of which will come from a grant of the Lower Minnesota River Water Shed District, and the other half from the city…

Included under top priority items were two new parking lots, connecting roads and hiking paths as well as posts and barriers to protect the park from automobile traffic as much as possible. The plans also included a new picnic shelter, well, play apparatus and a foot bridge across the creek.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 17, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Plan to purchase land for another school advances

Addressing the need for an additional secondary school in the future, Shakopee School Board members agreed Monday to move forward with the purchase of property located south of Highway 169 in Jackson Township.

The 85-acre parcel, owned by Norbert Theis, is situated between county roads 77 and 79. Because of its central location and access to athletic fields, the site is considered ideal for a junior or senior high school. It is also described as a “flexible” lot – its size and irregular shape could also accommodate an elementary building, Superintendent Bob Ostlund said…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 15, 1898 Scott County Argus

As will be seen from the published report of the proceedings of the common council, the city has won in the suit of the Steamer “Daisy” against the city for damages to the boat caused by a collision with the bridge on the night of the 14^th of June, 1896. The suit was most preposterous to begin with, and the outcome, which puts the costs of the suit upon the owners of the “Daisy,” is the only one that could have been expected.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 13, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The Scott County Welfare Board met last Thursday at the court house. Mrs. H. W. Messerer of Jordan was appointed to succeed Mrs. Wm. Berger who resigned.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 9, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Open Body Shop on Atwood Street

Opening of a car body repair shop in the brick building north of the Gipson lumber company on Atwood street is announced this week by Clarence Kunz and Lawrence Von Bank, co-proprietors in the business.

To be known as the Kunz Body Shop the firm will also deal in used cars, the men said. Both are experienced mechanics.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 12, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Police, firemen quell incident at reformatory

Shakopee police and firemen were called to the Correctional Institute for Women in Shakopee over the weekend to help settle a disturbance in one of the security cottages.

Five women originally began the incident with a sit-down strike over television privileges about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to administrator Jackie Fleming. She said that three of the inmates were returned to their rooms, but the remaining two lit fires in a bathroom.

Ms. Fleming said one fire was started in a wastebasket and a second ignited curtains and scorched a wall. Police and firemen quickly had the fires out and the smoke cleared, she added.

The two remaining inmates were placed in a maximum security area where they remained early this week.

Ms. Fleming said the incident arose in protest to late television privileges which were to start this weekend. The inmates involved had wanted the new policy to be effective last weekend.

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 10, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Spooky World, Murphy’s part

Halloween theme park moves to Canterbury in 1999

For Spooky World and Historic Murphy’s Landing, the haunted honeymoon is over.

After four years on the grounds of the recreated 18^th century village, Shakopee’s outdoor harvest them park is pulling up stakes and heading to its new home at Canterbury Park…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 8, 1898 Scott County Argus

Mrs. Baker, of the Union schools, is an industrious and talented little lady. Not content with winning her way into the hearts of all her pupils and the esteem of parents and fellow teachers by doing some of the best grade work seen in the Shakopee schools, she employs a part of her spare time in writing. This week she received a check for $50.00 from the Youth’s Companion, of Boston, for a little story entitled “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.”

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 6, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Improvements in P. O. Building

W. E. Redman and Charles Bierbaum, owners of the building in which the local postoffice is located, recently made extensive improvements in the building.

In making these improvements they had a new door put in the North side of the building about eight feet West of the old door which has now been closed. The partition in the building separating the working space of the rural carriers from the post office proper, has been removed and the rear of the building generally repaired and closed to prevent all outside exposure. This change will give the rural carriers and all other postal employees about twenty square feet additional working space.

The entrance to the basement was also changed and the washroom remodeled.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 2, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Cafe Building Sold, VFW Club Has First Floor

In a real estate transfer expected to be completed soon, Earl Ploumen will become the owner of the former Shakopee Cafe building on East Second street.

Ploumen said Tuesday that an earnest money contract had been executed last week between himself and Otto C. Siems, owner of the cafe building, and that the entire first floor of the structure had been leased to the Shakopee VFW post.

The second floor apartment, formerly occupied by the Leonard Siebenaler family, is now tenanted by the Ed Ploumen family who moved there from the house now owned by the Soconny Vacuum company at First and Atwood streets. The Siebenalers have taken an apartment over the Blue Inn cafe…

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 5, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Correctional institute asks for new building

A request for a new activities building on the grounds of the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women in Shakopee was formally presented to State legislators visiting here last week.

The proposed half million dollar building was part of a list of new construction and major repairs requested for the institution by administrator Ms. D. Jacqueline Fleming…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 3, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Plan to shift fourth-graders sparks debate

Some would attend new school

A proposal to move selected fourth-graders to the new elementary school next fall sparked a debate among Shakopee School Board members Monday.

After more than an hour of intense dialogue, the board voted 4-3 to accept the administrative recommendation, which will bring certain fourth-grade students from Sweeney and Pearson elementary schools to a facility previously set aside for fifth- and sixth-graders. In planning for the elementary school construction project, district officials and a planning committee included space for the addition of grades, if necessary…

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

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 1, 1898 Scott County Argus

Florian Vierling has engaged in the manufacture and sale of German sausages, and he was about town Tuesday for the first time with his covered rig prominently lettered with an advertisement of his wares, dispensing his goods and making glad the hearts, or stomachs, of those who have a hankering after such delicacies. He will make the rounds of Shakopee, Chaska and Jordan regularly hereafter.

100 Years Ago: From the Nov. 29, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Local Stove Co. Has New Owners

An important business deal of great interest to local people was closed Thursday of last week when H. C. Schroeder and Ed. V. Mertz purchased the controlling interest in the Shakopee Stove Company, from the former owner, William Spoerner.

Mr. Schroeder who was formerly vice-president of the company, now becomes president and Mr. Mertz becomes secretary-treasurer and general manager.

Mr. Spoerner will remain for an indefinite time as foreman of the moulding department.

The change of ownership will bring about improvements as the new owners are men possessing special business ability and it is logical to assume that the Shakopee Stove Company, under their management will become one of the leading manufacturing industries in this city.

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

60 High School Students to Get Aptitude Tests

Sixty Shakopee high school students will receive vocational aptitude tests in a validating experiment to be given at the school Tuesday, Nov. 30, it was disclosed.

The tests, to be given by the Minnesota Employment Service in cooperation with the University of Minnesota, will be similar to those now employed in determining the aptitudes of adults.

Shakopee is one of several schools selected for the experiment through which it is hoped to learn if the test can be satisfactorily applied generally in aiding high school students to fit themselves in the proper vocations…

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

New shopping center plans set; first phase ready by next year

The new shopping center at the west edge of Shakopee was termed “a reality in fact, no longer a proposal,” by A.C. Holmen of Watson Centers Incorporated before a Shakopee City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Watson Centers is a division of Watson Construction Company of Minneapolis, a major general contracting firm, announced plans for development and construction of the Minnesota Valley Mall Shopping Center to be located along Highway 169 near Highway 300 at the west edge of Shakopee.

The first phase of the planned development will be a 150,000 square foot community shopping center featuring an enclosed sidewalk or mall joining the stores, shops and offices. Plans call for construction to begin in the spring of 1974 with completion of the first phase in the fall of that same year…

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

Tsumura sells Shakopee plant

The parent company of Tsumura International, which earlier this year announced plans to divest itself of its U.S. and Canadian personal-care operations, announced Friday it will sell most of its operations and assets, including its Shakopee plant, to Belue Brands Inc. of Phoenix…

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