Shakopee Snapshots

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

G. S. Lander is planning to put a fine cement pavement, similar in construction to the one now surrounding the Argus block, in front of the opera house block. The work will begin in the early spring. At that time he will also have laid along the front of his residence property a walk of cement stone, similar to the one now being laid in the residence district by Ring & Fischer.

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

Shakopee to Have New Business Enterprise

A new business enterprise is being established in this city and will go into effect Monday, October 1, when Scherkenbach’s Hardware and Electric Supply will open its doors for business to succeed the Scherkenbach Electric Shop.

The new enterprise will be located in the same stand in the Post Office building as was the Electric Shop, and will be conducted by George M. Scherkenbach as formerly. However, the store has undergone complete renovation and has been greatly enlarged. The work of installing new shelving and show cases is progressing rapidly and is nearing completion.

The new store will carry in addition to the splendid line of electrical appliances always on hand, a large and complete stock of hardware, also a fine line of radio sets and accessories. The new stock arrived here this week and is being arranged at the store, where all will be ready for the opening next Monday, October Market Day…

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

State Baseball Tourney Crowd Record Shattered

All previous State Amateur Baseball tournament attendance records were shattered when 34,263 paid admissions passed through the gates during the nine-day event staged in Shakopee Sept. 13-19. The total topped by 5,927 the mark set at Mankato last season, association officers disclosed.

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

New sign officially designates Lions Park

Lions Park came one step closer to completion when a four by twelve foot mahogany sign was erected at the entrance to the park with the following inscription: LIONS PARK – WE SERVE. The sign was placed on the site following a council resolution passed August 28, designating an area east and south of the swimming pool as Lions Park.

The Shakopee Lions Club started developing the park area two years ago when an agreement was reached with the city that the area could be developed into a park and named Lions Park if the club members were willing to take over the project. At that time the Lions hired a contractor to landscape the area, and planted approximately 200 trees and shrubs.

When the park is completed, it will provide picnic area for Shakopee residents and visitors. The park is designed to provide semi-secluded picnic areas for individual picnickers as small hills have been landscaped in along a shelter and restrooms.

A large sliding hill is also part of the park area which will provide an off-the-street area for the youngsters to enjoy this recreation in the winter months.

Money for development of the park has come from the proceeds of several Lions Club projects…

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

Of the 88 papers written by Shakopee High school pupils last spring, in the State examinations, all but 13 passed. Nine of the 13 were written by pupils of the 7^th grade, and the other four were from the class in English composition. The examination in this branch, Prof. McBee informs us, was so difficult that failures were the rule all over the state. In any event the result of the work done in the school as evidenced by the returns from the state examining board is highly creditable to both teachers and pupils.

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

Telephone Office to Open Sunday

The new Tri-State Toll Office will open for business next Sunday, September 23, at 7 A. M. at their office on the second floor of the M. J. Berens store building.

The work of arranging the rooms and installing boards and other fixtures has been under way for several months and at present the office is completely equipped and will be ready for operation Sunday morning. The toll work for the southern part of the state will be taken care of at this office instead of being handled in the offices of the twin cities.

Miss Rutherford of St. Paul is in charge of the office and is engaged this week in giving instructions to eight local ladies who will be employed there. However these ladies will not have charge of the boards until thoroughly competent. Eight experienced operators will arrive from the twin cities and will begin work Sunday morning.

About thirty or forty men will be at work Saturday in cutting and connecting wires to have everything in readiness for the opening of the new office.

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

Shakopee Park Setting for NCA Pictographs

National Coaches association, nationwide organization of college and high school athletic coaches, began work here Saturday morning on a series of baseball photographs.

Dica Siebert, University of Minnesota baseball coach and Shakopee first baseman, is directing the work for the coaches association. In addition to the Shakopee picture, Siebert said that more pictures for the series will be made at the University. From the photographs slides will be made, sets of which will be available to all coaches of colleges and high schools in the United States for use in demonstrating the fundamentals of the national game.

Local players in Shakopee uniforms backgrounded against the Riverside playing field were photographed here, and Siebert said the set of slides to be made would be known as Shakopee, U.S.A., representative of baseball-minded towns the nation over.

Siebert was delegated by the national body to compile the series, an appointment which indicates the respect with which the popular first basemen is regarded in the athletic world.

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

Courthouse construction should start in February

A representative of Fasch, Erickson, Madson, Inc., architects of a new courthouse recently approved by county voters, appeared at Tuesday’s County Board of Commissioners and indicated that construction of the building is scheduled to begin in early February and conclude in early April, 1975.

Donald M. Erickson told the County Board that his firm is now ready to begin work on the interior designs for the new building. All plans for the structure should be drawn up by the end of December, he said, with bids for construction to be taken during the month of January.

Erickson told the County Board that the 14-month projected completion date is a rough estimate, and that it is possible that the building could be completed in 12 months or less.

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

Ring & Fischer, of the Shakopee stone works, announce that they have secured contracts for cement sidewalks along the north side of Second street, for two solid blocks, from the post office to the Fred Scherkenbach residence. Dr. H. P. Fischer will have 3 ½ lots paved, E. L. Welch has ordered 50 feet, Mrs. Pauline Heidenreich and Mrs. Peter Mergens will also have the cement blocks, and Fred Scherkenbach has ordered 120 lineal feet, in addition to a walk inside the grounds. They have also contracted for a walk 65 feet in length for Nic Heger, which is to be laid with cement curbing. Then too, they have taken the contract for forty yards of walk and cement steps at the Theodore Weiland residence. The work of laying the cement along Second street will be begun at once and pushed to rapid completion. The improvement will be very marked, and it is to be hoped that it will prove such a fine advertisement for the cement paving that board walks will be relegated to the receding past where they belong.

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

Work was begun last week on a new five room, story and a half residence for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dellwo and family. It will be a frame structure, lumber is being furnished by the Simons Lumber Co. Mr. Dellwo is doing the work and expects to complete it this fall.

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

898 Pupils In City’s 3 Schools

Breaking all previous first day enrollment figures, 898 pupils were registered in Shakopee’s three schools as the institutions opened Tuesday, school authorities disclosed.

The total was 55 above the 833 registered on the first day of school last year, which up to that time was the highest of record, it was learned…

Late registrations, additions of new families to the community and transfers to from other schools may push the total for the three schools close to the 1,000 mark before the term is many weeks old, authorities said.

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

Courthouse proposal passes 2-1

A proposal to construct a new Scott County courthouse was approved by Scott County voters by greater than a 2-1 margin Tuesday in a light turnout at the polls.

Vote totals on the bond issue were 2,124 for, 968 against.

Voters in each of Shakopee’s four wards overwhelmingly approved the bond issue, while in other areas, such as Savage, Sand Creek, New Market Village, Elko and Blakely, the proposal won out by narrow margins…

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

The firm of Reis Bros. Livery has dissolved partnership, Val Reis having bought out his brother Henry. The business will be continued as before, at the same stable.

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

The Henry Hentges home on 4^th street is being raised onto a new foundation and undergoing other changes. The house will be stuccoed and new porches will be added. When complete, it will be a very attractive residence.

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

Argus-Tribune Office Now on First Floor

For the convenience of its patrons the Argus-Tribune has moved its offices to the first floor in the building formerly occupied by the Huth barbershop on Lewis street.

The move eliminates the necessity of climbing the steps to the offices that for many years were on the second floor of the building.

Space made available by the move will be utilized in improving the printing and publishing plant.

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

Tight money stalls shopping center plans in Shakopee

Indications are that a $3 million shopping center, for which ground was previously scheduled to be broken around Aug. 1, may not be in this area’s foreseeable future.

Ray Williams, president of Jacksondale, Inc., developers of the proposed center, said last week that project promoters have not been able to find “acceptable financing” for the project, and that construction has therefore been …

Williams said he is unable to predict when construction of the center, which was planned for a 124-acre tract of land immediately southwest of Shakopee on U.S. 169, could begin. He said it would be “as soon as interest rates drop.”

Planners envisioned the center as the location of both regional and locally owned retail stores, a movie theater, motel, restaurant and lounge and bowling alley. The proposed site for the center was moved to its present location when local residents’ objections cause the Shakopee Planning Commission to reject an initial plan to build the center south of Tenth Street in Shakopee.

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

H. P. Marx has decided to close out his stock of Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, Silverware, and the China at auction. The stock is of the highest quality and every article has his personal guarantee. See his ad. on first page.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 30, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Business Transfer to Take Place Saturday

John Czaia, who recently purchased the shoe repair shop from Fred Wessel, will take possession Saturday and continue business at the same stand.

Mr. Wessel conducted this business for seven years and has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Wessel and family will leave Saturday for New Ulm where they will reside in the future…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 26, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Flees Institution for Eight Hours

An inmate whose identity was not disclosed wandered away from the state reformatory for women here about 5 a.m. Saturday but was back in the institution at 8 p.m., J. P. Wermerskirchen, sheriff, said.

The girl, it was explained, had been working in the fields near the reformatory when she made the break for freedom. She finally made her way to Holmes street bridge and was near the north end of it “thumbing” a ride when she was picked up…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 29, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Industrial revenue bond proposal for Certainteed examined by city

A proposal to use industrial development revenue bonds for the Certainteed plant in Shakopee was brought before the city council Tuesday night.

Certainteed asked the council to consider giving its name to the revenue bond issue for a million dollars so the company could purchase additional equipment and water and fuel storage tanks at the plant site…

The matter will be taken up again at a future council meeting.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 25, 1898 Scott County Argus

The offices of the Jacob Ries Bottling works have been transferred to the new building, and the office force is revelling in plenty of room and light, and an equipment of furniture and fixtures the like of which will not be met with in a day’s travel in the west. There yet remains many finishing touches to be put on, and it will probably be a month before they are really settled in the new quarters and ready for the final criticisms of the public.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 23, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

New Millinery Store to Be in Southworth Block

Mrs. A. M. Green and her daughter, Mrs. J. C. Brown, arrived here Monday from Elk River and will open a millinery store in the Southworth building as soon as the necessary changes will be completed.

The ladies have purchased the stock and fixtures from Miss J. M. Ford and have also purchased a fine line of up-to-date millinery which will be displayed at their opening. They plan to open for business today.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 19, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Start Work on New Building

Preliminary work on the construction of a 30×50 ft. addition to the William F. Marschall & Son farm implement and service station here got under way Monday morning.

The addition with a modern glass front will extend east from the present structure to the sidewalk line on Lewis street and when completed the combined building will have an overall dimension of 60×160 ft.

A new parts department, office and showroom will be the main … of the new unit, while the old structure will be devoted entirely to a shop and service department.

S. M. Hennen has the construction contract.

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 22, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee Medical Center is nearing completion, but a building materials problem has forced a changing of the opening day of business from August 11, as originally scheduled, to Monday, Aug. 22. The six Shakopee physicians who will call the new center home will conduct their last day of business in their temporary quarters adjacent to St. Francis Hospital on Friday, Aug. 24. A formal grand opening will be scheduled in September. The 11,000 square foot facility is located on 10^th St. and Co. Rd. 17, and has been designed to keep pace with the growing medical needs of the community. The functional yet aesthetic design has space for up to ten physicians with the additional staff hopefully being added over the next few years. Creators of the building have been members of the American Medical Building Guild of Wisconsin. When completed next week the new facility will house complete diagnostic, x-ray and laboratory equipment and will be able to offer emergency treatment, minor surgery and some two dozen patient examination rooms.

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 20, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Dem-Con expansion approval is likely

The proposed expansion of the Dem-Con Landfill in Louisville Township is one step away from reality.

Earlier this summer, landfill owner Joe Pahl received a permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to expand the 70-acre facility to 121 acres. All that’s left to be done before Scott County grants final approval for the horizontal and vertical expansion is to take care of some minor water drainage questions, said County Environmental Health Manager Al Frechette…

If the County Board approves the expansion in September, Pahl said he plans to begin the excavation work this fall. The excavation work, to expand the landfill, will likely take about two years, he said.

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 18, 1898 Scott County Argus

Improvement is the order of the age. A force of men under contractor M. C. Madsen, of Hutchinson, is at work laying a cement pavement around the Argus block, from the alley on Lewis street to H. J. Thiede’s blacksmith shop on First street. Cement curbing has been put in by the city, and when the ten foot walk is completed, there will be over 2,100 square feet of cement walk surrounding the buildings, and enhancing their good looks. The neatly moulded curbing will add much to the appearance of the walk and it is cheaper than the stone curbing laid along the south side of First street.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 16, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

The interior of the Scherkenbach Electric Shop is undergoing a complete renovation. Work was begun this week and will be completed as rapidly as possible. A new floor is being laid and the entire interior will be re-decorated. When completed the store will present a very neat appearance and will be a suitable place to display the numerous up-to-date electrical appliances found in the Scherkenbach Electric Shop.

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 12, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

3,200 Fans See Ball Park Dedicated as Locals Win 11-6

More than 3,200 fans packed the stands and overflowed along the foul lines for the Chaska-Shakopee game that was the feature of the Riverside baseball park dedication here last Wednesday night.

Long before game time the eager crowd was fitting into the arena to be more of a spot from which to observe the historic event. A staff of firemen assigned to police duty, directed the parking and everything moved smoothly…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 15, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

Major Park Development Considered for Shakopee

A major park development program in Shakopee received a warm reception at the city council meeting Monday night.

The council had asked George Muenchow, park and recreation director, for some plans on future development of Memorial Park and the Adams Street Park. His preliminary plans were presented Monday night.

The proposed improvements in Memorial Park included new road, parking and trail facilities as well as a new headquarters building and general beautification. Muenchow’s rough estimate of the project cost was $151,700…

In his presentation Munechow also outlined $100,000 in plans for the Adams Street Park which included development of ball parks, tennis courts, trails, parking facilities and landscaping…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 13, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

County learns of possible plan for an amphitheater in area

Scott County officials have yet to receive a formal proposal on the matter, but preliminary discussions are expected to be held this week on a proposed amphitheater in the northwestern portion of the county.

One of the sites that may be considered is owned by Bruce Malkerson and is located near the Renaissance Festival grounds west of Highway 169 in Louisville Township. On Tuesday, Scott County Administrator David Unmacht said he was scheduled to discuss the concept of an amphitheater with Malkerson and or his representative Wednesday afternoon… Unmacht said he planned to ask Malkerson if he intended to formally begin the process during that meeting…

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1898 Scott County Argus

John Goenen is building a new house on one of his lots on the “river bottoms.” The structure will be 12 ½x16 ½ feet in dimensions, a story and a half high.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 9, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Two Business Changes Here

P. A. Rademacher Buys Neubeiser Shop. Fred Wessel Sells His Business.

A local business deal, which has been pending for several days, was culminated last Tuesday when Peter A. Rademacher purchased the tinning and plumbing business owned and operated by Max L. Neubeiser. Mr. Rademacher will move his stock and equipment form his old location in the Philipp building to the Mergens building where Mr. Neubeiser has been located. He will conduct a heating, plumbing and tinning business in his new location. He will begin moving his equipment immediately…

75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 5, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

To Propose High School District Plan

Reorganization of Scott county’s 67 school districts into four large districts along high school area lines will be the basic recommendation in a tentative report being prepared by the county school survey committee, it was learned.

Meeting in regular monthly session at the court house Tuesday night the committee reviewed the findings of the survey it had just completed and drafted the outline of the report to be completed by Sept. 1…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 8, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

IDS Properties Moves Closer to Sale in Valley Industrial Park

IDS Properties neared the final step in gaining clear title to their land in Valley Industrial Park Tuesday before the City Council.

The investment corporation has virtually completed its legal hassles which began after IDS acquired the land several years ago…

IDS recently succeeded in getting a court order demanding the council approve a registered land survey and preliminary plat for the site which would give IDS the clear title it needs to go ahead with the sale.

The city had originally refused to take much action because of a dispute with Midland Glass, a company located in Valley Industrial Park. Although that dispute has not been finally settled, the court issued its order favoring the proposal of IDS…

25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 6, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

If you build it…

The City of Shakopee was awarded a $50,000 grant to help purchase 10 acres on Tahpah’s west side.

The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department was awarded a $50,000 grant to help purchase 10 acres of land adjacent to Tahpah Park’s west end. The land is currently in the form of cornfields.

The money will reimburse the City of Shakopee after the purchase of the 10-acre plot is approved. The land was appraised at $215,000, or $21,000 an acre, according to Mark McQuillan, Director of Shakopee Parks and Recreation. Upon approval of the environmental assessment by the Department of Natural Resources, the City of Shakopee will complete negotiations with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The land will be obtained for $119,604, according to McQuillan. Actual cost to the city is $69,604 for the land after application of the grant money. Once the DNR has approved and the city council has accepted the deal, transferring of the deed can begin. The process could be completed by September, according to McQuillan…

The land will be used for additional parking for up to 50 cars, according to McQuillan. It is likely that the remaining acres be used to construct a pair of soccer fields that are needed in the community…

125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 4, 1898 Scott County Argus

Fred Vierling and Nic Heger went out of business at the old Nieters place, in “upper town” last Monday, with the expiration of their license. They are planning to reengage in the saloon business at some point on First street, in the near future, but nothing definite has been decided upon to date.

100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 2, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

New Drinking Fountains for Down Town District

New public drinking fountains are being installed in the down town district of this city. One fountain is being placed on the corner at the John Berens store and another at Davy’s corner.

A lavatory and drinking fountain will also be installed at Riverside Park in the near future. The improvements have become a necessity and will be welcomed by local people.

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

Park Dedication Set

Dedication of Shakopee’s improved baseball park, site of the 1948 state amateur baseball tournament, has been set for Wednesday night, Aug. 4, with the Shakopee Indians and the Chaska Cubs providing the diamond attraction.

W. H. (Rip) Schroeder, Scott county deputy sheriff and coach of the Shakopee club, will be the master of ceremonies. Schroeder, who formerly played with the Columbus Red Birds and St. Louis Cards, now occasionally plays the outfield in addition to his coaching duties on the Shakopee club.

The dedication ceremony is to get under way promptly at 8:00 o’clock preceding the ballgame which has been scheduled for 8:30. Feature of the ceremony will be a 15-minute program of music and intricate drills by the Chaska drum and bugle corps composed of members of veterans of World war II…

50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 1, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

High Winds and Hail

Over 200 acres of corn on the Thomas Williams farm south of Shakopee was destroyed by high winds and hail over the weekend which also wrecked the vegetable garden and broke windows on the William home. Damage around Scott County may top the million dollar mark when all estimates are tallied. Some of the county’s farmers had insurance to cover some of their losses, but many did not have adequate protection. The storms which caused the damage blew across areas of three counties. In Scott County the heaviest damage was reported through a stirp of land about three miles wide and 18 to 20 miles long in the southwest part of the county. Some fields of corn, soybeans and oats were wiped out completely.

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

Cleanup of shooting range to cost $24,305

Cities, county may contribute

For years, the Shakopee Police Department, area law-enforcement agencies and sportsmen have used the gun range just south of the intersection of county roads 16 and 83.

But at the July 21 Shakopee City Council meeting, the city paid the bill for 20-plus years of no-cost target practice. The council unanimously accepted a quote of $24,305 from Glenn Rehbein Cos. to remove and dispose of approximately 420 tons of soil from the embankment behind the targets.

As required by the state, the city needs to remove the lead bullets from the soil because the soil is deemed to be contaminated by the lead. The land is owned by Valley Green Business Park, which wants to sell the small parcel for development. At Valley Green’s request, the city planned to deal with the issue a year ago. But the cleanup would not be economically completed before the end of the year and Valley Green agreed to defer the project until 1998, said City Administrator Mark McNeill…

125 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1898 Scott County Argus

If this weather is not “hot enough for you,” take a trip down to the City Brick yard, where Mr. Schroeder’s crew is just now basking in the additional warmth thrown off by a burning kiln at 800,000 brick. This is the second big kiln of the season at the City Brick yard.

100 Years Ago: From the July 26, 1923 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee State Bank Installs Electric Alarm

The Shakopee State Bank added a new safety device to their bank last week, by the installation of an up-to-date electric alarm system.

The alarm, which was installed by the Cannon Ball Alarm Co. of Minneapolis, is attached to the protective devices throughout the system in such a way that the slightest interference at any point, will sound the warning. The alarm system is so thorough that the removal of even a single screw from the casing of the outside metal box will sound the alarm.

75 Years Ago: From the July 22, 1948 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Police Radio System Ready

A police radio system that will eventually link county and municipal law enforcement officers in Scott and Carver counties is to be inaugurated here this week, Pat Thielen, Shakopee police chief, disclosed.

Two-way radios have already been installed in the Shakopee police car and the Scott county sheriff’s car. Transmitting equipment is to be housed in the courthouse here…

50 Years Ago: From the July 25, 1973 Shakopee Valley News

New Veterinary Clinic in Operation

Dr. Richard Klimmek has taken the step from a converted garage to a new veterinary clinic just south of Shakopee. The new clinic marks the achievement of a goal Klimmek set six years ago when he graduated from the University of Minnesota…

The new clinic was designed primarily for small animal veterinary services including exams, vaccinations and surgery, and also has boarding and grooming facilities…

Joining Klimmek on the first of July was another recent U of M graduate, Dr. Tom Rainey. Dr. Rainey had been a member of the scholastic veterinary fraternity.

Both men have mobile veterinary units mounted on trucks which allows them to make emergency house calls, and makes it easier to deal with large animals who could not be brought to the clinic…

The clinic is located one and one half miles south of Shakopee on Co. Rd. 15 (Marystown Road)…

25 Years Ago: From the July 23, 1998 Shakopee Valley News

Prison escapee found at Minneapolis concert

A 17-year-old convicted murderer who walked away from the state correctional facility for women in Shakopee Friday morning was found about midnight the same day exactly where authorities thought she would be – at the Smashing Pumpkins concert in downtown Minneapolis…