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The WPA Mural in Shakopee

Places

by David R. Schleper

The Federal Art Project (FAP; 1935-1943) was a New Deal program to fund the visual arts in the United States. It was created not as a cultural activity but as a relief measure to employ artists and artisans to create murals, easel paintings, sculptures, graphic art, posters, photography, theatre scenic design, and arts and crafts. One of the WPA murals was painted in Shakopee 80 years ago.

The Federal Art Project was the visual arts arm of the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration. Funded under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, it operated from Aug. 29, 1935 until June 30, 1943. It was created as a relief measure to employ artists and artisans, and 10,000 artist and craft workers sustained them during the Great Depression.

The project created more than 200,000 separate works, some of them remaining among the most significant pieces of public art in the country.

The Federal Art Project’s primary goals were to employ out-of-work artists and to provide art for non-federal municipal buildings and public spaces. Artists were paid $23.60 a week; tax-supported institutions such as schools, hospitals and public buildings paid only for materials. As many as 10,000 artists were commissioned to produce work for the WPA Federal Art Project.

In 1938, John Metcalf, Superintendent of the Shakopee Public School, asked the Federal Art Project of the WPA to do a mural. The mural was to be at the school library, and to show the history of Shakopee from 1842 until 1940. Muralist Harmon Arndt, a graduate of the Minneapolis School of Art, was employed to do the work.

Harmon met with several of the town’s leading citizens, the school board, high school students, and John Metcalf. After many meetings to discuss both the type of art work and the subjects and people to be portrayed in the mural, the work began. Three other artists assisted Arndt, who supervised the work. The classes of 1938, 1939, and 1940 donated funds to pay for the mural project.

The following is a brief description of the mural:

The first panel depicts Reverend Samuel W. Pond teaching a group of Dakota Indians the Christian word for God and the arts of white culture and civilization. He and his brother, Gideon, came to Minnesota as missionaries from Connecticut in 1834, and in the fall of 1847, Samuel, his wife, Cordelia Eggleston Pond, and their first three children came to the village of Tiŋta-otoŋwe, or Prairie Village. Samuel called it Prairieville, which later was called Shakopee. Although not in the picture, the Ponds took care of Jane Lamont Titus, who was half Dakota, and only spoke Dakota when moving in with them at age 13. The Dakota had been living in this area since the 1690s, first on the north side of Watpá Mnísota, which was later called the Rivière Saint-Pierre (St. Peter’s River), and finally the Minnesota River. Around 1839, the Dakota moved to the south side of the river, and the 600 Dakota Indians lived in tipi tanka, or bark lodges, during the summer months.

Also in the first panel, the first steamboat to churn the muddy waters of the Rivière Saint-Pierre (St. Peter’s River) in 1842 bears a party of pleasure-seekers to see the village of Tiŋta-otoŋwe and see Chief Ŝakpe II.

The second panel represents the laying out of the town site (even though a village of 600 Dakota Indians were already there for more than 150 years!) In the background is the tamarack log cabin/trading post of Oliver Faribault, who was ¼ Dakota Indian. One important missing piece is that Oliver’s wife, Wakan Yanke, was also there (though not in the picture). She was Dakota, and was born in the Minnesota Valley among her Dakota relatives, including Ŝakpe II. Another missing person was Joseph Godfrey, who was enslaved. Joseph helped build the cabin, and around 1847 he escaped, walking 40 miles along the St. Peter’s River to freedom.

Two other early settlers are also represented in the panel: Thomas A. Holmes holds a scroll which is a plan of the future town; and David L. Fuller looks through his surveyor’s transit. One person not in the picture was William Louis Bill Quinn, who met with Holmes at Fort Snelling in fall of 1851. Thomas discussed looking for a possible place for town sites. Holmes engaged Quinn as a guide and companion on an investigating tour. Bill, who was part Cree, knew several languages, including Dakota, English, French, and Ojibwe. He also knew places for possible towns along transportation routes provided by the Minnesota River and along with the numerous oxcart trails that crisscrossed the region. After they gathered supplies for one week of travel, Tom and Bill headed up the Minnesota River, and stopped just beyond Tiŋta-otoŋwe, Ŝakpe village. Tiŋta-otoŋwe was located between Sommerville Street to Shenandoah Drive, for about three miles south. Holmes liked the place, and determined that the area was perfect for establishing a trading post. Many Dakota Indians were about. Thomas called the place Holmes’s Landing, and it was here that he built a trading post with help from John MacKenzie and Benjamin Emerson Shumway.

The third panel shows the coming of the pioneers in their covered wagons. In the background are the tipi of the Dakota, the original settlers of this territory (though since it was a summer planting village, they lived in tipi tanka, or bark lodges, though a few tipi were around, also). The Dakota were forced off the land by land spectators and traders who made treaties, in which they often took advantage of the Dakota. The white population in 1852 consisted of about 20 families; the Indians numbered about 600. There were many Métis people here, and people spoke Dakota, French, and English.

The fourth panel pictures the buildings of early Shakopee. The grey building to the left is the Methodist Episcopal Church, erected in 1867. In the background the red building is the City Hall and Fire Department, erected in 1883. The brown building is the Union School located between Holmes and Lewis Streets on the south side of Fifth Avenue, which opened on Jan. 4, 1882. In 1908 the name Union was changed to Independent School District No. 1, and in 1957 District No. 1 was changed to District No. 720 and remains that today. Farther along the panel is a 1908 dock scene of the wharf on the Minnesota River. The boats would dock at the shore or the levee and throw out a gang plank. A swing bridge was built and the bridge swung around on its center pier. The picture shows white people, though there were other races in Shakopee, including Dakota and other Indians, African Americans and, just before the turn of the last century, Asian American also lived and worked here.

The fifth panel shows a Shakopee soldier leaving for the Civil War. Ho-Chunk Indian Charlie Menaige and other Dakota and Métis people also were involved in the Civil War, though they are not included in the mural. This panel also shows the first railroad train puffing into Shakopee on Nov. 11, 1865. Shortly after, a combination engine and passenger car named “The Shakopee” made regular trips between Shakopee and Mendota.

The firemen in this panel are shown fighting Shakopee’s first great fire which occurred in 1872, destroying the frame railroad shops of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad along with all the equipment and five locomotives. More than $100,000 of buildings and equipment was destroyed.

H. H. Strunk and Sons Drug Store and John Berens’s Grocery Store are represented in the sixth panel. White-bearded H. H. Strunk is standing at the left of the panel. Also in this same panel, seated in one of the earlier cars of the period, are Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Reiter. Dr. H. O. Smith, standing beside the car, is accepting one of the first telephones from Dr. H. W. Reiter. Dr. H. P. Fischer, wearing a brown tie, is standing on the other side of the car. John Berens is shown in the white apron. His son, Arthur, is carrying groceries. One interesting note is that the majority of German shop owners spoke German, in church and at the stores for almost 85 years, until 1940. Although this mural focuses mostly on men, women also lived and worked in Shakopee, including Dr. Lizette Schmitz Entrup, who delivered more babies than anyone in the area.

The seventh panel represent the 1909 Street Fair at which James J. Hill delivered an address to one of the largest gatherings Shakopee had ever entertained. The personalities in the panel of the Street Fair follow from left to right: Theodore Jaspers (the man with a hand in his pocket, a blacksmith by trade); Mrs. William F. Duffy (woman in the blue dress, active in women’s organizations such as the Book Lovers’ Club and League of Women Voters); Mrs. Leo Siebenaler (woman in brown dress) representing motherhood holds the hand of her daughter, Martha, mother of 16 children; Henry Hinds (man in gold suit, brown tie, with full beard, attorney and former owner of the Argus-Tribune, worked hard to get a school built and realized his dream when the Union School opened in 1882); Horace B. Strait (profile, man with full brown beard and navy blue suit, bank president and mayor at one time); David L. How (man with glasses and white beard, organized the Bank of Shakopee in 1865); Theodore Weiland (man with a full beard and blue suit, former bank president and chairman of the school board); Major McGrade (tall man in blue uniform, father of Mrs. Duffy); H. C. Schroeder (man with mustache and gold suit, former mayor of Shakopee and owner of Schroeder Brick Yard), even though Dakota Indians and Métis people, such as Minnie Josephine Otherday Weldon and Jane Lamont Titus, African Americans, such as servant Alice Briggs and farm worker Dan Eddings, and Asian Americans such as laundry worker Liu Kwong Kee are not included in the mural, even though they also lived in Shakopee at this time; Jacob Ries (man with the newspaper in his hand, founder of Rock Spring Bottling Works); Rev. Mathias Savs (clean-shaven pastor of St. Mark’s Catholic Church); Julius A. Coller II (little boy with ice cream cone, and later a prominent attorney in Shakopee); Julius A. Coller I (clean-shaven man talking to Mr. Hill, a former city attorney and bank president, played an important role in getting the Women’s Reformatory located in Shakopee); Elizabeth Ries (woman in green dress, was mayor and postmistress of Shakopee at one time – daughter of Jacob Ries); Colonel G. L. Nye (white bearded man in gold suit, also worked to get the Women’s Reformatory located in Shakopee and headed the foundry); James J. Hill (standing on the steps, full white beard, railroad builder and financier); H. J. Peck (man in gold suit and white beard, attorney); John P. Ring (sitting on the porch, brown suit, mustache, operated a cafe, was former mayor of Shakopee); and Eli Southworth shaking hands, sitting on the porch (the other man is just a figure), an attorney. In the background is the Davy Building. The mural does not show people with disabilities, though many people, such as Hopstina Makaakaniwankewin Black Flute Lucy Otherday, who was almost blind but used a walking stick to move around town, gathering food from the tinta, or prairie, including watercress at Faribault Springs; Francis Hirscher, who carved in butternut the altars at St. Mark’s Church, or Ida Gjerdrum Buck, who walked downtown with her seeing-eye dog, and who got a reading machine and was involved in the Book Club.

The eighth panel represents “modern” Shakopee in 1938-1939. In the background are the water tower, Rock Spring Bottling Works, St. Mark’s Church, the foundry, and Rahr Malting Plant. The new baseball stadium, Riverside Park, is also shown. The children to the left of the panel are students of the Shakopee Public Schools: Mary Ellen Metcalf wears an orange sweater; Charles Bowdish has red hair and wears a green shirt; Edward Pond wears a blue shirt and is the great-grandson of Gideon Pond; Joan Garvey holds a rose; and Dennis Dahlgren holds a softball. Other people left off of the mural include Samuel Ferdman, his wife, Anna, and their two children, Lucille and Max, probably the first Jewish families in Shakopee in 1933.

Standing by the tree in uniform is Arthur Lemmer, who was killed in World War I. The three men standing by the car are from left to right: Edward J. Sweeney, Superintendent of the Shakopee Public School from 1923-1936; Donald Childs, Scott County engineer and former school board member; and Ed Huber, cashier of the First National Bank and former school board member.

The girls in band uniforms are Dorothy Schroeder, carrying a clarinet and Carol Schumacher. Marion Heinen is the girl in the blue sweater on the bicycle. She is talking to Warren Stemmer, who is wearing a baseball uniform (Stemmer Field is named after him). Behind them is Rev. H. W. Schroeder, Dorothy’s father and pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Standing next to him is John Metcalf, superintendent of schools (father of Mary Ellen), who is carrying a briefcase. The graduates are Ruth Huber, daughter of Ed Huber, and Joseph Schaefer. Behind them is Father McRaith, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Joseph Strunk, a druggist, is wearing a brown suit and has his head turned to the side. He is a grandson of H. H. Strunk. Paul Ries is wearing a white suit. He is a grandson of Jacob Ries. John Cavanaugh, mayor of Shakopee at the time, has his back to us. John Kline is taking a picture of the graduates.

Gertrude Siebenaler Roepke whose mother is Mrs. Leo Siebenaler, mother of 16 children, represents motherhood in the 1909 Street Fair mural. Marion Heinen Caron was one of the models.

The eight-panel mural is a great part of Shakopee’s history, and is located at the Central Family Center, in the area that used to be the library, and later was the band room. Although overlooking many women and people of color in the mural, the work was stunning. The building, located at 505 South Holmes Street, was originally the Union School, a kindergarten to high school school, an elementary school, a district office, and now the Central Family Center.

The Shakopee mural project was completed at a time when Americans were dealing with a difficult economy, not unlike today. In the midst of the Great Depression, the U.S. government created the Public Works of Art Project — the first federal government program to support the arts nationally, according to “Let’s Go: Markers in Time” by Richard Crawford at chanvillager.com on June 2, 2012.

“It’s something quite unique and depicts Shakopee at the time, and I think it’s very important,” said Pat Ploumen, a member of the Shakopee Heritage Society. Even though the mural panels are located in a public space, not all residents are aware of it.

Shakopee Heritage Society is a volunteer organization that focuses on promoting the history of Shakopee. For more information, or to join, please contact shakopeeheritage.org. The Shakopee Heritage Society also works with the Scott County Historical Society, which focuses on all of the cities in Scott County, including Shakopee.

“Most people don’t even know about it, I would guess,” Ploumen said. “It wasn’t until I retired and became active in the heritage society that I would learn about it.”

While dozens of WPA art projects were completed at public buildings throughout the state, the Shakopee murals are apparently the only WPA-era art project in Scott County.

Kathleen Klehr, executive director of the Scott County Historical Society, called the murals “a marker in time.”

“Any community would want to preserve something that’s going to tell the history of their community,” Klehr said. “And it’s particularly important to preserve it because it’s so rare.”

(Much of this information is from Gertrude Siebenaler Roepke. Much of the information is from The Shakopee Story by Julius Coller II, with further references from David R. Schleper and the Shakopee Heritage Society at shakopeeheritage.org. An article called “Let’s Go: Markers in Time” by Richard Crawford at chanvillager.com on June 2, 2012 was also used.)

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Remember When: February 2018

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1893: Shakopee Courier

Feb. 2, 1893

BRONZE TURKEYS for sale, live ones, three females, one male. Geo. Allen, 4th street, Shakopee.

Kohler & Schwartz dry goods store got afire Saturday behind the counter, but was soon put out by the clerks before it spread, luckily. No particular damage.

The piano for Weiland opera hall arrived and was put in place yesterday–and Pete Philipp whose reputation is at stake points with pride to it, while we downstairs, can prove its good tone.

A sleighing party of ladies and gents connected with the insurance society known as the Workmen, drove to Bloomington 14 miles last Saturday night, returning about midnight. It proved a night long to be remembered, as any one may fancy riding 28 miles after dark with thermometer ranging all the way from 6 to 16 below zero, with snow drifts. Dr. Smith who made two trips over the same route that “beautiful moonlight night” says it was with one exception the worst drifted time he has experienced this winter, and as we all know Dr. Smith knows, because Dr. Smith goes.

Feb. 9, 1893

Trains were behind Monday morning on account of snow drifts afar off.

A big chimney fire threatening the destruction of the ill fated Spearman residence, occurred about 9 o’clock last night; but through the efforts of O.S. Brown, Mayor Weiland and others, the fire was put out.

Feb. 16, 1893

D. H. Brown intends closing his photograph gallery here April 15th.

Mrs. Pope has got a carpet loom and hereafter people will not have to leave town to get their carpets woven.

The packing house of Shakopee has paid 9 cents for dressed hogs this week. How’s that for hog raising, as a paying industry.

Feb. 23, 1893

Two sleigh loads of school boys and girls took a sleigh ride to Jordan and back yesterday afternoon.

Miss Georgie Crist has finished a course in stenography and typewriting and has secured a desirable situation with a firm in St. Paul.

Fighting on the streets is not so popular as it used to be “away back.” One attempt at it was stopped by order of Mayor Weiland, on Monday, and the parties arrested.

The trees in the grove opposite Holmes street across the river, are so rapidly disappearing that the name of “grove” thereaway will soon be a relic of the past. Oh! “Woodman spare,” &c.

4 coopers lately came from Jordan to work in the shops here, which makes 15 working here now.

Peter Mueller the shoemaker has about closed up his business here, and will soon depart for South Dakota.

1893: Scott County Argus

Feb. 2, 1893

John Gordon is to receive from Minneapolis this week three young trotters which he will forthwith proceed to instruct in the way they should go to win the stakes.

There is some prospect of an extemporized chess club getting together to play a game by telephone with a certain Minneapolis club which has expressed a desire to play such a game. The event would prove an interesting one and should it occur there is no doubt but that our amateurs could give the city chaps quite a hard rub in the melee.

An interesting sight, and of late years a rare one, was the appearance of a yoke of well trained oxen on our streets Monday. The slow steady patient gait brought back to many minds thoughts of the toils and pleasures of the “early” days in Minnesota’s wilderness or during the grand old days down East. The ox, flail, cradle (grain), spinning wheel, and many other objects so familiar to the eye a few short years ago are now fading into the past with a rapidity that is startling to the thinking mind.

H. F. Gross is preparing to ship his wonderful seed picture of Bartholdi Statue to the World’s Fair. It is worthy of a place in Minnesota’s exhibit.

A match and postage stamp, or other scrap of paper, became ignited under Kohler & Schwartz’s grocery counter, Saturday evening, and caused the fire department to be called out. Damages four mills.

John Merten the cigar manufacturer occupying part of the Thiem building for some time past, is making a week’s visit to St. Cloud. It is rumored that when he returns he will be accompanied by a blushing bride.

Feb. 9, 1893

Mr. Peter Miller will sell out in Shakopee next Wednesday at public auction. He is going to Hartford, South Dakota, to locate.

The Star Kegel Club, or about twenty-six members of that erstwhile famous organization, bowled last Thursday evening for a prize in the shape of a gold watch. Out of a possible 300 pins Peter Plummen poked down 206 thus winning the spoils.

On Monday evening the guests of the Occidental Hotel passed unscathed through a genuine fire alarm. A man went to bed and, it seems, proceeded to woo the drowsy god of sleep by the aid of his faithful meerschaum. Soon he was securely locked in the arms of Morpheus. But not so his pipe. It became restless and began to look about for some amusement. Spying the attractive colors of a new quilt is resolved to pay it a visit. It did so, and when the man awoke shortly after he took action immediately. He rushed down stairs and out in a temperature of 20° below and half way up to Dierberger’s barn in terror and his robe de nuit, carrying the blazing quilts with him. The whole house was aroused but on discovering the cause and effect of the affair concluded that they were more scared than hurt. The principal actor in the scene was around town Tuesday inquiring into the price of bedding.

Feb. 16, 1893

J. A. Dean extracted twelve teeth with pain last Tuesday afternoon, said teeth coming from the jaws of as many horses. Gas was not administered in a single case. Mr. Dean is acquiring quite a reputation as a skillful veterinary dentist.

John Gordan has removed to Eagle Creek to take charge of the Evans stock farm.

Messrs. H. C. Newcomb and A. J. Grafenstatt have formed a partnership to deal in farm machinery of all kinds. They cordially ask an examination of their goods and prices before buying elsewhere.

The engine room of the mill has been completely renovated during the last week, and now looks as bright as a new dollar. A neat hard pine oiled floor has been laid and the walls treated to a coat of paint and whitewash, making a highly appreciated improvement in that department.

Feb. 23, 1893

The mill received a new ten-horse power Westinghouse engine yesterday which will be used in running the elevator adjoining.

John Gutenberg has added much, both in appearance and convenience, to his meat market on Holmes street, by the construction of a new and commodious refrigerator. The partition in the rear of the shop has been removed and a hard pine floor laid, and altogether his place of business shows the proper spirit of progressiveness.

Jos. Hirscher has now in process of construction a sideboard which, for beauty of design and elaborateness and skill in workmanship, could not be well excelled. It is six feet in length, stands about seven feet in height, and the whole is covered with most beautiful and unique carvings executed in the solid oak. In fact, it fully bears out the more than local reputation which that progressive firm has earned in this line of work in the past, and anyone who enjoys looking at a beautiful piece of work would be well repaid for a visit to their shop within the next few days.

1918: Shakopee Tribune

Feb. 1, 1918

NOTICE. I will saw lumber at the John Weckman place. Anyone who wishes to bring logs to be sawed, bring them soon. J. C. Weckman.

The fire department was called to Bieren home, near the Minnesota stove foundry last Friday, to extinguish a small blaze on the roof. The fire was caused by a spark from the chimney. Little damage resulted.

Owing to the Government ruling, not allowing any shows on Tuesdays, “The Dream” will be staged at the opera house on Monday evening, February 11, instead of February 12, as was first stated. The play is a three act comedy, given by the young ladies of St. Rose society and is full of laughs and merriment. Seats on sale at Strunk’s drugstore. No extra charge for reserved seats. Show begins at 8:15. You will want to be there.

The ladies of the Home Economics Club are taking instructions in “First Aid.” The meetings are held in the courthouse every Wednesday evening at eight o’clock. Dr. H. W. Reiter is the instructor.

 

Repair Week

February 4 to 8 is to be Repair Week in the Manual Department of the High School. If you have a broken piece of furniture, a picture frame to be mended, knives to be sharpened, or repair work of almost any description, send it up to the High School next week.

No charges will be made for any of the work, but where glue, stain, varnish, etc., is required, there will be a charge of a few cents to cover the cost of the material used.

D. B. Tibbets
Manual Training Instructor.

Feb. 8, 1918

Man Hurt In Runaway Accident. Last Tuesday evening while George Unze, Jr. was returning home from the Shakopee stockfair, his team became unmanageable and ran away. On turning the corner near the Kohler residence, Mr. Unze was thrown and it was thought he was seriously injured. He was taken to the office of the Interior Lumber Company, where a physician was summoned. He was conscious and after a half hour regained consciousness and was able to return home. It was found he suffered severe bruises about the head and face, but nothing serious will result.

Joseph Koeper, the ever accommodating milkman, is the owner of a brand new milk wagon, painted and lettered in bright yellow.

Feb. 15, 1918

A large crowd attended the Red Cross dance here last Friday evening. The U.S. Naval band of Minneapolis furnished the music. Miss Rose Kohler held the lucky number and won the enameled range donated by the Minnesota Stove Company. The girls cleared $205 which was turned over to the Red Cross.

Good Roads Meeting Held Here Tuesday

The early construction of the Minneapolis and Albert Lea trail was assured as the result of actions taken at the annual meeting of the Minneapolis and Albert Lea Association held at Shakopee on Tuesday.

The new trail will connect the cities of Minneapolis, Shakopee, Jordan, New Prague, Montgomery Kilkenny, Waterville, Waseca, Albert Lea and intervening towns…

In road records of the state, which must be kept under provision of the highway bill passed by the last session of the legislature, the Minneapolis-Albert Lea trail will be known as Road No. 1. The association was instrumental in bringing about enactment of this measure…

Feb. 22, 1918

Hofferman Brothers, veteran threshermen of Marystown, went to Minneapolis on Tuesday, where they purchased a new 40 inch cylinder Rumely grain separator. They expect shipment of the machine by May 15th so as to have it on hand in ample time to do their part in relieving the wheat shortage by saving every kernel possible.

1918: Scott County Argus

Feb. 1, 1918

A meeting of the executive committee of the next Liberty Loan was held at the city hall Monday to plan an organization of the next loan. Twelve committeemen were present.

As the result of taking a tablespoonful of salt petre in mistake for medicine Thursday of last week, Ray Potter has been seriously sick during the week at University hospital. Tuesday it was feared he might not recover and his parents, who were visiting at Bisbee, N. D., were sent for and arrived yesterday. Ray’s condition took a change for the better yesterday and at this writing, there is every hope that he is now on the road to recovery.

Feb. 8, 1918

Marystown Creamery. The Marystown Co-operative Creamery Company was organized last week and will begin buying cream March first. The creamery opens auspiciously and will handle a milk route supplied by 600 cows. E. C. Russell has been elected butter maker and manager…

George Dellwo Takes Over the Creamery. George A. Dellwo has taken over the local creamery and is engaged at present in buying and shipping cream alone, paying $2.40 a hundred for milk. As soon as he can get the factory in shape Mr. Dellwo will begin early in the spring to manufacture cheese and butter. Mr. Dellwo made a success of the creamery during the time he conducted the business previously and enjoys the confidence of his former patrons who will be glad to know that he has taken over the creamery permanently and they will be afforded a market close at hand for their products.

George Unze’s team indulged in a runaway Tuesday evening, throwing Mr. Unze out and bruising him considerably. Fortunately his injuries were not serious and he was able to drive to his home southwest of town later.

An item that was omitted last week because of lack of space concerned the re-organization of the Cadet band under the able leadership of J. H. Stans. The band starts practice with more than twenty members and others will be welcomed. Any one wishing to join may do so by presenting himself at the practice room in the city hall Monday or Thursday evenings. The Cadet band has always comprised good musicians and it is to be hoped that the organization will be bigger and better than ever.

Feb. 15, 1918

Heatless Mondays Past. John Thiem, chairman of the county fuel administration, received word yesterday from the federal fuel administrator that the heatless Monday order has been abrogated in Minnesota, and local business places will be open as usual next Monday.

Shakopee Entertains M1A Road Boosters. The largest and most enthusiastic good roads meeting ever held in Shakopee was staged here on Tuesday. More than one hundred representative business men including farmers, lawyers, editors, doctors, bankers and highway engineers from the metropolis of Minnesota to the Iowa line were in attendance at the meeting in the interest of the Minneapolis-Albert Lea trail. There were also present the county boards of the counties of Hennepin, Scott, LeSueur, Waseca and Freeborn, each one of which pledged its hearty support and co-operation to the end that this trail shall be made one of the leading highways in southern Minnesota. The plan of making this road from Minneapolis to Albert Lea, where it will meet the Wilson highway and incidentally resulting in the permanent construction of a highwater road over and across the low lands of the Minnesota river at this point, was evolved in the mind of Jos. J. Moriarty…

Feb. 22, 1918

About thirty-five relatives and friends surprised Emil Spielmann at his home Saturday evening, the event being a farewell before his departure tomorrow for Camp Dodge. Cards and music passed the evening pleasantly and supper was served at midnight. Among the guests were Frank Gelhaye, Albert Kirkeby, Matt Kreuser and Harry Walsh, all of whom are leaving also for Camp Dodge. Out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Anton Herrgott of Plentywood, Mont., Mrs. Anton Klein of Saskatchewan, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schneider, Mrs. Henry Schneider and sons Harry and Roman of Marystown, and Henry Hergott of Eagle Creek. The boys’ many friends wish them all good luck and safe return.

The period for muzzling dogs has expired and the animals are not now required to wear their muzzles any longer.

1943: Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Feb. 4, 1943

Troop Listing All Scouts Now Serving in Military Forces. Justly proud of its former members now doing valiant service in the nation’s armed forces, the Shakopee Boy Scout troop is endeavoring to compile a complete and accurate list of all former scouts now in the military…

School Children To Get Movie Tickets for Needed Metals

Cooperating in a nationwide drive to collect discarded copper, brass and bronze, pupils of Shakopee’s three schools are now engaged in a search for these metals so vital to the nation’s war effort.

Under a program designed and sponsored by the motion picture industry the scrap metal is to be collected in community theatres where specified quantities of the metals will serve as “cash” to purchase an admission to the movie.

In Shakopee, the drive is being conducted in cooperation with the Shakopee theatre, where a special motion picture, “Cadets on Parade,” is to be shown on the afternoon of February 11.

To qualify for a ticket to the picture, a pupil must present a pound of the metals wanted, it was said.

Feb. 11, 1943

Shakopee Optometrist Heads State Association. Dr. H. B. Kollofski, Shakopee optometrist, was elected president of the Minnesota State Optometric association at the annual meeting in the Curtis hotel, Minneapolis, Monday. Dr. Kollofski also maintains offices in St. Paul…

Free Movie Today for Pupils Collecting Scrap. This afternoon Shakopee school pupils who have been successful in their efforts to collect scrap copper, brass and bronze, for the nation’s war industries, will be guests at a movie, “Cadets on Parade,” at the Shakopee theatre…

Dr. C. T. Nickolay Closes His Office for Duration. Dr. C. T. Nickolay has closed his dental office for the duration of the war. He took his departure last Saturday. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he left for Baltimore, Md., where he has entered for service in the U. S. Marine Hospital. The best wishes of his friends went with him.

Model Plane Exhibit City’s Best Display of Wood Handicraft

One of the finest exhibits of wood handicraft ever assembled in Shakopee is the array of model airplanes on display in the Burshek hardware store this week.

The miniature craft, produced by Shakopee grads and high school pupils under the guidance and instruction of W. H. Sanford, industrial arts teacher in the public school, are perfect reproductions of military planes. The tools were chiefly jackknives, sandpaper and steel wool.

Among the more than 80 models are replicas of axis, as well as allied planes. They cover the entire scope of air combat and vividly depict nearly all types from the small one-motored ship to the monstrous four-motored flying fortress.

After a few days of exhibition here the entire collection of planes is to be shipped to an aviation training center for use in the training of Uncle Sam’s airmen.

Cast-off Silk Hosiery To Be Collected Here

An opportunity will be given to the ladies of Shakopee and vicinity to donate their cast-off silk hose to the war effort.

Receptacles will be placed in the different stores, where anyone may deposit their hosiery.

When the required amount has been reached they will be sent to the Defense Supplies corporation, Green Island, N. Y., to be utilized in making parachutes.

Ladies are therefore asked to kindly bring their hosiery to be used for this purpose.

Feb. 18, 1943

Places in National Contest. From St. Louis, Mo., this week came the announcement that Shirley Kelly, Shakopee, was a third place winner in a national essay contest sponsored by The Queen’s Work a magazine published by a Catholic Sodality. Miss Kelly’s essay was entitled “Reason For Bragging.” She is a graduate of St. Mary’s parochial school here.

Shakopee To Have Important Meat Demonstration Wednesday, Feb. 24. Of timely importance to every housewife in this community will be the meat demonstration to be conducted in Shakopee next Wednesday afternoon, February 24, starting at 1:30 o’clock. The demonstration will be held in the court room at the court house…

Feb. 25, 1943

Farewell Party Given for N.Y.A. Supervisor. A farewell party for Mr. S. O’Loughlin, of Minneapolis, general superintendent of the N.Y.A. camp, was given Saturday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Laddusaw, by the office personnel, instructors and their wives. Mr. O’Loughlin will leave Feb. 26 for Fort Snelling to be inducted into army service…

Pupils Raise 1155 Pounds of Scrap Bronze, Brass and Copper. A total of1155 pounds of scrap brass, bronze and copper was collected by the pupils of Shakopee’s three schools in the recent scrap drive, it was announced this week…

Each pupil was assigned a quota of one pound to qualify for admission to a free movie shown at the Shakopee theatre last Friday afternoon. The local scrap drive was part of a nationwide project by the motion picture industry.

Called To Service As Navy Nurse. Miss Ruth Huber, R. N., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Huber, of Shakopee, will leave March 9 to report for duty in the Navy Nurse Corps at Norman, Okla. She is to begin active duty immediately in the Naval hospital at Norman…

Women to Help Shoppers With Point Rationing

To aid in the understanding and application of the point system of food rationing to be inaugurated in food markets March 1, the Scott county Nutrition-Victory Aide committee has arranged to have two women in each grocery store from 2 to 5 p.m. each day of the week of March 1, it was announced this week.

The aides, it was pointed out, will be in the stores to assist shoppers who may need help in the use of the point system. Shoppers, committee members said, are urged to feel free to ask the aides for advice.

1968: Shakopee Valley News

Feb. 1, 1968

3 Held After Fluorescent Light Theft. Three men are charged with burglary, including a 20-year-old Shakopee resident, and are now out on $500 bail following the investigation of a theft of $540 worth of fluorescent light fixtures at the former Ford Garage building, 338 East First…

Elsie Stemmer and Ronald Klehr, both of Shakopee and employees of the Shakopee Red Owl store, in Shakopee Shops Shopping center on east First, have been selected Miss Courtesy and Mr. Courtesy by their fellow employees…

Work is underway on East First, just to the rear of the Clark Service station and to the east of Ray’s Kwik Shop, 409 East First, on the Riverview Office and Apartment building, being erected by Building Contractor John Ostertag of Rosemount for Ron, Inc., whose members are Contractor Ostertag, Attorney Don Nold of New Prague, and Elmer Rechtzigel, 938 South Lewis, Shakopee, State Farm Insurance agent. The structure, with off-street parking both at the front and rear, is to accommodate six office units on the ground floor and four one-bedroom apartments on the second floor. A basement will also be included. The new office building is to be faced off with attractive brick, and is to be carpeted throughout and include air-conditioning. Rechtzigel plans to move his State Farm Insurance office from 938 South Lewis to this new location on East First.

Feb. 8, 1968

K. Of C. Valentine Party Speaker Feb. 13. Columnist and feature writer for the Minneapolis Star, Jim Klobuchar, will be featured speaker at the Annual Valentine party for the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce on next Tuesday, February 13, to begin at 8 p.m. at the Riviera Club in Chanhassen…

Miss Isla Hottinger To Play Clarinet on KTCA-TV Tonight. Miss Isla A. Hottinger, daughter of Shakopee Municipal Judge Isla Lindmeyer, will appear with the St. Thomas College Woodwind Quartet on the KTCA-TV Educational Television College Hour Thursday (tonight), February 8, at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 2…

Feb. 15, 1968

On Good Neighbor Show Saturday. Joe Theis, president of the Shakopee Jaycees and recent winner of the Jaycees’ Annual Distinguished Service award, will be featured as the “Good Neighbor” on the Dick Chapman Good Morning Neighbor Show on WCCO Radio at 7:55 a.m. this Saturday, February 17…

VFW Auxiliary Presents American Flag To City In Observance Of Lincoln’s Birthday Monday. In observance of Lincoln’s Birthday on Monday of this week, February 12, the Auxiliary to Shakopee Post No. 4046, Veterans of Foreign Wars, presented an American Flag to Ray Siebenaler, the Mayor of Shakopee…

Council Requested To Consider Project Of New Library For City. Proposal of consideration of a new library facility for the City of Shakopee was presented by Mayor Ray Siebenaler at the regular meeting of the Common Council held Tuesday evening of this week, February 13…

Shakopee Firm Break-In Nets $70

The Shakopee Police Department was summoned at 9:30 a.m. on Monday of this week, February 12, to the Jug Liquor Store, 901 East First, where a robbery had taken place sometime during the previous night with $70 in cash reported missing.

Owner Bruce Santelman of 706 ½ Holmes discovered the break-in during which $70 in cash was taken from the till…

Feb. 22, 1968

New Remodeling. Now undergoing remodeling is the front and side entrance, off Holmes Street, to the LaTour Shoe Store on the southeast corner of First Avenue and Holmes in Shakopee, the former M. J. Berens & Sons department store.

Cadet Tom Huber On TV Tonight With Channing

There’ll be a “hot time in home towns” all over the country on Monsanto Night this evening (Thursday), February 29, when “Carol Channing and 101 Men” airs over ABC-TV (9 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST).

For that night, the favorite blonde doll will have as her guests the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale, whose members come from almost every state in the union. Included is Thomas P. Huber, 845 Holmes Street, Shakopee, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Huber…

Feb. 29, 1968

Shakopee Church To Host World Day Of Prayer Service Tomorrow. The 82nd annual observance of World Day of Prayer for Scott county will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), March 1, at the First Presbyterian Church in Shakopee, the host Church…

Jaycees To Conduct Area Attitude Survey. The Shakopee Jaycees are undertaking a sizeable task of determining the feeling of area residents about various activities in the community through the Attitude Survey to be distributes to 600 residents beginning next Thursday, March 7…

SHS Junior Veteran On BCT Stage

Jeff Spielman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Spielman, 511 East Eighth, Shakopee, is a veteran as a cast member of Bloomington Civic Theatre productions at the age of 16. He is a junior at Shakopee Public High School.

Spielman is to be performing in his fifth Bloomington Civic Theatre show when the curtain opens on “Anything Goes” tomorrow (Friday) evening, March 1, at the Annex Theater, 10025 Penn Avenue South, in Bloomington. The production is to continue on March 2 and on March 8 and 9 and March 15 and 16…

1993: Shakopee Valley News

Feb. 4, 1993

New commissioners vote to re-examine Co. Rd. 18 plans. According to the wishes of three new commissioners, the Scott County Board Tuesday decided to renew discussion on a proposal to reconstruct County Road 18 from County Road 42 to the Highway 101/Shakopee Bypass interchange…

School bond issue approved

The information got out and people responded to the need — that’s how School Superintendent Bob Ostlund and School Board Chair Janet Wendt explained the overwhelming support for the Shakopee School District’s $10.59 million bond issue, approved in a referendum Tuesday by a vote of 1,314 to 330…

The school district asked voters for permission to issue bonds to pay for expansions at Pearson and Sweeney elementary schools, which will about double in capacity to accommodate enrollments of 750 students at each building. Additions and remodeling at Pearson account for $3.8 million of the bond issue, and at Sweeney, $4.345 million.

Other components include land acquisition and development for future expansion at the high school and the revamping of outdoor athletic facilities at the school, which are expected to cost $1.534 million, and an additional science lab, costing $160,000, at the high school. Land acquisition would include 32 acres adjacent to the 21 acres at the present site.

Other elements of the bond issue include technology improvements throughout the district, at a cost of $795,000, and accessibility improvements for the physically handicapped, at a cost of $150,000…

Shakopee congregation soon to have new church to call home

Tom Reiner, pastor of Cross of Peace Lutheran Church, says members of its congregation look upon themselves as “agents of change” because God has changed them and called them into service for their community.

That change can be taken literally as well as figuratively, in the form of a new church building,

The congregation at Cross of Peace which belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), first met on Feb. 10, 1991 in the auditorium of Shakopee High School, where worship services have been held since.

Now the congregation is making plans for its own building, and is set to break ground this spring on a 7.2-acre site on the southeast side of town. The building will be completed sometime in late fall or winter…

Feb. 11, 1993

New City Hall was open for business Monday

The Shakopee City Council on Feb. 2 conducted its last meeting at the City Hall it has occupied for 32 years.

On Saturday, workers moved city offices from the building at 129 First Ave. E. to the former Marquette Bank building, about a block away at 129 Holmes St. S., which became the new city government home on Monday at 8 a.m…

Bridge funds in Carlson budget

Gov. Arne Carlson’s budget recommendation for 1994-95 included full funding for completion of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge project.

Carlson outlined his $16 billion budget recommendation Jan. 26, and included was about $20.3 million for the state’s matching share to finance construction of the new bridge. The state will be required to finance that portion of the bridge costs in order to receive federal funds for the project…

Feb. 18, 1993

Fund-raising campaign for St. Francis begins. The 1993 St. Francis Regional Medical Center Corporate and Community Giving Campaign is being held during the month of February. Chairs for this year’s campaign are Jim McNearney from the St. Francis Board of Directors and Dan Workman, foundation chair…

GM’s departure only solid news about Canterbury this week

Despite a spate of rumors claiming that negotiations are being held for the sale of Canterbury Downs, Ladbroke Racing Corp., co-owner of the Shakopee racetrack, declined comment this week.

The only concrete news was the announcement that Canterbury General Manager Terry McWilliams and his employer had parted company. “It was a mutual decision,” said Rick Reichow, Ladbroke’s chief financial officer. “Terry wanted to get on with his life and his career in the business.”…

Feb. 25, 1993

HealthSpan named partner for hospital. St. Francis Regional Medical Center’s parent corporation announced Tuesday that it will pursue a partnership with HealthSpan, Minnesota’s largest health-care corporation, in the ownership and operation of the Shakopee hospital…

Racing commission to explore revocation of Ladbroke license. The Minnesota Racing Commission on Feb. 17 unanimously voted to study whether it can revoke the Class A racing license held by Ladbroke Racing Corp. and its partners, Herb Tyner and Bernard Hartman…

Agreement reached on Stans museum

Shakopee native Maurice Stans and Scott County have agreed in principle to a proposal in which he would build a $1 million structure that would house a museum containing memorabilia and artifacts from his life and provide a home for the county historical society with a full-time director…

The Stans Foundation will build the museum on a piece of property between Second and Third avenues on Fuller Street in Shakopee…

The Stans Foundation has agreed to build the facility and provide a $200,000 annuity, the interest from which would go toward operating expenses each year. It will also provide 50 percent of the pre-opening operating expenses.

In exchange, Scott County will provide the facility with operating money by creating a tax levy of not less than $30,000 and not more than $70,000 a year. The board believes the average levy may amount to $50,000 a year, which county officials said amounts to $1 annually for each county resident.

The levy revenue, yearly interest from the annuity, and revenue from the museum’s gift shop and admissions fee is expected to cover the estimated $70,000 yearly operating costs, including the salary of a full-time director, county officials said.

The Scott County Historical Society will control the facility and its operations, with a board of directors that will include five members from the historical society, a county representative and a member of the Stans family…

Juba’s to expand, become County Market

Juba’s Super Valu store in Shakopee will be converted to a County Market grocery store and expand by 15,000 square feet.

Owner Dick Juba said the conversion will not affect store management nor his employees, and that additional workers will be hired…

The conversion will allow the store to feature wider aisles, additional services, more competitive prices and a greater selection of merchandise, said Juba…

The store, located next to Shakopee Town Square mall, will continue to operate as Juba’s Super Valu until the new store’s grand opening this summer. The expansion will be in the mall in the space formerly occupied by Dueber’s department store, which closed some time ago…

The store will feature wide aisles, said Juba, and he vowed not to sacrifice that amenity for more shelf space.

Juba said his goal is to make discount grocery shopping available so local residents can avoid driving 15 or 20 miles for competitive prices at the huge stores in Burnsville…

Council favors two lanes on segment of County Road 18

The Shakopee City Council last week directed staff to tell Scott County that it favors keeping County Road 18 two lanes between County Road 16 and County Road 42.

On Feb. 16, the council, on a 4-1 vote, also asked that the county improve traffic safety conditions on the road by installing turning and passing lanes…

Remember When: January 2018

Remember When

1893: Shakopee Courier

Jan. 5, 1893

Hubert Marx had his dog poisoned Tuesday evening.

Jacob Bierlein got the point of his fore finger cut off while working in the foundry on Tuesday.

The bank has received 50 Columbian coins, World’s Fair souvenirs. The price is $1. If you want one call early.

Our streets were well filled with teams yesterday. Plenty of wood coming in on, and will as long as sleighing lasts.

There came very near being a bad accident at the residence of T. C. Smith Tuesday evening. The family were all out except Mrs. Moore, who is not very well, when the oil heater began to show signs of exploding. Mrs. Moore could do nothing with it so called in C. W. Newell who picked up the stove and threw it out doors. After the affair was over the room was completely filled with soot and smoke. For safety and comfort give us the old wood heater every time.

Jan. 12, 1893

There is to be a broom making establishment on First street west of Holmes by young Mr. Grommesch, who has been to Faribault schools a number of years.

H. F. Gross having finished his fine art picture of sand and seed representing the accident to Herman Knauff that happened in St. Paul Feb. 29, 1884, thinks of taking it to Silberman’s picture store corner Wabasha and Third Sts. St. Paul to be exhibited.

Many loads of brick from Alderman Schroeder’s yard have been transported to Marystown on sleighs for a school house to be built there.

Jan. 19, 1893

The usual morning services at the M. E. church will not be held during the cold weather or until further notice. Evening service at the usual hour 7:30.

J. G. Bass took the prize for the best comb honey exhibited at the meeting of the State Horticultural Society held in Minneapolis last week. Mr. Bass always did raise fine honey.

The finest lot of SEWING MACHINES ever shown in the city. American and Royal. Call and see them and you will buy no other. For sale at my house opposite Methodist church Shakopee, by J. McInnerney.

Jan. 26, 1893

Mayor Weiland has purchased from P. V. Philipp a handsome Concert Grand Piano, which will greatly add to his already well furnished opera house.

James Heth riding around town last Saturday in Andrew Kopp’s sleigh surprised the people who hardly expected to see Jim out in winter weather. But he has to be handled carefully and well wrapped up. He can’t “go it alone” as much as he used to.

1893: Scott County Argus

Jan. 5, 1893

Jas. Depew has resigned his position as foreman of the mounting department of the Stove Works.

Farm for sale. My farm of seventy acres east of town known as the Mrs. Haas farm. Thomas Pinches.

John McMullen has purchased the north part of the lot adjoining Wilder’s lumber yard on the west side and next spring he will erect a warehouse thereon.

Mr. J. G. Kiesel has returned to Shakopee to take charge of the B. A. Kohler’s drug store while Mr. Kohler takes a long need rest from business cares. Mr. Kohler contemplates a trip through the south-west in the near future. Geo. Kiesel has gone to Spring Valley to take charge of his brother’s store there.

Jan. 12, 1893

One of R. J. Chewning’s well bred colts died last week.

John Gentgen has re-papered and painted his newly enlarged barber shop.

Dressed hogs ONLY $8.00 per hundred! Has McKinley levied a tariff on pork to cause the great American hog to act thusly?

For Rent—A 150 acre farm three miles from town. For terms, apply to Aug. F. L. Bornarth. Office in Condon Block.

The city might set a good example to our citizens by cleaning the snow off the sidewalk at the City Hall corner.

Jan. 19, 1893

For Rent. Mrs. Jane Duffy’s house in east Shakopee. Enquire of John Nachtsheim.

J. McInnerney is agent for the American and Royal sewing machines. The Royal may be run backward or forward and will sew perfectly either way. Sixteen different styles to select from.

Messrs. V. D. Simar and O. C. Le Sueur have rented the front office over Kohler’s drug store, where they are busily engaged transcribing notes of surveys they made for the government along the northern boundary line of the state.

Jan. 26, 1893

Union School Corner. The boys of the High Room organized a chess club last Saturday, their first meeting being held on that evening at the home of our principal, where they passed a very pleasant evening. They expect to meet over the checquered field once a week hereafter.

Dr. J. B. Dunn, who for the past six months has been acting as Assistant Surgeon of Chicago Medical college, was in town Tuesday. He expects to return to Shakopee about Feb. 15th, and will go into his former office and resume his practice here.

Mayor Weiland with the usual enterprise purchased of P. V. Philipp, the well known music dealer, a handsome concert grand piano, which will be placed in his Opera House. This will give the troupes coming here a better opportunity to display their talent and will greatly add to the enjoyment of the patrons.

An examination of the combined galvanic and cautery battery, which Dr. A. A. Sabin has just put into his office, illustrates the wonderful advance made in medical science within the past few years and the extent to which electricity is used by the most advanced physicians and surgeons of the present day, in the healing of diseases and performing delicate surgical operation. This, with the companion machine, which the doctor has ordered and will soon receive, will supply to our citizens the best facilities for the treatment of diseases by electricity, to be obtained anywhere in the state, outside of the Twin Cities.

Frank Buch will start a lumber yard adjoining the H. & D. siding west of the United States hotel.

Messrs. Bierline are rejoicing at the success they are meeting with in the sale of the Nameless brick machine and brick yard supplies. They have lately received orders for six machines and supplies which amount to over $5,000.00. The orders were from Chaska, Mankato, Blakely, Shakopee, Watertown, Wis., and Jefferson, Wis. The order here was from Alderman H. F. Schroeder, who is equipping his yard to be operated by steam.

1918: Shakopee Tribune

Jan. 4, 1918

Death Results From Fall. The community was shocked beyond expression, when it was learned last Wednesday evening, that Mr. Frank Buch had passed beyond, as the result of a fall. Mr. Buch and John B. Hoffmann were engaged in cutting down trees, surrounding the County poorhouse property. They were at work on the southwest corner, near the Joseph Stockert home. Mr. Buch had scaled a 15-foot ladder and was at work, when in some manner he fell from the ladder, striking his chest and crushing his heart. No one witnessed the accident and when he was found he was unconscious and remained so until his death, six hours later, at 8:15 P.M. Mr. Hoffmann, who was working about a half block from the scene found him, and with the aid of others carried him into the Stockert home. A physician was summoned, but he was beyond help. He was moved to his home later, where he succumbed…

The Red Cross girls turned over $60 to the local Red Cross chapter, the proceeds of the dance of last Friday evening.

Arthur Dally, an employee of the Shakopee Stove company, suffered a severe fracture of the right ankle while at work, trucking stoves on the company’s platform on Wednesday morning. Dr. Buck reduced the fracture and the patient is doing nicely.

The local mill is now grinding what is known as Government Standard Flour, a good straight flour. The mill has ceased to grind all fancy patents, by order of the government.

Jan. 11, 1918

Miss Anna Gillen has accepted the position as relief operator for the Shakopee Telephone Co.

James Wise, telegraph operator at Bird Island the past several weeks, arrived here on Wednesday and now has charge of the Milwaukee station here, as night operator.

Miss Mary Engel, telephone operator for the Shakopee Telephone company for several years past, resigned her position and will leave for Parker’s Prairie about the middle of the month to assist in the Leibold hospital, with a view of taking a course in professional nursing.

New Trestle Road At Last Assured

A committee of our citizens including Mayor Lenertz, City Attorney Southworth, Atty. J. J. Moriarty and County Surveyor Donald Childs went to Minneapolis Monday morning to be present at a meeting of the Hennepin County Commissioners and to see what could be done in regard to repairing the Trestle Road.

The committee returned on Monday evening and stated that Hennepin County had agreed to appropriate $27,000 to be added to the $11,500 appropriated by the City of Shakopee and that at last we would have a road that would be above the high water mark besides being one of the best to be seen in this neighborhood…

Jan. 18, 1918

Volkert & Jansen shipped fourteen dressed hogs to Minneapolis on Wednesday, Mr. Pauly of near Eden Prairie taking them down in his auto truck.

The many friends of Rev. and Mrs. Carl Ganschow and family will regret to hear that they will leave for Des Moines, Iowa, in a couple of weeks where Rev. Ganschow will have charge of a parish. Rev. Ganschow was in charge of St. John’s Lutheran church for quite a number of years and have a host of friends here who wish them success and prosperity in their new home. Rev. Ganschow will preach his farewell sermon Sunday, January 27.

Court News. Dr. F. H. Buck, a Canadian subject, and a practicing physician here the past years, received his last papers on Tuesday which makes him a citizen of the United States. A number of his friends were present. Atty. Moriarty delivered a patriotic address, and presented the Doctor with an American flag. Atty. J. A. Coller closed the session with a few well chosen words after which congratulations were in order.

Jan. 25, 1918

Mrs. H J. Hoard and children left for New Orleans last Friday where they met Mr. Hoard and went to Robertsdale, Alabama, to spend some time at the winter home of Mr. Hoard’s parents. The Hoard family will remain in the South but just where they will locate has not been decided upon. Mr. Hoard is superintending the construction of cantonments and does not know where he will locate.

Agricultural Instructor Arrives. The Board of Education of Shakopee is gratified to know that the Agricultural department in the high school will not have to be discontinued this year because of the resignation of Mr. Smith. The second term of school opened Monday with a new instructor of Agriculture, Mr. E. E. Hupp…

Sid Dierberger has added a fine new 3-seated sleigh to his elegantly equipped livery vehicles.

Lieut. Dr. Dempsey departed for Minneapolis on Sunday morning where he has accepted the position of medical director in the Dunwoody Institute. Dr. Dempsey has been associated with Mudcura Sanitarium the past three and one half years and his going away is a matter for regret. He began his new duties on Monday morning.

Heatless Monday

The businessmen of Shakopee complied with the Government’s order and made last Monday a heatless and workless day. The five-day period of having all factories closed came to an end on Tuesday evening and affected only the Stove companies and Bottling works, locally.

Grocery stores, meat markets confectionery stores and practically every business place, excepting those engaged in food production, were closed. Drugstores operated but only for the sale of medicines.

The closing of the business places cause some inconvenience, especially to the farmers, who were not aware of the closing notice. This order will be enforced for nine consecutive Mondays, being found necessary in this way to aid in the Fuel Saving Campaign.

1918: Scott County Argus

Jan. 4, 1918

Herbert Strunk left Friday for Cochecton, N. Y., to resume his work in sculpture after spending six months at home. Herbert was called home by the draft but has been exempted because of disability due to an operation on his side.

Prominent Citizen Is Killed by Fall

The community was shocked Wednesday evening to learn that Frank Buch, one of our prominent citizens, had died at 8:15 o’clock as the result of a fall from a ladder that afternoon.

Mr. Buch had been superintending the cutting of trees at the county poorhouse and fell a distance of 16 feet or more, striking on his chest and crushing his heart. He was unconscious when picked up and died six hours later without reviving.

Dr. Reiter attended him and gave every possible aid but without avail…

Jan. 11, 1918

Waffle Benefit. On Thursday, January 17th, Miss Elizabeth K. Ries will have Waffle day at her home for the benefit of the Red Cross. Waffles will be served at Miss Ries’s home from 2:30 to 6 o’clock. Prices will be 15 cents for a waffle and maple syrup, two for 25 cents. Coffee, 5 cents. Everybody is invited, especially the ladies of the Red Cross classes. Miss Ries has taken this way of doing her bit for the Red Cross and all proceeds will be donated to the Shakopee chapter. Come and enjoy your waffles and help the Red Cross in so doing.

Acquaintances of Rev. Carl Ganschow and family will regret to learn that he is soon to sever his connection with St. John’s church and accept a parish in Des Moines.

Jan. 18, 1918

Shakopee To Have Co-Operative Creamery. A meeting of the farmers of Eden Prairie, Chanhassen and the territory south of Shakopee will be held at the offices of Atty. Jos. J. Moriarty tomorrow, Saturday, for the purpose of incorporating a farmers’ co-operative creamery…

While Joseph Huettle was cutting meat in Charles Hartmann’s market Monday, the knife slipped and plunged into his thigh about six inches from the knee cutting the leg to the bone and severing an artery. He is under Dr. Fischer’s care and getting along nicely though he will be unable to work for a week or more.

Woman Reformatory Plans Are Accepted. Preliminary plans for the reformatory for women at Shakopee were approved and accepted today at a conference between the state Board of Control and the Board of Woman Visitors. A fund of $100,000 for the erection of a main building will not be available until August 1, but it is proposed to award the building contract next spring…

Jan. 25, 1918

E. E. Hupp Appointed Agricultural Instructor. The Board of Education of the local school of Shakopee is gratified to know that the high school will not have to be discontinued this year because of the resignation of Mr. Smith. The second term of school opened Monday with a new instructor of Agriculture, Mr. E. E. Hupp…

The annual ice harvest began this week and the ice is of exceptionally good quality this year.

Miss Stacia Vierling has resigned as book-keeper for the Shakopee Telephone company her resignation to take effect February 1st. Miss Vierling will take an extended vacation and during her absence her duties will be looked after by Miss Theresa Schell.

Dr. F. H. Buck celebrated his entrance into citizenship of the United States by entertaining the officers of the court and all those who assisted in making him a citizen, at his home Thursday evening of last week.

William Ries’s children and their playmates are in full enjoyment of a private skating rink which Mr. Ries has made for them in the Ries yard. An embankment of cinders was built up and the yard was flooded, affording the youngsters a fine expanse of ice which is kept in good condition and furnishes excellent sport for the children of the neighborhood. The idea is one that might be used to advantage for the pleasure and benefit of their children by many of our residents who have city water in their homes and large yards at their disposal.

1943: Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Jan. 7, 1943

Surprise Blackout May Come Any Time, Warden Chief Says. Shakopee air-raid wardens are advised this week by Paul Ries, chief warden, not to forget the possibility of a surprise blackout. “It may come anytime,” he said, “and all of us should be prepared for it.”..

Miss Mildred Beckrich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Math Beckrich, has completed preliminary training in a Minneapolis radio and television institute and is now in St. Louis for an additional three-month course in electronics. She went to St. Louis, Friday night.

Jan. 14, 1943

Surprise Blackout May Come Any Time, Warden Chief Says. Shakopee air-raid wardens are advised this week by Paul Ries, chief warden, not to forget the possibility of a surprise blackout. “It may come anytime,” he said, “and all of us should be prepared for it.”…

Miss Mildred Beckrich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Math Beckrich, has completed preliminary training in a Minneapolis radio and television institute and is now in St. Louis for an additional three-month course in electronics. She went to St. Louis, Friday night.

Dr. Halver Chosen State President of Veterinary Society at St. Paul. Dr. D. L. Halver of this city, at the annual meeting of the State Veterinary Medical Society in St. Paul the first of the week, was elected the organization’s president. The meeting was attended by more than 200 members from throughout the state who had come to recognize in Dr. Halver a practitioner of ability and a leader in his chosen profession. He succeeds Dr. F. W. Hansen of St. Paul. The Argus-Tribune extends hearty congratulations to Dr. Halver upon his preference. Dr. John Dick of Minneapolis was chosen first vice-president, and Dr. H. C. Kernkamp of the University Farm, was re-elected secretary-treasurer of the organization. After a two-day session, the meeting was brought to a close Tuesday afternoon…

Changes in City Staff Follow Two Resignations

Changes in the staff of city employees are now in effect as a result of action by the City Council this week, following the resignation of the police chief and overseer of streets.

Leo Lauer, formerly nightwatchman, is now chief of police filling the vacancy created by the resignation of R. L. Brown. Howard Grosshauser was subsequently appointed nightwatchman.

The duties of the street overseer formerly discharged by William Jansen, resigned, have temporarily been combined with those of the superintendent of parks, a position held by Leonard Siebenaler. This arrangement, it was said, is to be in operation until the end of April.

Jan. 21, 1943

Henry C. Stark Purchases Holstein-Friesian Bull. Henry C. Stark of Eagle Creek, has become the owner of a purebred Holstein-Friesian bull. It is registered by the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, as King Optimist Con Wayne 859691, and was purchased from the herd of the State Reformatory farm, Shakopee.

Home Nursing Classes To Be Organized Here. Under the auspices of the Scott County Red Cross unit, a home nursing course is being organized here. The first class will start Wednesday, Jan. 27 and will be conducted from two until four o’clock in the afternoon, in the Domestic Science room in Shakopee high school. Mrs. Emil Mesenbrink, local registered nurse, will be in charge…

Jan. 28, 1943

Judge Connolly Elected To Place on State Baseball Association Board. At the annual meeting of the Association of Minnesota Amateur Baseball Leagues held at the Frederic hotel in St. Paul, Jan. 21, our local citizen, Judge F. J. Connolly, was elected to membership on the board for 1943, to take the place of Harry S. Johnston of Oxboro…

J. J. Cavanaugh Named Chairman. John J. Cavanaugh, Shakopee, was named chairman of the Scott County Committee for the Celebration of the President’s Birthday, it was announced today by the state committee…

At a meeting of Westminster Fellowship, Monday evening, at the Presbyterian Manse, Mrs. H. C. Schroeder gave a very interesting book review on the “Dog-team Doctor,” Dr. Joseph Romig, Moravian missionary at Bethel, Alaska. Dr. Romig’s son, Dr. Howard Romig, is now superintendent at a large hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.

1968: Shakopee Valley News

Jan. 4, 1968

City Approves Swimming Pool, Plans 1968 Opening. Approval was given engaging the Architecture firm of Wick, Stansfield, Kagermeier Architects, Inc. of Mankato, to draw up plans and specifications for a sand-bottom, lake-type swimming pool and proper officials given authority to sign contracts at the adjourned meeting of the Common council of the City of Shakopee last Thursday evening, December 28, with aldermen assured the facility would be ready in time for the 1968 swimming season…

Announce Malkerson Management Changes

Effective January 1, there was a change in management personnel at Malkerson Motors, 1206 East First Street, Shakopee.

Appointed new general manager is Al Fischer…

Named as new and used car sales manager was Stanley Dircks … Dircks has been in the automotive business for 12 years, and associated with Malkerson Motors for the past seven years…

Lester Malkerson of Minneapolis retains financial interest in Malkerson Motors, it was announced.

Yule Surprises For 550 Needy Children In Area

Remembered this Christmas season were 550 area needy children in Scott County through the Scott County Welfare department’s Christmas Toy project, with the assistance of donations from individuals and organizations.

Miss Lois Weckman of the Scott Welfare department in charge of the activity pointed out that 145 families were visited, and it was considered that this season’s Christmas project was an outstanding success with the help of donations which were greatly appreciated…

Offer Hockey Instruction

Shakopee area boys, interested in participating in the Shakopee Recreation Hockey Instruction program, are invited to be present at the Huber Park Hockey rink, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturdays.

Instructors in this program are Jerry Karkanen, “Chuck” Novakovich, Bruce Christensen and Dale Hauger.

Jan. 11, 1968

Jaycees Take Action To Urge ‘Move Ahead’ On Hwy. 169 Bridge

Following a lengthy discussion at the membership meeting held last Thursday, January 4, in the clubrooms at the KSMM Building on Lewis Street, the Shakopee Jaycees approved a Resolution urging the Minnesota Highway Department to reconsider plans for construction of the Minnesota River bridge and highway link for Highway 169 from Shakopee to Minneapolis.

The petition of the Shakopee Jaycees urges that the Minnesota Highway Department to move ahead its construction plans from the 1974-75 period to as early as 1969…

Traffic Safety Program At Shakopee High, Possibly ‘A First’ In Nation

“90 Minutes for Safety,” a special traffic safety program for high school seniors, will be presented at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday, January 18, at Shakopee Senior High School on Tenth Avenue for seniors of Jordan, Belle Plaine, Prior Lake and Shakopee Public High Schools.

The 90 minute program is a “first” for Minnesota and possibly in the country. Although driver education has been offered to high school lower classmen for some time, this is the first attempt to provide additional instruction for the seniors…

$40,000 Loss In Blaze Saturday At Former Simons Lumber Co.

Destroyed by first last Saturday morning, January 6, was the main frame building of the former Simons Lumber Co., at Second and Lewis, in the heart of the business district, as Shakopee firemen, assisted by volunteers from Chaska and Carver were successful in containing the blaze despite the 16 degrees below zero temperature…

The lumber yard, abandoned about a year ago, is owned by Dr. J. C. Huber, Shakopee dentist, and the building has been used by local firms for storage the past serval months. Formerly Shakopee Services, Inc., had garaged school buses there, but these had been previously moved as it was found that youths were getting in them as they were parked in the area…

Firemen reported the cause of the fire was not known.

Approve Jackson Township Plat

Approved at the December 28 adjourned meeting of the Scott County Board of Commissioners held at the courthouse in Shakopee was a subdivision, designated as “Glen Ellyn Park” in Jackson township, which had been previously approved by the Jackson Town Board and approval being recommended by the Scott County Planning Commission.

The tract is in the NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 13, Jackson township and contains 40.83 acres.

Jan. 18, 1968

Patrolman Assigned To Shakopee. Assigned to the Shakopee district is new State Highway Patrolman Carl S. Gantrils, who plans to make his home in this community…

Official Family Changes Of Shakopee Bank Staff

F. A. Weiland President of the First National Bank of Shakopee announced this week the following title changes as a result of the Annual Stockholders’ meeting held Tuesday of last week, January 9, at the Shakopee bank:

Claude H. Kolb elected auditor and installment lending officer.

James W. Raduenz elected installment lending officer.

Gary L. Fredrickson elected operations officer…

Downstairs of City Hall To Get ‘New Look’

That the Shakopee City Hall is to get a face lifting was the report of Alderman Charlie Rein, liaison to the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission, at the adjourned meeting of the Common Council of the City of Shakopee held Tuesday evening of this week, January 16.

Rein reported that the Utility commissioners at its meeting Monday night of this week approved a $3,548 project of renovation for the City Hall. He added that Pat O’Connor of Shakopee had received the contract to complete the work.

Planned is the remodeling of the downstairs of the City Hall to include renovation of the counters, new wainscoting and installation of new doors at the front and rear entrances to the building.

He added that consideration was also being given to the installation of carpeting…

Stans Foundation Gives $5000 Grant To Scott Historical Society

That the Scott County Historical Society has received a check in the amount of $5,000 from the Stans Foundation was announced this week by R. M. Weiler of Shakopee, president.

Weiler explained that this grant was offered to cover the preliminary research work for the Pond Grist Mill Area Restoration project at Memorial Park, just east of Shakopee off Highway 101, undertaken by the Society…

Jan. 25, 1968

Shakopee Chamber Opens Drive For Members; Achievements Listed. The Shakopee Chamber of Commerce is to begin a membership drive next week, Jim Stillman, chairman of the membership committee, announced this week…

Public Hearing Feb. 6 On Park Area Project. The Administrative committee of the Common Council of the City of Shakopee is conducting an open hearing, to which the public is invited, regarding how the Memorial Park area is to be developed…

New Ownership For Glass Container Plant. American Can Company has sold its glass container operation to a new privately owned company Midland Glass Co. of Cliftwood, New Jersey, including the plant located in Valley Industrial Park just off Highway 101, just east of Shakopee and two other plants one in Terre Haute, Indiana and the other in Cliftwood, New Jersey…

More than 100 industrial arts teachers were in attendance at the Minnetonka Industrial Arts Association meeting hosted by the Shakopee Industrial Arts teachers…

1993: Shakopee Valley News

Jan. 7, 1993

Canterbury Downs shut down. MINNEAPOLIS— The doors at Canterbury Downs were closed Dec. 31 after the Minnesota Racing Commission unanimously voted against continued simulcasting at the Shakopee track…

Judge with Irish wit and charm to depart

The first month of the new year will mark the end of an era in Minnesota legal history: Effective Jan. 31, the Honorable John M. Fitzgerald, the state’s longest-sitting district court judge, is retiring…

Fitzgerald, who in January will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 for state judges, was appointed to the bench in 1963 by then-Gov. Karl Rolvaag. He has spent nearly 30 years traversing the seven-county First Judicial District.

Much of that time he has been seated in Scott and Carver counties, and he’s made a big impression on area prosecutors, defense attorneys, courthouse personnel and judicial colleagues…

Jan. 14, 1993

Transportation study of east Shakopee approved by council. A transportation study of the eastern Shakopee area was approved by the City Council Jan. 5. The council also authorized the hiring of a consultant to prepare the study at a cost not to exceed $16,500…

Historical group to be organized. An organizational meeting for the Shakopee Historical Society will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Community Room of Norwest Bank, 738 E. First Ave…

Senator wants counties to match federal Ferry Bridge funds

A state senator from Tracy introduced a bill in the Legislature last week that calls for Scott and Hennepin counties to pick up the $20.3 million portion of funding needed to match federal money for the construction of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.

Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy, introduced the bill on Jan. 7 because he is opposed to the state picking up the project’s matching portion when other districts — including his — desperately needs their own road projects, he said…

Rotary Club to donate funds for kiosk on state trail

The Shakopee Rotary Club will fund an information kiosk along the Minnesota Valley State Trail, which is expected to be completed this spring, according to Steve Rose, Minnesota Valley Trail specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources…

Rose said the cooperative project could lay the groundwork for future support for trail improvements from the Rotary Club.

The Minnesota Valley Trail is under development from Fort Snelling State Park to Le Sueur. Completion of the metro segment, which extends to Belle Plaine, is expected in 1995. The six-mile segment from Shakopee to Chaska is paved and usable for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

Rose said the kiosk, to be located just west of the Levee Drive senior center, will feature information about the natural and human history of the valley, and thereby fit into an overall interpretive plan for the trail.

“The design might incorporate benches made using old stones from a nearby historic bridge, along with sketches, old photos and narrative,” said Rose. It will fit in nicely with the historical interpretive signage that will be placed along the trail.”…

Jan. 21, 1993

Stans museum near reality

Shakopee native Maurice Stans and Scott County are near agreement on a proposal to build a $1 million facility that would house a museum containing Stans memorabilia and provide space for the Scott County Historical Society on the corner of Second Avenue and Holmes Street in Shakopee.

Stans has offered to spend $1 million for the facility, contingent on the county agreeing to appropriate not less than $30,000 a year for operating expenses for both the museum and the historical society, said Scott County Administrator Cliff McCann…

New-housing permits in city surged in 1992

Construction of single-family homes surged in Shakopee in 1992, and city officials believe the trend will continue as access to the area south of the Minnesota River improves with completion of local highway and bridge projects.

The city issued 151 building permits for single-family homes last year, compared to 115 in 1991. In the three years prior to 1991 permits for home starts lingered at about 100 per year…

Casket-making firm to build plant in city

An Indiana firm that manufactures caskets plans to build a 12,000-square-foot distribution facility at the Valley Green Business Park on Citation Drive and Valley Industrial Boulevard North in Shakopee.

Aurora Casket Co., based in Aurora, Ind., will build the facility on 1.6 acres of land, and plans to occupy the building in March…

Koniarski: All sides agree on state funding needed for Ferry Bridge

Bill Koniarski, chairman of the Scott County Transportation Coalition (SCTC), told Scott County commissioners Tuesday that the players involved in the funding of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge project are now working with the same financial figures, which he said should help the project receive the funding it needs from the state Legislature this session…

Koniarski said everyone now agrees on the final price tag for the project: $144 million…

Jan. 28, 1993

Bypass delayed for one year

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced that difficulties in obtaining rights of way and a funding shortage will delay completion of the Shakopee Bypass by one year.

The nine-mile Shakopee Bypass, which will skirt urban Shakopee to the south, was expected to be open for traffic in November 1994, said Scott County Highway Engineer Brad Larson. But the DOT’s lengthy right of way acquisition process, coupled with funding shortages, will delay completion until November 1995…

New plans for Co. 18 raise ire of neighbors

Scott County’s plans to reconstruct County Road 18 to four lanes the entire distance from the Shakopee Bypass/Highway 101 interchange to County Road 42 has upset some nearby residents, who say they have been deceived by county officials and are considering legal action.

The county originally had planned to reconstruct County Road 18 as four lanes from the bypass to County Road 16, where it would become two lanes until it meets County Road 42. It was also planned that the county may complete the road as four lanes later…

Relatives of Johann Gutenberg Ran the City Meat Market (1869)

Places

By David R. Schleper

According to the Shakopee Argus-Tribune, on Dec. 5, 1940, the inventor of the movable type had direct descendants living in Shakopee in the 1850s.

The Minneapolis Tribune published an article about the descendants of Johann Gutenberg. In 1439, Johann Gutenberg invented a movable type, which changed history.

Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (ca. 1400 – Feb. 3, 1468) was a German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer, and publisher who introduced printing to Europe with the printing press. His introduction of mechanical movable type printing to Europe started the Printing Revolution. It spread the learning to the masses.

Johann Gutenberg
Johann Gutenberg

Gutenberg in 1439 was the first European to use movable type. Among his many contributions to printing are: the invention of a process for mass-producing movable type; the use of oil-based ink for printing books; adjustable molds; mechanical movable type; and the use of a wooden printing press.

Movable Printing Press
Movable Printing Press

The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in Europe, and Gutenberg’s printing technology spread rapidly, throughout Europe and then later the whole world.

Gutenberg Bible
Gutenberg Bible

The lineage of Johann Gutenberg, who made possible today’s newspapers through his invention of movable type in 1439, extends into Minnesota.

John Gutenberg was born April 7, 1828, in Prussia. On Feb. 20, 1851, John married Dora Vichman. In 1853, the family emigrated to America. They lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a short time.

In 1855, John and Dora and their children moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and in the spring of 1857 they moved to Shakopee. He was a musician.

John Gutenberg, in company with H. Fanakuch, built a hotel. He also did mason work and dealt in livestock. John then worked in the butcher business, and in 1869 he established the City Meat Market on Holmes Street.

Dora Vichman Gutenberg died in Shakopee on Jan. 6, 1875.

The Great Fire of 1879 happened on Thursday, Oct. 2, 1879. According to The Shakopee Story by Julius Coller II, it was a clear, warm, lazy fall day. The trees had lost most of their leaves, and Shakopee people were on downtown streets, busy after lunch. At the Argus building, Editor William Hinds was finishing the paper that was ready to go to press.

He could smell burning leaves wafting through the open windows. Suddenly, someone below yelled out, “Fire!” When he looked out from the window, Hinds saw the National Hotel on the corner of Holmes and First Street was on fire.

Here is an advertisement from 1866 for the National Hotel.

National Hotel Advertisement

Here is a picture of the National Hotel, taken in 1875.

National Hotel

Please note that the City Meat Market is to the left of the National Hotel. It is the two-story building. The first floor was the City Meat Market, while an apartment was on the second floor. The National Hotel is located at what currently is Valley Sports at 102 1st Ave. West, on the corner of First Avenue and Holmes Street.

Hinds, always a newspaper man, scribbled a few lines on the fire for the paper, and then, after looking out and seeing the black clouds of smoke coming towards his building, hurried outside.

A bucket brigade and willing hands of the citizens of Shakopee helped, but the wind fanned the flames, and it continued to spread. The mayor, recorder, and city attorney rushed to the train depot and telegraphed St. Paul for help. The St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad offered a special train, and St. Paul city responded with a hose and fire company with all equipment. A clear track was allowed to allow the train to hurry to the stricken city.

Meanwhile, the increasing wind continued to blow out of the north. The fire moved beyond the National Hotel to Mrs. Schutz’s residence and storehouse. Next it continued to the two-story frame building of John Gutenberg. Gutenberg’s stock of meat and the contents of the apartment upstairs were in flames. The building, including the City Meat Market, burned to the ground.

Across the street, Kohls’s and Berens’s removed their stock of merchandise in case it blew across the avenue. (Note: The Kohls’s and Berens’s Store was located on the east side of Holmes Street and First Avenue.)

Next it was the Heidenreich’s one-story saloon with the apartment in the rear. The black smoke and embers soon enveloped the bar. It continued to burn southward and leaped across the alley to Peter Mergens’s building, which was also a saloon of John Donnersbach. Up in flames went the saloon, even with the hard work of the bucket brigade. It just wasn’t helping; the wind kept blowing. Next was John Frank’s tailor shop. Frank moved most of the contents across the street to D. L. How’s lawn across the street. (Note: This is David Lennox How and Mary Sherrard How’s house, which later became the first hospital in Shakopee, and later became the American Legion, finally torn down to build the First National Bank, which later became the third city hall before being torn down recently.)

The John Frank’s tailor shop (located probably where Paul’s Bike Shop or Riverside Printing Press are located today) was up in flames.

By 3 p.m., the National Hotel was a smoldering ruin, with the north and east walls collapsed into the fire. One of the dignified citizens of Shakopee, looking at the mess, said to his companion, “Looks like she’s all going up in smoke. Let’s have a drink!” (One of my favorite responses!)

Finally, just before 4 p.m., the strike of the locomotive whistle announced the arrival of aid from St. Paul. The train stopped near Holmes Street, and people started unloading the fire equipment.

At the same time, the saloon of Herman Baumhager fell prey to the crackling flames, and on the corner, the confectionery store of George B. Gardner started bursting into flames. As the firemen from St. Paul had a steam pumper pumping water from the river, people in Shakopee were worried that the flames would leap across to the east side of Holmes Street. The swirling smoke made it hard to see, but some people thought all of Shakopee would be lost.

St. Paul's Fire Department, 1879
St. Paul’s Fire Department, 1879

Luckily, the fire was confined to the west side of Holmes Street.

Below is a pumper, similar to one used in Shakopee:

Fire Department Pumper

That evening, Shakopee citizens entertained the St. Paul firemen at the United States Hotel. Later that evening, Rev. Alois Plut, pastor of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, had a reception at his residence. By 11 p.m., the special train, filled with the fire engines and many of the firemen, headed back to St. Paul. A few firemen stayed overnight, and waited the next day to head back. They needed the extra day to recover from their exertion and the celebration.

The next morning, Shakopee citizens looked discouraged as they saw the whole block of blackened walls and twisted, smoking wreckage. A day before, it was a block of prosperous business establishments and happy homes. But they took a breath, smiled at each other and knew that they were still alive, and began to build new buildings that rose from the smoke of the fire.

Mayor H. B. Strait requested St. Paul to present its bill for the valuable service rendered to fight the fire. Mayor Dawson of St. Paul replied, “…So far as any remuneration for services rendered is concerned, the opportunity of being able to render assistance to a neighboring city in distress is ample reward.” The railroad also did not charge for the special train that it placed in service on that October day.

John Gutenberg rebuilt the City Meat Market, and carried on a successful trade until his death on June 23, 1880.

After John died, his sons, Henry and John, Jr., conducted the business. The family consisted of these two young men and their sisters, Lizzie and Christina.

In the Nov. 17, 1892 Scott County Argus, a note mentioned that John Gutenberg, Jr. was in St. Paul on Monday, and brought home with him some choice venison for his meat market.

John Gutenberg, Jr. died in 1910. His wife then moved to Seattle.

According to the Minneapolis Tribune, in 1940, the widow of John Gutenberg, Jr., born in Shakopee, walked into a display of printing craftsmanship at Seattle, where she had lived for some years, and disclosed her relationship to the man whose memory was being honored.

The Minneapolis Tribune added that “One of her cousins, A. C. Austin, 91, a resident of the Odd Fellows home at Northfield, Minn., added the details about the former Gutenberg residence at Shakopee.”

And so now you know about the City Meat Market, and the famous Gutenbergs, who spread the news via the printing press, and were involved, through their store, in the famous Great Fire of 1879.

Remember When: December 2017

Remember When

1892: Shakopee Courier

Dec. 1, 1892

Come over to Weiland’s feed store and examine the fine specimens of quartz he has got, fresh from the mines.

Miss Florence Humphrey has resigned her position in the post office, and Miss Belle Spencer has taken her place.

Hubert Marx’s barn is being rapidly reroofed and otherwise repaired after the late burning.

The young men of Shakopee organized a skating club and will fix up a good place on the river, under the management of Peter Paul. Red light means danger.

Dec. 8, 1892

H. P. Marx has got on such a fine lot of elegant Xmas gifts, that the people in this vicinity will not have to go elsewhere to get their presents. Patronize our own merchants if possible, and help build up the town, always.

Messrs Joe Strunk and H. Thiede were destined to much disappointment in having to hunt the entire day for their lost dogs, on a late rabbit chase, thus destroying their sport, to become the sport of rival rabbit hunters.

Dec. 15, 1892

Storm porches are being put up on the Union school building.

There is nothing more useful or ornamental to a home, in a Christmas gift, than a fine piece of furniture. Philipps is the place to get anything in that line.

John Merten has opened a cigar factory here and in a short time will be prepared to furnish the trade with another first-class cigar. He makes a specialty of one called the Elk. Success to him.

Dec. 22, 1892

Several fights occurred around town Saturday night and Sunday, for which arrests have been made.

In pretty much all well regulated cities and large towns, and many small ones too, skating parks are in order and are protected by the authorities for the benefit of all wishing to exercise and amuse themselves in that way. It is left for Shakopee however, for some one mean enough to try to prevent skating on the shallow and therefore safe little pond adjoining the brick yard, by persistently throwing ashes thereon, thus forcing the young folks to the more dangerous river, or else to give up skating.

Dec. 29, 1892

Messrs Chewning and Gellenbeck are having wells dug on their places.

G. L. Nye, proprietor of the stove works, hearing that the foundry men had suddenly stopped work on Saturday afternoon last, rushed from his office into the building to find the entire force very suspiciously congregated about the furnace, and approaching to enquire into this unusual occurrence, was set upon by John Squires in a neat little presentation speech on behalf of the employees, who gave him a heavy gold seal ring for his Christmas. W. V. Johnson, the popular foreman was also presented with a handsome fountain pen.

Ed Haack is now employed in the Central barber shop here.

1892: Scott County Argus

Dec. 1, 1892

John Feiner has moved into the house lately vacated by Geo. DeVoue.

Those of our charitable citizens, who gave help to an old man who was begging around town last week, will be glad to learn that with the aid of their contributions he was enabled to make a few needed improvements on his farm which is worth at least $6,000.

A skating club has been organized and some twenty-five dollars collected to keep the ice cleared of snow. The rink will be on the river at the foot of Holmes street and will be about 300 feet square. The gun club house has been secured and moved to the ice for a warming room. The house would be more convenient if moved to this side of the river.

Dec. 8, 1892

H. P. Marx has built a 14×20 barn on his father’s lot south of Wilder’s lumber yard.

Pond’s FEED MILL grinds all kinds of feed at the LOWEST PRICES.

Never-slips are in great demand. The first three day s of last week J. A. Dean and his three assistants put on to horses’ shoes 476 never-slip calks. As this was before the ram one can imagine the demand for never-slips since then.

The stove foundry ran short of coke last week and was obliged to shut down the three last days of the week. The foundry has been doing a rushing business this season, and notwithstanding that they had a large stock on hand at the beginning of the season they have been unable to fill late orders for heaters as fast as the trade wanted them. There are fifty-eight employes on the pay roll.

Dec. 15, 1892

Peter Roth has resigned his position as bookkeeper for the Minnesota Stove Co.

Have you seen the wedding of the dolls in Huntsman & Edert’s show window?

John Gentgen is having his barber shop enlarged so that he can put in another chair. When finished it will be one of the best equipped barber shops in the valley.

Dec. 22, 1892

F. X. Hirscher and sons placed two very handsome altars in St. Mary’s church this morning.

Reis Bros. have added to their long string of thorough-breeds, the celebrated running horse Rocket.

Dec. 29, 1892

The Bierline band assisted the choir in the musical program at the church last Sunday.

The Lutherans had a handsomely decorated Christmas tree for the enjoyment of the little ones Christmas eve.

The Shakopee Cornet Band, as the new band is called, will give a New Year dance at the Opera House on Tuesday evening January 10th, 1893.

1917: Scott County Argus

Dec. 7, 1917

Ben Hirscher, book-keeper for the Minnesota Stove Co., enlisted last week in Minneapolis and left Friday for Camp Dodge where he will do similar work at headquarters.

Mr. and Mrs. T. N. Lillie, who have been occupying the Herman Logenfeil residence on Third street, have stored their household goods and moved to Minneapolis Friday.

Dec. 14, 1917

John Gentgen and family have moved into Mrs. E. Dreschsler’s former home and F. N. Heinz has taken the place vacated by Mr. Gentgen. J. M. Johnson is occupying the H. Logenfeil home where T. N. Lillie formerly lived.

Cordwood choppers wanted. Inquire of H. C. Schroeder, Shakopee, Minn.

Dec. 21, 1917

Shakopee Boy Winner of Medal. R. B. Smith agricultural instructor of the high school, has just received a fine sterling silver medal from Mr. Erickson, state leader of the Boys’ and Girls Club work, to be given to George Hartman as a reward for his excellent results in the state Pig Growing contest. George is quite a pig raiser, having represented Scott county at the state fair the past two years, also being the champion for Scott county. It is high time other boys get into the game and show what they can do.

Automobile Owners, Attention. Scott County automobile owners are asked to donate their discarded license numbers to the Scott County Chapter of the Red Cross. If each owner of a car will leave his tags at one of the garages nearest to his place of residence, arrangements will be made by the Red Cross to collect and sell them for the benefit of the Scott County chapter…

Miss Louise Weiland is assisting her brother-in-law, L. Schaefer, in his jewelry store during the holiday rush.

Eagle Creek. The Jacob Fischer farm was sold recently, Theodore Mathews buying 160 acres in Eagle Creek and Henry Mathew 80 acres in Glendale. The price paid was $13,000.

Dec. 28, 1917

R. B. Smith Goes To Arkansas. R. B. Smith, the efficient instructor in the agricultural department of the high school, tendered his resignation Friday to take effect the last of the year. Mr. Smith has received numerous flattering offers from time to time and the latest proferred opportunities that he felt he could not reject in justice to himself. He left yesterday with Mrs. Smith for Wynne, Arkansas, where he will teach agriculture in extension work under the Smith-Hughes act. Mr. Smith has been a conscientious, earnest, painstaking instructor, untiring in his efforts to interest the boys and girls in their work, and his efforts are appreciated by all who know how greatly the high school and community has benefited by his work. It is to be regretted that he was not retained in Shakopee, but he and Mrs. Smith carry with them to their new home the goodwill of a host of friends made during their residence in this city. At the present time Mr. Smith’s successor has not been elected and there is some question as to whether or not the department of agriculture will be continued.

Miss Leonora Linhoff Sings Before Muratore

Miss Leonora Linhoff, supervisor of music in the public schools in this city, recently had the opportunity of singing before Muratore, famous tenor of the Chicago Grand Opera company, and his wife, Lina Cavalieri who were favorably impressed with her voice and spoke very highly of her ability. Miss Linhoff has gained considerable recognition as a signer and is always enjoyed. Many have expressed the opinion of Muratore—that she has a beautiful voice.

The above complimentary notice of Miss LInhoff’s ability as a vocalist appeared in the Racine (Wis.) Journal-News of December 18th. Miss Linhoff is one of Shakopee’s most admired artists and her steady progress in her musical career is followed with deep interest by her many friends in this city who are proud of her achievements on the concert stage.

1942: Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Dec. 3, 1942

Gas Rationing Effects Local Milk Deliveries

Elimination of Sunday and holiday milk deliveries is announced this week by the Oak Grove Dairy and the Shakopee Dairy, in an advertisement in the Argus-Tribune.

The curtailment of service, effective this week, the route operators said, is necessary because of the restrictions imposed by gasoline rationing…

All-Night Parking in Business Area Banned

Just in case it becomes necessary for snow removal crews to work thru the night in Shakopee, the police department this week issued an order banning all-night parking of cars on the streets of the city’s business district.

The order, according to R. L. Brown, police chief, is effective immediately. Compliance is mandatory and will greatly assist in keeping the main thoroughfares open at all times.

Dec. 10, 1942

Shakopee Girl Is In the Army Now. The distinction of being Shakopee’s and possibly Scott county’s first WAAC, goes to Georgene Beckrich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Math Beckrich of Shakopee, who was one of 25 young women sworn into military service in ceremonies at the Federal Office Building, Minneapolis, last Wednesday.

Men, Women Physical Fitness Classes Set

Monday and Wednesday evening have been found available for the local physical fitness program, Wilfred Sanford, director, announced this week.

The classes for men will be Mondays, from 7:30 to 9 o’clock. The classes for women will be Wednesdays, from 7:30 to 9 o’clock. All classes will be held in the high school gym.

Persons over high school age are eligible and must furnish suitable equipment. Tennis shoes or the equivalent are a necessity.

How long the program lasts depends upon the public interest. Those interested are urged to bring a friend.

“Do your bit…be physically fit,” the director said.

Dec. 17, 1942

Two Hurt When Passenger Train, and Milk Truck Crash. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bigot were injured when the Oak Grove Dairy milk truck in which they were riding, and a westbound Omaha passenger train collided at the Spencer street crossing of the rail line here before noon Wednesday…

Local Surgical Dressing Units Work Long Hours

While American soldiers endure on the far-flung battle liens of a global war, home front soldiers are eagerly working long hours to turn out needed material. In the forefront of this activity are the zealous women of the Scott County Surgical Dressings units, who have turned out dressings by the thousands.

A first report submitted by officers of the Scott county units, states that 18,000 (4×4) dressings and 7,200 (4×8) dressings have been made to complete the first quota. Work on the second quota is now well underway…

Mrs. A. E. Boppel is Scott County Surgical Dressings chairman; and the local chairman is Mrs. Al Johnson.

Area Blackout Called Success

So successful was the blackout of the seventh army region, Monday night, that officials have indicated a surprise and completely unannounced blackout might well be expected anytime.

In Shakopee, as throughout the nine-state area involved in the test, the reports of results indicated that all phases of the air-raid warning system were functioning efficiently.

Only two minor infractions were reported by Shakopee wardens and there appears to be no reason why these should recur. There was complete cooperation between defense units and the populace with resultant success…

Dec. 24, 1942

Employees of the local Telephone Company, enjoyed their annual Christmas party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Leibold Thursday evening of last week. The evening was very pleasantly spent at games and cards, followed by the exchange of gifts and a very delicious lunch.

Jacob Ries Bottling Works., Inc. Has Attained Its 70th Anniversary

This year 1942, marks the seventieth anniversary of Jacob Ries Bottling Works., Inc., one of Shakopee’s flourishing and well-known enterprises. It was founded in the year 1872, by the late Jacob Ries. From a humble beginning down through the years to the present, by conservative management, by the production of quality goods, and by fair and honorable dealing, its business has grown and extended until today its beverages are sold and used in many of the states of the union.

Commemorating the occasion the firm has issued a neat and appropriate folder in which are illustrated several of the historical events of the nation, and views of the firms’ physical plant—then and now. The folder also carries to its many friends and patrons the greetings of the season.

Two City Employees Resign Jobs Here, Join Cargill Crew

Two city employees, R. L. Brown, police chief, and William Jansen, overseer of streets, have resigned their posts, it was announced this week.

Jansen, who resigned December 15, had been a city employee since 1934. The day following his resignation he began his new duties at the Cargill boat works at Savage.

Chief Brown tendered his resignation this week, effective January 1. He has been the city’s chief of police for ten years. He too, has secured a position in the ship yards at Savage and begins his work there Monday.

Pending appointment of his successor Leonard Siebenaler, superintendent of parks, is carrying on Jansen’s work. Who is to assume Brown’s duties is not yet known.

Dec. 31, 1942

Essay Receives Honor Mention. Betty Ann Schmidt, 12, a seventh grade student at St. Mary’s school here, won honorable mention in a national essay contest, sponsored by the publishers of a new juvenile, “The Good Bad Boy,” written by the famed pastor-author, of Rochester, N. Y., Rev. Gerald T. Brennan. Announcement of the award was made by the publishers. Sister Mary Cornelia, seventh grade teacher at St. Mary’s school, submitted the review…

War Bonds and Stamps Instead of Party Lunch

Displaying a true spirit of patriotism seventh and eighth grade pupils and all high school students did without lunch at their annual Christmas party and instead used the money to buy war stamps and bonds as Christmas gifts for all Shakopee high school graduates in the armed services.

School authorities said a sale of stamps and bonds during the party totalled $131.00.

Old Bridge Has Passed From Shakopee Picture

In case you haven’t been noticing, the old span across the Minnesota river is no more. The last vertical steel pillar toppled Tuesday afternoon and the wrecking crew is now removing the turn-table mechanism on the center pier.

The steel has been cut with acetylene torches and is now on its way to the scrap heap and eventual use in armaments. All that remains are three aged stone piers, unsightly reminders of what had been.

1967: Shakopee Valley News

Dec. 7, 1967

Annexation Hearing Today

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday), December 7, the Municipal commission of the State of Minnesota will open the public hearing on the annexation proposal, as presented in a petition and resolution by the City of Shakopee, in the Council Chambers of the Shakopee City Hall on West First.

The hearing is open to all interested persons.

The proposed annexation, as approved by the Shakopee Common Council following a series of hearings held in the Council Chambers, includes all of Jackson, Louisville and Eagle Creek townships.

Planning Study For Eagle Creek Township

Recommendation that a planner be engaged to make a thorough study of the Eagle Creek township community was made by the Eagle Creek Planning Commission Monday evening of this week, December 4, to the Eagle Creek Town Board.

This action came after approximately a year’s consideration of such a move and after much conferring with state and federal officials…

The study is to include such information as the future development potential, future public facilities, transportation projects, financial considerations, sanitary needs and recreational areas to name but a few. It will also provide some answers to questions, both pro and con, about what annexation to various surrounding communities would mean in terms of the above mentioned consideration.

Dec. 14, 1967

Annexation Hearing Continued, Metropolitan Council Report Asked. The Municipal Commission of the State of Minnesota hearing on the proposal of the City of Shakopee annexing all of Eagle Creek, Jackson and Louisville townships, was continued at the initial hearing at 1:30 p.m. last Thursday, December 7, until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 14, in the Council Chambers at the Shakopee City Building…

First Rotary Club Foreign Exchange Student Choice Announced Tuesday

First Shakopee High school senior and two runners-up in the selection for participation in the Shakopee Rotary Club sponsored foreign exchange student, through the International Youth Exchange Program of Rotary, were announced at a dinner meeting Tuesday of this week, December 12, at the Shakopee House, east edge of Shakopee, at which Rotary Annes, wives of members, were honored guests, along with the parents of the students selected…

Miss Elizabeth Rockwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Rockwell, was the first Shakopee High senior to be chosen by the Shakopee Rotary Club to study abroad for a year as a high school senior in a foreign country. The selection of her particular country is yet to be made. In the program, a student from the country chosen is to attend Shakopee Senior High School…

Consolidation School Vote Approval 67 To 3

With a vote of 67 for and three against, approved in balloting in the Marystown School lunchroom, RR 2 Shakopee on Tuesday of this week, December 12, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., was the proposed consolidation of Marystown School District No. 1875 with Shakopee Public School District No. 720…

The consolidation of the two school districts is now to be effective on July 1, 1968…

City Plans For Redevelopment Of Memorial Park At E. Edge

Approval was given appropriating $1,500 from the city rental fund for planning the redevelopment of Memorial Park at the East edge of the city at the regular meeting of the Common Council held Tuesday night of this week, December 12, in the City Hall Council Chambers.

The city rental fund gains proceeds from rental of the buildings in the former NYA camp at the east edge of the city adjacent to Memorial Park.

It was pointed out that this redevelopment would include planning for this area as the buildings are to be removed in accordance with previous action of the Common council. Also involved is the use of bottom land in the area, the possible relocation of the facilities of the Shakopee Sportman’s club, and co-ordinating the planning with that of the Scott County Historical Society’s plans at the old Grist Mill in Memorial Park, which is now qualifying to receive a $5,000 grant from the Maurice H. Stans Foundation…

Along with this activity the present city dump at the east edge is to be discontinued effective January 1 of next year.

Mayor Ray Siebenaler pointed out that residents would be able to use the Fox & Weiler pay dump, located on the north side of the Minnesota River, just opposite the Riverside ball diamond, which maintains hours similar to those at the city dump. He pointed out that this dump would except clean land fill, excepting stumps and large tree roots…

$55,000 In Improvements For Shakopee Phone Company Office

Northwestern Bell Telephone Company recently completed work on two service improvement projects, which cost nearly $55,000, W. R. Mahady, Shakopee, manager, announced.

The projects consisted of installing additional long distance switching equipment and associated equipment in the Shakopee telephone office and modifying long distance switchboards to make it possible to provide more efficient long distance service…

Dec. 21, 1967

Barn On Marystown Farm Lost In Blaze Early Sunday Morning. Shakopee volunteer firemen were called out at 4:28 a.m. last Sunday, December 17, to assist the Prior Lake Volunteer firemen at the blaze at the Herbert Michael farm, the former Hennes farm, RR 2 Shakopee, a mile east of Marystown on Scott County Road No. 72, in which a barn and small amount of hay and straw were lost, along with a used car, household appliances and dog kennel equipment stored in the structure…

Superior Performance On Same Mail Route In Shakopee For 40 Years Brings Award To Pink

On the same mail route for 40 years, delivering in the downtown business section and west end of Shakopee, is the record of Edmund Pink.

And he has maintained sustained superior performance and now has a sustained Superior Performance Award plaque, a check for $250 and a lapel pin for his uniform to give evidence of this.

This award was made Wednesday of last week at the Shakopee Post Office, the first such award for a smaller post office in this immediate area, as Pink would ordinarily be eligible for a pay raise, but as he is already at the top of the salary schedule, the Sustained Superior Performance recognition was extended this letter carrier who began his route on December 1, 1927 and has had this same route for the past 40 years…

Window Paintings Bring Yule Spirit To St. Francis Home

St. Francis Home and Hospital is brimming with Christmas Sprit this holiday season, as witnessed by the painting contest in progress all over the hospital. Employees on the hospital staff organized the idea of painting Christmas motifs on the large window of the hospital rooms, halls and lobby and the management went along by offering prizes for the most original and attractive offerings.

First prize will be a five pound box of candy, second prize will be a three pound box, and the next five honorable mention choices will each be awarded a one pound box of candy. The judging will take place around December 21…

Dec. 28, 1967

Knitting Becomes Full Time Job For Shakopee ‘Shoppe’ Owner. What is small and friendly and can knit thirty rows of 200 stitches in one minute? Why, it’s Jackie Robarge and her knitting machine, of course! Jackie has recently opened “Jackie’s Knit Shoppe at 115 West First Avenue (next to Winnie’s Dress Shop) and features knitting materials, patterns, free instruction, custom made machine-knitted articles, and also the knitting machines for “do it yourself” addicts…

Caroling Trek For 160 Pupils Of St. Mark’s

Carolers from the middle grades of St. Mark’s School of Shakopee, 160 in all, under the direction of Sister Marion, spread Christmas Cheer on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

On Monday, December 18, 65 fourth grade pupils caroled through the halls at the St. Francis Rest Home and Hospital in Shakopee.

Friendship Manor, east edge of Shakopee, was the destination on Tuesday, December 19, for 40 pupils of the fifth grade.

Wednesday of last week, December 20, about 55 pupils in the sixth grade, caroled through the halls at St. Francis Rest Home and Hospital.

Then this group hiked to the Children’s Home at the Shakopee Correctional Institution for Women on Sixth Avenue to present a short program of songs to the accompaniment of rhythm instruments.

They also dramatized “Up On The House Top” for the children. Individually wrapped cookies were presented to the children at the Children’s Home by pupils of the sixth grade.

Engineers Recommend Ferry Bridge Site To Scott Co. Board

“The best interest of Scott County will be served by the construction of a new high level bridge over the Minnesota River at the Bloomington Ferry Location.”

This is the recommendation in the report by the engineering firm of Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson and Associates, Inc. of Minneapolis released this week by the Scott County Board of Commissioners, who engaged the firm to make the study of possible bridge sites.

Considered in the report was the Bloomington Ferry bridge location just to the north of the Stage Coach on Highway 101, and the Normandale Road Bridge, combination auto-rail bridge at the northwest edge of Savage…

Jaycees Urge Council Action On Proposed Swimming Pool Tonight

Expected at a special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Shakopee this evening (Thursday), December 28, is action on the report of the Swimming Pool committee, presented at a called meeting held Monday evening of last week, December 18, in the Council Chambers with aldermen and interested persons invited.

The Jaycees of Shakopee have also gone on record as supporting the report of the Swimming Pool committee and are urging that the Common Council initiate the project as soon as possible…

1992: Shakopee Valley News

Dec. 3, 1992

New name, new focus

The setting may seem traditional – desks lined up in a room ringed by stoves and ovens, microwaves and sinks – and the organization that meets here still takes part in activities such as preparing food and using homemaking skills.

But the names have changed, and so has the focus.

Shakopee High School’s former Future Homemakers of America (FHA) club is now called the Future Leaders of America (FLA), a name-change made in the 1980s.

The club meets in the personal- and family-life science department classroom, and some people may call it home economics, its former name.

What has remained the same through the years is the woman who has coordinated and helped the students lead the program.

Sandie McNellis, personal- and family-life science instructor, came to Shakopee High School 31 years ago. With her came the start of the FHA program…

Bloomington firm moving operations to Shakopee

Nybo Manufacturing Inc. of Bloomington has announced it will move its business operations to Shakopee.

The privately owned company is a custom sheet-metal fabricator, which has been in business in Bloomington for the past 32 years, said company President Dennis Nybo.

The company is moving to 4500 Valley Industrial Blvd. – the former site of Heavy Duty Air Inc., which recently moved its operation to South Dakota…

Dec. 10, 1992

Council approves Lions Park arena feasibility study. The Shakopee City Council voted 5-0 on Dec. 1 to hire an engineering consulting firm to conduct a marketing and operational analysis of a proposed ice arena at Lions Park at a cost not to exceed $180,000. The study will be paid from the city’s contingency fund…

Fire damages apartment in city

Fire Tuesday afternoon in Shakopee damaged an apartment and its contents but no injuries were reported.

The fire, in a local lower level apartment on the two-story Country Village Apartments, 1265 S. Marschall Road, started when a towel a man was using while cooking accidentally caught fire. The towel was thrown in a sink, but contents in a nearby open cabinet drawer caught fire. Many items inside the apartment, including appliances and furniture, were destroyed by the fire, and there was smoke and fire damage to the apartment as well, fire officials said…

Dec. 17, 1992

Historic fire. Shakopee firefighters were called to Murphy’s Landing Dec. 9 after a creosote-lined chimney caught fire in the foundry located on the site… Ironically, the foundry is located next to Murphy’s historic volunteer fire department building… The foundry sustained minor smoke damage.

With a lot of help from friends

Saving people from burning buildings may be one of the more obvious jobs the Shakopee Fire Department has performed.

But it’s definitely not the only way firefighters have rescued people.

The department has also answered calls to pull people from water, get them out of confined spaces such as a manhole or ditch, and to contain a hazardous-material spill.

While these calls may not require the flashing lights and sirens associated with fire runs, they do bring out a red vehicle: the department’s Fire Rescue II truck.

The truck, and the equipment it contains, are valued at $75,000 and are the latest additions to the department. The vehicle has been in service since June.

According to Second Assistant Chief Terry Link, the department itself has put in $2,500, using donations from fund-raisers such as the steak fry and dance, and the remainder of the costs have been picked up by local businesses and organizations.

“We’re donating this back to the city,” said Link. “We’ve had a lot of good contributors in this area. We’re really grateful to them…”

School district’s referendum ballot language approved

Following consideration of three sample ballots, the Shakopee School Board on Monday night approved the wording of the question it wants to appear on the school referendum ballots on Feb. 2.

The ballot question adopted by the board will read as follows: “Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 720 (Shakopee) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,590,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the renovation, remodeling, including handicapped accessibility, equipping and construction of additions to various existing school district facilities, the purchase of land, improvement of various school district sites, and the acquisition and installation of instructional equipment and improved technology systems in various district facilities?”…

Dec. 24, 1992

Live-meet agreement said near

MINNEAPOLIS—A group of local investors told the Minnesota Racing Commission Friday that it is close to an agreement with Ladbroke Racing Corp. in which it would lease Canterbury Downs to conduct a live racing meet in 1993.

Under the proposal, the Minnesota Festival of Champions would raise $500,000 to finance a live meet that would begin on Memorial Day weekend and run for 13 or 14 weeks. The group said purses for the meet would be $40,000 to $50,000 a day, double that of the 1992 season at the Shakopee track. Simulcasting programs from California, Chicago and other top U.S. tracks would continue as well…

Randy Sampson, a thoroughbred breeder and owners and one of the group’s investors, said two issues must be resolved before the racing commission meets again on Dec. 31. Ladbroke, operator and part-owner of the track, must feel comfortable with the business plan, and the groups must still negotiate on a larger percentage cut from simulcasting revenues for the horsemen.

Under the plan, Ladbroke would provide the facility for free, but will require the non-profit group to accept full responsibility for its operations and marketing. It is a two-year lease arrangement with an option to purchase the race track for $15 million. In exchange, Ladbroke will require the horsemen to gain approval for Ladbroke to conduct simulcasting during the remainder of the year after the live meet.

School district, FMG get tax-increment funds

The city of Shakopee will make a $125,566 payment to FMG Tsumura under a tax-increment disbursement plan to aid developers.

And the Shakopee School District will receive a disbursement of $160,395 from the city of its share of tax increment revenue generated as the result of the district’s excess levy and a payment from the owners of Canterbury Downs…

Dec. 31, 1992

Abandoned property destroyed. Shakopee firefighters were called at 6:41 p.m. Sunday to the old Harold McKenna farm at 2451 McKenna Road and found the abandoned house burning. The property, which is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community was destroyed. Arson is suspected, but Shakopee police said Tuesday that no arrests have been made. Fire departments from Prior Lake and Savage assisted Shakopee firefighters. Ironically, the Shakopee Fire Department was going to burn the property for firefighter training at a later date.

McCann gets county administrator post

Cliff McCann, who has been acting Scott County administrator for a year, was chosen on a unanimous vote by the County Board last Thursday to become the second administrator in the county’s history.

McCann was hired after commissioners conducted oral interviews with three finalists for the positon. The county received 75 applications for the job, which is the top post in Scott County government…

Scott County’s first female commissioner ready to jump into fray

A little history-making will take place Tuesday when three new commissioners take their seats on the Scott County Board. For the first time a woman will take the oath of office as a county commissioner.

Wilma Behm, a chiropractor from Spring Lake Township, waged an active campaign last fall to unseat Commissioner Dallas Bohnsack for the District 1 seat on the County Board…

Remember When: November 2017

Remember When

1892: Shakopee Courier

Nov. 3, 1892

For Rent, 4 rooms. Enqiure of Mrs. Eroux.

Mr. Abel’s new barn is being rushed to completion.

Shakopee has some 8 or 10 new young voters this election.

Nov. 10, 1892

D. Brown has moved out of the rectory into the art gallery.

Election day in Shakopee was quiet. The new ballot worked rather slow, and to those who cannot read, is a pretty complete open ballot.

Nov. 17, 1892

The Minnesota Stove company fishing club give a grand dance next Wednesday night, and all should attend that dance. It will be good.

Six cords of Soft Wood wanted by G. L. Nye of Minnesota Stove company.

Nov. 24, 1892

Just received at the Cash Store some fine brick cheese only 15 cents a pound. Try it.

J. B. Conter on Thursday sold to Mrs. Riehlander the “Old man Grosskopp” farm of 160 acres for $3,200 cash.

Insured against burglars; that is what the 1st National Bank of this city has recently done to amount of $15,000, with Fidelity & Casualty Co. of New York.

Fire! On Monday afternoon the nice little barn of Hubert Marx back of his residence, took fire and some of its contents destroyed, although a portion of the building was saved and left standing. How it caught is a mystery. It was first discovered by Mrs. Henry Deaken who gave the alarm, which was taken up until the cry of fire reached the city hall when the bell was rung. Not only that but Mrs. Deaken rushed into the stable and pulling her apron off, threw it over the head of the scared horse and thus got him out unharmed, but almost smothered with smoke. The family carriage being overlooked was badly scorched, especially the top. But Mrs. Deaken bravely saved the horse. The firemen as usual worked hard for the time being and so kept the flames from spreading; and are again entitled to credit for their resolute action. Anyone that makes fun of a fireman ought to be kicked. The oats were saved, but the hay wasn’t. Loss about $150, no insurance.

Jacob Ries Jr.’s new residence is almost finished and he will move into it soon.

Council bought 500 ft. 3 ply rubber hose Tuesday night at 60 cents a foot. Alderman Hilgers was the only one voting against it, because he said he wanted a better quality of hose; a hose costing 75 cents a foot.

1892: Scott County Argus

Nov. 3, 1892

Mrs. Henschel has moved her millinery store into the Schwartz building directly opposite her former place of business.

Mrs. Thomas Notermann gave birth to a son, Sunday Oct. 30th, of extraordinary size; its weight being fifteen and a half pounds, length twenty-three inches.

Mr. J. Schank was out through Cedar Lake three days of last week buying hogs, sheep, veal calves, chickens, etc., for the packing house. He met with good success.

Mr. Schank is entitled to much credit for establishing the first general live stock market in the country. It is a good thing for the farmers and also for Shakopee. Farmers will have a market where they can sell at the very highest cash price and in any quantity. To sell they will necessarily come to town, and our merchants will obtain more or less trade that doesn’t always come here.

Nov. 10, 1892

W. W. Brown, who has been working in the Shakopee Mill for the past three months, left Tuesday for Minneapolis, where he will work in one of the large mills.

Mr. Mat. Berens, jr. purchased an elegant upright piano last week.

Thomas O’Dowd, has returned to work in the cooper shop after an absence of nearly two years.

Ferdinand Gross has lately purchased a barbers outfit and is doing business for himself in Minneapolis.

Nov. 17, 1892

John Gutenberg was in St. Paul Monday and brought home with him some choice venison for his meat market.

J. B. Conter today sold to Peter Pink the Henry Groskopp farm of 160 acres for $3,500.

Nov. 24, 1892

Farm for sale. My farm of seventy acres east of town known as the Mrs. Haas farm. Thomas Pinches.

August Scherkenbach’s boy Will fell last Thursday while playing at school and broke his left arm about an inch above the wrist. Dr. Sabin reduced the fracture and the boy will soon be ready for another game of pullaway.

Ferdinand Gross disposed of his newly purchased barber shop in Minneapolis last week and returned to Shakopee. He has entered into partnership with his father.

1917: Scott County Argus

Nov. 2, 1917

Eagle Creek. Frank Dellwo of Shakopee has completed the garage and chicken coop on the Duffy farm.

Stove Company’s Offices to Move. The news that the office of the Minnesota Stove Company will be removed to Minneapolis within a few days has been learned with regret, as it means the departure of the entire office force for that city and the removal of Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Nye to St. Paul to reside. The move is deemed necessary for the best interests of the business and has been under consideration for some time, a branch office having been conducted there for two years past under the personal supervision of C. W. Nye, secretary of the company. The new office will be established in the First National-Soo building.

Jos. Rademacher departed yesterday for Chicago where he will spend a day or two with his brother Frank and then go to Cleveland, Ohio, to work at his trade as a printer. Good luck, Joe.

Youth Apprehended for Stealing Valuables

Clyde Stewart, a well dressed youth of nineteen years, who claims his home is in Nebraska, was arrested Saturday by Chief of Police J. B. Heller, charged with stealing a watch at the Martin Lenzmeier home, where he was given a meal.

Stewart was apprehended at the St. Paul hotel with the watch in his possession. Two suit cases belonging to him, which had been left at the depot, were found to contain a quantity of jewelry and shoes. He was arraigned in municipal court, before Judge Weiland, Monday, and held to the district court on a charge of grand larceny in the second degree, but later pled guilty and made application for sentence, which had not been imposed at this writing.

Nov. 9, 1917

Food Conservation Movement Started. St. Mary’s Catholic church and the Presbyterian church started the ball rolling in the food conservation movement locally with the distribution of food cards to their respective congregations Sunday…

Narrow Escape In Auto Accident. Jos. G. Ries had a narrow escape from death Friday morning, when his automobile was struck and demolished by the local west-bound freight on the Milwaukee road, at the crossing near the former brickyard in East Shakopee…

Barn Burned on Max Vogel Farm. Fire of unknown origin Monday afternoon destroyed the barn on the Vogel farm south of town which is occupied by Max Vogel.

Joseph Latour has purchased Mrs. H. J. Peck’s cottage south of Alois Hirscher’s residence, the consideration being $1150.

The post office building was bid in by the mortgagee, John Reagen of St. Paul, at the sheriff’s sale Saturday at the court house.

Mrs. M. Huss and son Peter visited over Sunday with Leo Huss at Camp Dodge and found the Shakopee boys now stationed there comfortably situated and enjoying the life. Leo Huss expects to return on two days’ furlough in a couple of weeks.

Nov. 16, 1917

Mrs. P. C. Schmitz is one of the most diligent knitters of the Red Cross, in three weeks having completed three mufflers, a pair of wristlets and a sweater.

Those who have yarn for several weeks and have been unable to finish knitted garments are requested to complete them speedily for shipment with the next consignment. If it is found impossible to do the work please return it unfinished and the more experienced knitters will finish the garments, as they are needed now.

Eagle Creek. While Anton Wessel’s engine and lumber sawing outfit were being piloted over the bridge near the Jasper home, the planks gave way, which necessitated the laying of a new platform. Fortunately the engineer escaped without serious injury.

Nov. 23, 1917

Shakopee Trade Rapidly Increasing. We are told that Shakopee has never enjoyed such trade as it has during the past few weeks, and every day it is increasing. The fact of the matter is, our business men have got right down to business and are selling goods cheaper than they can be bought in any town of the size in the state, and the people are fast to find it out and are coming here from adjoining counties to do their heavy trading.

The Thief Escaped. A tub of butter, one of a dozen left standing on the platform of the Omaha freight depot, was stolen Wednesday night of last week and was later recovered by Chief of Police J. B. Heller in the vicinity of the old lime-kiln in West Shakopee. About ten pounds of the butter was missing but there no clue to the thief.

Mrs. J. J. Doody sold two lots of her city property this week to John Kaup of Eagle Creek. The price paid was $500. Mr. Kaup expects to erect a building on the lots next spring and will retire from farming and move to Shakopee to reside.

Mrs. E. Dreschsler sold her residence property on Third street Tuesday to Wm. Unze, the consideration being $2600. Mrs. Dreschsler will move to St. Paul to make her home with her son Mr. H. Dreschsler.

Nov. 30, 1917

Miss Helen Huth has resigned as pianist at the Gem theatre and leaves Sunday to begin teaching in District No. 14 at Prior Lake.

W. F. Duffy has purchased of L. D. Nye his residence property located on Fourth street, and will move into the same in the very near future.

The High School Short Course

The Winter Short Course will begin on December 10th, at the Shakopee High School.

There are a great many young men and women and, also, boys and girls, who are not now attending school in this county. As winter comes on, the work on the farm lets up a little so that many of these young people can take this opportunity to spend a few hours each day in reading and study.

This short course offers work in agriculture, sewing, cooking, manual training, English and arithmetic. These classes are especially for short course students.

A great many should try to attend this course for a few weeks. It gives an excellent opportunity to not only attend classes, but to read the many god books and magazines in the library.

Superintendent Davies or Professor Smith will gladly explain more about the course to those interested.

1942: Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Nov. 5, 1942

Wreckers Start Work on Bridge. Initial steps in the wrecking of the Lewis Street bridge over the Minnesota river here, were taken Tuesday when employees of the Trudeau Trucking company, Minneapolis, began removing the heavy wooden railings that stretch along both sides of the structure…

Burglars Get $23,778.20 in County Raid

Loot totaling $23,778.20 in county funds, most of which was in checks, warrants and certificates of deposit, was obtained in a burglary of the Scott county treasurer’s office here early Monday.

According to Elden Rowe, chief of the State Department of Criminal Apprehension, the job was the work of professionals. Joseph T. Langlais, state public examiner, who made an audit of the treasurer’s records following discovery of the burglary, announced the following losses:

$1667—Cash;
$5450—State Warrants;
$11,000—Checks;
$1776—Food Stamps;$3885.20—Certificates of Deposit, all of which he said, is covered by insurance…

Nov. 12, 1942

To Be Physically Fit Important

Shakopee is fortunate to be included among thousands of other communities throughout the country in the nationwide physical fitness and recreation program…

W. H. Sanford, local director of Physical Fitness, is now getting the organization of the program under way. It is a big job and any voluntary aid and assistance will be appreciated. An outline of the program will appear in this paper next week. Watch for it. In the meantime, make up your mind that Y-O-U are going to be participating in some way in the program of “Doing Your Bit To Be Physically Fit!”

Shakopee Man Sets Record for Red Cross Knitting

A challenge to nimble-fingered women, and men, too for that matter, is the record of a 77-year-old Shakopee man who has become one of Scott county’s expert knitters.

The man is Fred Spindler, who in the past 15 months, has completed for the Red Cross 42 pairs of socks, 11 pairs of mittens, three 72-inch scarfs, and five helmets.

There, ladies and gentlemen, is something to shoot at, say Red Cross officials, who released the information regarding Mr. Spindler.

Nov. 19, 1942

Shakopee To Have Test Black Out December 14. Shakopee, like hundreds of other communities in the states comprising the Seventh Army Corps Area, will experience its first black-out December 14, according to an official announcement passed on to local air raid wardens here Monday night.

Fire Threatened Entire Kienzle-Merrick Plant

Fire of unknown origin threatened destruction of the Kienzle and Merrick plant here Saturday afternoon. According to C. D. Pruden, president and manager of the firm, it was only the prompt and efficient work of the Shakopee Fire department that saved the plant and its vast contents of tools and materials.

Workmen discovered the blaze, shooting flames fifty feet skyward, atop the plant where shavings from the adjoining Page and Hill shop, were stored for use in packing. Below the fire was a large stock of kiln dried gum wood destined for use in the construction of army beds.

Much of the lumber stock, severely damaged by water, it is believed, may be disqualified for use in the beds. Damage to the roof and storage bin, although extensive, was greatly limited by the excellent work of plant employees and fireman, Pruden said.

Nov. 26, 1942

Yule Street Trim To Be Omitted This Season

Complying with the urgent request of the War Production Board to curtail holiday street lighting and decorations, the Shakopee city council has taken the necessary action. Result—there will be no Christmas decorations in the city this season. The curtailing action is in conformity with the national war effort to conserve man power, materials and electricity, city spokesmen said.

Although the WPB has ruled out exterior street lighting it has not place a ban on store and home lumination for the holiday season, authorities said.

County Test Blackout Due December 7th

A county-wide test blackout, in preparation for the area blackout of several states ordered by military authorities for December 14, has been scheduled for Monday, December 7, Herb Strait, chief county air raid warden announced Tuesday.

According to Strait, the county blackout is to start at exactly 10 p.m. and continue for 20 minutes, ending at 10:20. Sirens and whistles throughout the county will signal the “alert” at which time all lights are to be extinguished simultaneously. After the lapse of 20 minutes the sirens will signal the “all clear” and lights may again be turned on.

During the blackout all air raid wardens are to patrol their respective districts, checking infractions of the blackout order; civilians are to remain inside; all motor traffic, except police and fire vehicles are to “freeze” and remain motionless for the blackout period, authorities said.

All lights in residences, public buildings, churches, schools, hospitals, advertising signs, and industrial plants, with the exception of defense industries where only the yard lights will be affected, are to be extinguished during the test. Street lights will likewise be out.

From the police department comes the advice that each business house and residence must assume responsibility for protection of their property during the blackout. The officers suggest that each business man arrange to have some responsible person in charge of the place…

Doctors’ cars and ambulances may be need in emergency and the same applies to fire fighting equipment. In case of fire use the telephone; in case of accidents telephone the police or call a physician; do not telephone unless absolutely necessary and if you do, give your name, address and telephone number.

All dogs must be kept indoors or on a leash during the period of the air raid warning.

For the Shakopee community the siren signals will eminate from the city hall fire siren, the Rahr Malting company and the Shakopee NYA center. Other communities will be similarly warned by the warning equipment available in the respective localities.

1967: Shakopee Valley News

Nov. 2, 1967

Beauty Shop Offers ‘Talking Letter’ Service. Mary Louise’s Beauty Shop, First and Fuller, will sponsor “talking letters” to servicemen in Vietnam and other points overseas, according to Claude Sinnen. Use of the tape recording machine and postage will be provided free of charge by the Beauty Shop as a public service during the coming Christmas season. Tape must be furnished by the person making the “talking letter.” For further information contact Mary Louise’s Beauty Shop, 445-1426.

City To Present ‘Challenge’ Plan To Present Area Hwy Proposals

To be challenged by the City of Shakopee is the State Highway Department engineer’s report that the westerly Highway 169 bridge location to span the Minnesota river, as compared to the city’s plan for a bridge at the east edge of the city, is most feasible on a cost basis, as well as the State Highway’s plan for accommodating Highway 101 traffic from the north which would still have to travel downtown Shakopee presenting the “nuisance” of heavy truck traffic, along with the necessary inconvenience to the Highway 101 motorist.

In addition, getting strong support from the City of Shakopee, along with Midwest Planning who completed the Comprehensive Guide Plan for the City, as well as from officials of adjacent townships and Scott county commissioners is the proposal of a by-pass route to skirt the south edge of the city that would extend from the former site of the old Murphy House to possibly Highway 41 and offer access not only to Valley Industrial Park but also to other communities of the northern section of Scott county. This appears also have the support of these affected communities in northern Scott county…

Awards Bid On ‘67 Improvement Program To Include Levee Drive, Off-Street Parking Facilities

Awarded to Alexander Construction Co. which had the low bid of approximately $220,000 among six bidders, was the contract for the 1967 Improvement program of the City of Shakopee to include the construction of Levee Drive, off-street parking lots in the downtown central business district, as well as other segments of streets in the city and alley paving in the downtown area.

This was action taken at a meeting of the Common Council of the City of Shakopee held last Thursday evening, October 27, on the call of the mayor.

The bid included construction of the proposed Improvement program, with the exception of the proposed parking lot at the old mill site to the rear of the Montgomery-Ward off Lewis Street and improvement of the railroad right-of-way at the former Simons Lumber yard on Second Avenue, between Holmes and Lewis.

Work is to begin immediately on the storm sewer construction along the Levee Drive, to be from Atwood to Sommerville, alongside the South bluff of the Minnesota River. Also to be completed this fall is the grading necessary for this Levee Drive construction.

Expected to be under way early this coming spring is the construction and paving of off-street parking lots in the central business district.

Sites for these off-street parking lots include:

The former Simons Lumber yard on Second Avenue between Holmes and Lewis, with the exception of the railroad right-of-way.

The area opposite Berens Super-Fair and to Scott County Lumber at Second and Fuller.

The area adjacent to the Pelham Hotel and opposite Bill’s Toggery at Second and Lewis.

The half-block at the rear of the Shakopee City Hall on East First.

The half-block behind Brambilla Motors, Inc. on west first.

The parking strips at St. Francis Hospital on Scott Street.

Also included will be the paving of alleys in the commercial district, and other street segment improvements at various locations in the City.

The council went on record last Thursday evening of including two sets of stop and go lights, one west of Holmes and the other east of Holmes at an estimated cost of $40,000…

Nov. 9, 1967

Open Auction Firm On Lewis. Rodney Hopp and Bob Vedders have announced that plans are completed for the opening of the Shakopee Discount Auction House, located at 128 Northwest, behind Montgomery-Ward.

‘Egg On Face’ – Hospital Trick Turns To Treat

The Shakopee Police department brought in some pranksters, who were “tricking and treating,” to St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee on Halloween evening.

The pranksters had in their possession several dozen eggs, which the boys indicated they wished to “donate” decoratively to the hospital.

No doubt the former owner of the eggs would be heartened to know that they were put to good use.

Also it would possibly make the former owner not so downhearted, if it is made known that an entry was made on the books of the hospital for the value of the eggs as a donation.

Another notation in order would be “someone’s trick turned out to be hospital patients’ treat!”

Nov. 16, 1967

Co-operate To Further Old Grist Mill Project. Further impetus to the project of the Scott County Historical Society’s proposed project of restoration of the Old Grist mill in Memorial Park, east edge of Shakopee including the furnishing of the interior, to make a lasting Historical museum for the area and visiting public resulted Monday night of this week, November 13, when the Shakopee Public School District No. 720 granted a week’s leave of absence to Mrs. Margaret McFarlane, high school art teacher, in order that she complete a comprehensive plan of the authenticated restoration in order to qualify for a possible $5,000 grant from the Stans Foundation…

Act On Marystown Consolidation

Approved by the Commissioner of Education of the State of Minnesota is a consolidation plat for the joining of Shakopee Public School District No. 720 and Marystown Common School District No. 1875.

This was announced by Superintendent John Feda at the regular November meeting of the Shakopee District No. 720 Board of Education which unanimously voted Monday evening of this week the approval of the plat as submitted…

The move for consolidation is in compliance with the recent State of Minnesota statute that provides a school district can no longer continue if it is not including grades one through 12, after a deadline date of July 1971.

The Marystown school district has an enrollment of 100 pupils, with the first and second grades considered a public school and the third through eighth grade operated as a parochial. In reality, the first and second grades are to be affected by the consolidation move, as the Marystown Church has plans for continuing a parochial school.

Council Approves $229,600 Public Utilities Facility Project

Location and the approval of the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission entering into a $229,600 construction contract for a new facility to include offices, warehouse and a garage to be located on the Fourth Street ball diamond, Fourth and Naumkeag, was authorized by the Common Council of the City of Shakopee at its regular meeting Tuesday night of this week, November 14…

Entering into the proposed project is the proposal of aligning Scott County Road No. 17 with Naumkeag Street to eliminate the bend at this location.

At the meeting Tuesday night, City Engineer Don Eichers presented the proposal that moves the county road to the west across the Fourth Avenue baseball diamond park land with the proposed Utilities building to front on Fourth Avenue for 150 feet and for 200 feet on Scott County Road 17. It will be 120 feet to the south and parallel Fourth Avenue.

The west side of the Utilities’ structure will be 20 feet from the existing barn on the adjacent property permitting a driveway around the proposed Utilities facility…

Nov. 23, 1967

Gaylen Case new Community Credit manager. Appointment of Gaylen Case as manager of Community Credit’s Shakopee office was announced recently by C. A. Rollwagen, the firm’s President.

School Consolidation Petition Circulated

Being circulated in the Marystown School District No. 1875 this week was a petition that seeks a special election on the proposition of the proposed consolidation with the Shakopee Public School District No. 720…

The Marystown district needs signatures of 25 per cent of the freeholders in the district on the petition to call the special election, with the date to be determined once the petition is completed.

The move for consolidation is in compliance with the recent State of Minnesota statute that provides a school district can no longer continue if it is not including grades on through 12 after a deadline date of July 1971. The Marystown school district operates the first and second grades as a public school and the third through eighth as parochial. The Marystown St. Mary Of The Purification Catholic Church plans to continue the operation of a parochial school.

Nov. 30, 1967

Yule decorations went up this week in the Shakopee downtown area and along First Street and adjacent blocks with the Shakopee Utilities crew on the job. New touches added this year to the Chamber of Commerce decorations, according to Executive Secretary Dr. W. Adair Muralt, are 18 by 30-inch plastic lines added to the former plain lamp-type pole decorations for more reflections and the post garlands are to be highlighted for the first time this Christmas season with acorn-type lights. The Shakopee Chamber of Commerce traditional Christmas party for area youth is to be on Saturday, December 16, at the Shakopee Public High School Gymnasium on Tenth Avenue, with two movie showings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Details are to be announced in next week’s issue of The Valley News. Also again planned this season is the lighted Christmas tree at the corner of First and Holmes.

Consolidation Vote Dec. 12. Election date on approval of the consolidation plat, as approved by the State Commissioner of Education, for the proposed consolidation of the Marystown District No. 1875 with Shakopee Public School District No. 720 has been set for Tuesday, December 12. Legal notice of this election appears in this issue of The Shakopee Valley News…

Valley Industrial Park Development Plan Told. New plans for the Valley Industrial Park on Highway 101, just east of Shakopee, were presented by Jerome Bylund, general manager of the Valley Industrial Park, at the meeting of the Shakopee Rotary Club Tuesday noon of this week at the Shakopee House Theater Restaurant, east edge of Shakopee…

1992: Shakopee Valley News

Nov. 5, 1992

Federal funds for Ferry Bridge get OK by Congress. The Bloomington Ferry Bridge project received an additional boost in September when a congressional conference committee approved an amendment assuring that $9.5 million will be available for the project in the fiscal year ending in September 1993. The amendment was attached to the Department of Transportation bill approved by Congress on Sept. 28…

Book Lovers’ Club is 90 years old and still going strong

Before there was the Shakopee Public Library, or for that matter, any other social clubs for women in the area, there was the Shakopee Book Lovers’ Club.

When the club first started 90 years ago, it was intended to provide not only a social opportunity for women, but also a chance for them to talk and share knowledge about topics of the times.

Since then, libraries have sprung up all over the area, as well as numerous clubs and organizations.

But the Shakopee Book Lovers’ Club is still in existence, still meeting twice a month from October through May and according to its members, is believed to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, non-federated clubs in existence in the nation.

At an Oct. 22 meeting, the club celebrated its 90th anniversary with a dinner and meeting in the town hall at Murphy’s Landing. Members dressed in a variety of outfits dating back to the early 1900s, including hats, shawls and gloves…

Nov. 12, 1992

Area dance students perform during half-time show. Thirty-eight students of Shari’s Dance Studio in Shakopee performed at the half-time show during the University of Minnesota Gopher’s football game Saturday, Oct. 31 against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Metrodome. Five other dance studio students from Minnesota also performed…

School Board gets growth projections for next 10 years

The annual census and enrollment projection for the Shakopee School District indicates that enrollment is likely to grow by 28 percent over the next 10 years.

Leon McNellis, the district’s technology coordinator, presented a census and enrollment report to the School Board Monday night.

He indicated that the growth projection is based on a mathematical model which uses census and enrollment data from the past five years to help project future trends. This type of model, which is recommended by the state Department of Education, has been used by the district since the early 1970s.

Current enrollment for the district is 2,767 students, an increase of 190 from the 1991-92 school year. Biggest growth areas are in first grade, with 46 additional students; fourth grade, with 41 additional students, and Grade 11, with 33 more students.

According to projections, the district enrollment is expected to be 2,884 in 1993-94, with continual growth shown through the 2002-03 school year, when enrollment is projected to be 3,696.

“These projections are conservative,” said McNellis, noting that the effects of future road and bridge construction, such as the Shakopee Bypass, were not factored in. And, according to city officials’ estimates of building permits, there were 116 single-family and 11 twin-home permits issued from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1992…

Church celebrates 20th anniversary

A special day of celebration was observed at Calvary United Methodist Church of Shakopee Sunday, Oct. 11. It was 20 years ago that this congregation began its Methodist ministry at 750 E. First Ave.

Thirty-seven charter members attended the first service in October 1972. With the growth of the congregation, a fellow-ship/education wing was added to the church in 1979. Continual growth has brought about the reality of a new church building to be located at East Vierling Drive in the not-so-distant future…

Nov. 19, 1992

Battle over 1993 racing at Canterbury continues

Minnesota horsemen groups and the owners of Canterbury Downs continue to battle over the future course of horse racing at the Shakopee track.

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association (MTA) board of directors Nov. 9 voted without opposition to request that track co-owners and operator Ladbroke Racing Corp. be denied a license to simulcast horse racing from other tracks beginning Jan. 1, unless the British bookmaking firm agrees to hold a live racing meet in 1993.

However, Ladbroke contends that it cannot afford to lose another $5 million in 1993 as it did this year, and has indicated it would like to simulcast racing through 1993, and escrow funds to hold a live racing meet in 1994. Ladbroke has lost about $8.3 million at Canterbury since buying it along with two Detroit-area investors in 1990, said track General Manager Terry McWilliams at a horse player’s meeting Saturday…

Nov. 26, 1992

1993 live racing meet at track appears doubtful

Prospects for holding a live racing meet at Canterbury Downs in 1993 appear dim following a Minnesota Racing Commission meeting Nov. 18.

Ladbroke Racing Corp. officials asked commission members to approve its plan to only offer simulcast wagering in 1993. Ladbroke, the track operator and part-owner, would then escrow money for a purse fund to conduct a “high quality” live racing meet in 1994, according to Bob Decker, Ladbroke’s chief financial officer.

Under Ladbroke’s plan, a 45-day live racing meet would be held in 1994. Purses for such a meet could be as high as $85,000 a day, according to Ladbroke General Manager Terry McWilliams. Last summer purses deteriorated to $18,000 a day – an all-time low. Ladbroke said it has lost about $11 million since buying the track in 1990. Indian gaming has largely contributed to its continuing losses, according to racing industry experts.

The 1994 meet would fit into a proposed three-state racing circuit, which would include consecutive racing meets beginning in the spring at Prairie Meadows in Iowa. The summer meet would be held at Canterbury Downs, and a fall meet would be held at the Woodlands in Kansas.

Although horsemen’s groups find the Midwest racing circuit an interesting concept, they are bitterly opposed to the 1993 simulcasting-only plan, and have asked the commission to shut down the Shakopee racetrack on Jan. 1 if Ladbroke will not conduct a live race meet in 1993…

CDC asks city to not bypass improvements in the downtown area

Next year at this time, when the new downtown bypass and Highway 169 river crossing are scheduled to be completed, the bottleneck created by motor vehicles in congested downtown Shakopee is expected to decrease dramatically.

Motorists heading south on Highway 169 will be entering Shakopee one block east of the current bridge’s location. Others will be entering the downtown vicinity from the east or west. For many, those are the locations where they will get a first-impression view of Shakopee.

That’s what worries the city’s Community Development Commission (CDC).

The rear sides of buildings in the vicinity of the old and new bridges have been the subject of many a disparaging remark over the years. And the city is among the property owners whose buildings are in question.

The city is scheduled to be in the new city hall – downtown at the former Marquette Bank building – at the first of the year, and will abandon its current structure.

The new bridge will be built one block east of the existing bridge, on Lewis Street. Also included will be a four-block bypass of the downtown, which is almost constantly choked by car and grain truck traffic.

The project is expected to both increase the traffic capacity on the bridge and reduce the traffic flow in the downtown. Vehicles will have the option of bypassing the downtown.

In March, the City Council discussed the development potential for the area north of First Avenue, specifically the block on which the current City Hall sits. The CDC was asked to prepare an analysis of the various redevelopment options for the City Hall block, and last Thursday night, made a recommendation to City Council members, who were meeting as a committee of the whole.

The CDC examined possibilities ranging from demolishing the structures on the block to doing nothing, and last week recommended that the structures be left standing for the time being. It also made several recommendations for the downtown as a whole, which we part of what was called a “pre-development plan.”

Assistant City Administrator Barry Stock, who worked with the CDC on the analysis, said the CDC concluded that it would be in the city’s best interest to focus on public improvements in the downtown area, in an effort to make it enticing to both motorists and developers.

Among the CDC’s pre-development plan recommendations:

  • Work with the DOT to ensure that structures and the project area are aesthetically appealing…
  • Improve the appearance of buildings facing the mini-bypass…
  • Continue with the second phase of the downtown renovation project on First Avenue.
  • Identify additional parking south of First Avenue.
  • Make aesthetic improvements to “critical entry points” at the bypass…

The Old Drug Store (1857)

Places

by David R. Schleper

On May 28, 1857, David Lennox How arrived in Shakopee by riverboat from Alden, Michigan via Chicago, and opened the Old Drug Store. It was a three-story building on the north side of First Avenue, between Lewis and Holmes streets. The first owners were David Lennox How and D.W. C. Wisner.

D. L. How & Bro. Ad

David continued in the business until 1870, when he sold out to Edward G. Halle and Charles H. Lord. D.W.C. Wisner retired in 1858 and sold his part of the enterprise to Dr. J.S. Weiser, who held it until he was killed in action in the Civil War in 1861.

(Below is D. L. How)

D. L. How

The Old Drug Store operated in the frontier community in which Dakota Indians performed dances on the main street and frequently peeked into the windows of the white settlers’ homes. Bears, deer, and other wild animals were plentiful and roamed within a short distance of the city limits in the 1850s and 1860s.

The Strunks operated the store since 1874. Herman H. Strunk came to Shakopee in 1854 from St. Louis, Missouri, where he was working as a drayman since coming to Germany in 1838. He married Mary Ann Dinklage in St. Louis, and on September 1, 1852 Charles Joseph Strunk, known as Joseph, was born.

(Below is Herman H. Strunk):

Herman H. Strunk

Joseph got into the drug store business on a hot July day in 1866. Herman and Joseph were returning from a fishing trip when they stopped to weigh their catch. They met Arnold Grafenstad, a Shakopee cabinet maker. “I can get your boy a job in the drug store in town if he wants it,” Grafenstad told the elder Strunk.

The 15-year-old Joe Strunk was happy to get away from the family farm, and to earn some money, so soon he was performing small tasks and errands for E.G. Halle, who had purchased David Lennox How’s drug store. Joe, or C.J. Strunk, went on to practice the art of pharmacy for 66 years, until, at his time of death in February 1930, he was the oldest pharmacist in Minnesota. His wife was Mary Gellenbach Strunk.

Old Drug Store

(Below is the Old Drug Store in the 1920s):

Old Drug Store in the 1920s

Herman also followed his son into the drug store business when he bought the City Drug Store on Lewis Street with G.W. Gellenbeck in 1871. Strunk purchased the Old Drug Store in 1874, and moved his stock from the Lewis Street location to main street in Shakopee. The store had been operated continuously by the Strunk family except for a brief time in 1953-1955 until it was closed for good in June of 1977.

An ad in the Argus in the 1870s listed drugs, medicine, white leads, glass, dry and mixed paints, lard, linseed, turpentine, artist materials and many more items. Pills, tinctures, and ointments were made by hand. A large cast iron mortar with heavy cast iron pestles was used.

When C.J. Strunk died in 1930, A.M. Strunk continued the operation until his death in 1938. Then Joe B. and George H. Strunk continued the store. At that time, the third floor was removed and the store remodeled. Strunk Pharmacy remained in this building until 1972, when it moved to a building on Lewis Street between Second and Third avenues. (This is now Pablo’s restaurant.)

In 1957, the Old Drug Store celebrated its 100-year birthday celebration. In the basement they found many interesting files and old records. One was the first recorded prescription, which was issued to F.H. Themes on November 10, 1863, for silver nitrate solution, a prescription for tonsillitis.

A journal of Shakopee’s first doctor, Dr. J.S. Weiser, who was later killed while serving with the Union army, was in the basement. Some of the records included Comfort Barnes, who got box pills for Andrew for 25 cents. John Hinds visited and got advice for his wife for $1.00. Henry Pauly paid $5.00 to have his wife deliver a baby. Comfort Barnes extracted a tooth for Johnny at 50 cents. And George Keyser received medicine and attendance at night for $10.00.

Other finds in the Old Drug Store were part of history, according to the Shakopee Valley News, including:

  • An old map of 1855, showing Minnesota with only 18 counties (it currently has 87).
  • An old, badly damaged still, which was used in compounding drugs years ago, and which was very suspicious of the revenooers in the prohibition era.
  • Two tickets to the 1893 World’s Fair and Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.
  • An ingenious device known as a pill machine, used in the days when the pharmacist had to full their own pills!

In 1879 it was one of only four places in Shakopee that had a telephone.

The Old Drug Store did not have many of the items which a modern drug store had; it did offer a wide variety of goods and services to the customers. A soda fountain was installed in 1870. Prayer books, text books for school, and other items, including paint, were offered.

The Strunk Pharmacy at the Old Drug Store closed after 120 years of service in June of 1977.

(Some information from Shakopee Scrapbook by Michael, Patricia, and Joseph Huber; Strunk Pharmacy to Note 100th Birthday During Year by Argus Tribune, March 7, 1959; Local Pharmacy Oldest in State; Has Been in Business 100 Years by Shakopee Valley News, March 7, 1957; Strunk Pharmacy Ends 120 Years of Service, Shakopee Valley News, June 14, 1977.)

The Wasson House also known as the American Hotel (1853-1912)

Places

By David R. Schleper

The first hotel built in Shakopee was the Wasson House, named after its owner and proprietor, Frank Wasson. It was built in 1853 by Barney Young. The hotel was built in the days when steamboats and stagecoaches furnished all transportation to its hospitable portals, and whose solid timbers were brought to Shakopee by steamers plying up and down the Minnesota River between the village of St. Paul and Shakopee.

The Wasson House was a favorite stopping place for traders and travelers, and was headquarters for the boatmen when their boats were tied up at the levee below, waiting to unload freight and take aboard fresh cargo of the spoils of the pioneers. The Wasson House was built when the country was a wilderness and the Dakota were neighbors.

The big frame building was a prominent stage house and hostelry in the pioneer days. By 1854, the Wasson House was a fixture, one of only six buildings in Shakopee (other than the tipi tanka of the Dakota). During the next few years the boom changed things so rapidly that there was quite a town in Shakopee, but back in 1853, when the Wasson House was erected, there was naught but wilderness, a stage road, and the river steamboats being the only connection links with white civilization.

A year or so later, William Sherrerd purchased the hotel and conducted the hotel under that name of the American Hotel, which it is best known. It became the social center for the settlement, with many a hospitable gathering and social revel for the sturdy pioneers.

As the years passed the hotel changed hands a number of times, finally falling into disuse as a public house, and eventually half of it was removed, reducing it to the proportions of a dwelling house for which it had been used for many years.

Gertrude Berens had lived there for many years before Fred Gollmeier bought it in 1911. He lived there with his family, as well as William Wandschneider and his family.

On Sunday night, March 15, 1912, at 7 p.m., the once famous Wasson House, which had crowned the river bank above the steamboat landing for 59 years, caught fire from a defected flue, and in a couple of hours the north half was razed and the left side was standing, a charred and blackened skeleton.

Neighbors saw the blaze and gave the alarm, and the fire bell and the fire whistle brought out half the town to witness the spectacular fire. The fire department had a line of hoses running from the hydrant to the corner of Lewis and First Street in short order, but there was no water. So people thought that the hydrant was frozen, while others say it was not properly opened. It took more than half an hour after the fire started before a line of hose was run to the power house and the pump called upon to take the place of the standpipe. By that time, the fire had consumed the roof and upper floors, and the deluge of water simply held the flames from preventing other property to be up in flames.

During the long wait for water, the firemen and bystanders managed to save much of the furniture downstairs. They even carried out two Coral ranges. Both families suffered the loss of practically all of their clothing and a number of pieces of furniture which could not be removed from the sleeping rooms upstairs.

The Wasson House/American Hotel has found shelter and refreshment from statesmen, lawyers, and governors, as well as regular people of Minnesota. The old landmark is no more.

(Some information from “Old Landmark Prey to Flames,” The Shakopee Tribune, March 22, 1912.)

Remember When: October 2017

Remember When

1892 Shakopee Courier

Oct. 6, 1892

Mr. Callum has moved from the Titus house to a house up above the depot.

Mrs. Wm. Pinger has come back to Shakopee to live after living in St. Paul for a few years.

The Receiver of the property of the Russ Jones desk company, has taken possession of the machinery they brought over here.

Mrs. Henschel has opened up her stock of confectionary and fruit, and all the little fellows are going there to get a big lot for their nickel.

Two boys, Henry Cargill and Otto Kochlin are under arrest for burglarizing Marx’s saloon; they cases to be decided this afternoon as to whether they should be held to the grand jury, or discharged.

John Theis’ tomato trees, mentioned by us some weeks ago, not being injured by frost—we didn’t have any—were loaded down with the biggest kind of tomatoes, some of which we received from him lately. They have been noticed in several of the agricultural papers, since the description given in the Courier.

Oct. 13, 1892

The Shakopee Co-operative Barrel Company has employed four new men to help furnish barrels for the Mill Co.

The bridge across the creek to the trestle is now completed.

The Wampach Manufacturing Co. shipped three laundry wagons and five delivery wagons to Minneapolis last week.

Oct. 20, 1892

Casper Scott has lately stocked up with a fine lot of new boots and shoes, for gents and ladies, of the best makes, at rock bottom prices.

A Valuable Machine.—Gregory Hattenberger of Eagle Creek, on Monday last received from Illinois a “combined corn husker and fodder cutter,” something new around here. His sons will have charge of it through the country wherever engaged. It separates the corn from the stalk, throwing the corn into the wagon box on one side, and the fodder cut up, ready to feed on the other side of the machine. Farmers using this combined cutter, can feed the whole of their fodder now, a great saving.

Herman Covnick has taken the place vacated by Wm. Dols as assistant of the Milwaukee office.

Fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the barn of William Heidenreich and extended to those of Peter Radermacher and Peter Mergens on the block between Holmes and Fuller. They were entirely destroyed, a big wind blowing from the west making it a very dangerous conflagration, but owing to the determined action of our fire department the farther spread of the flames was prevented in this locality. But the high wind carried with it big sparks over two blocks east on to August Abel’s stable on Sommerville street, so that we had two fires going at the same time. Abel’s stable was destroyed but Derberger’s, which had also caught from this last fire, was saved. The firemen worked hard, and we may consider it a very lucky event that more valuable buildings and property were not burned, considering the wind. As it was, more or less serious loss was sustained in hay and feed etc. Word was sent to Chaska and St. Paul by Mayor Weiland, but was countermanded soon thereafter.

When the chimney sweep blows his morning horn, it remindeth people that they should have their chimneys cleaned. Great conflagrations may be prevented by so doing.

Oct. 27, 1892

Miss Lottie Farncamp has come to Shakopee to reside. She will occupy her cottage on the hill below O. S. Brown’s place.

Mrs. Titus has rented her house to Joe Bierline.

Flags over city hall, postoffice and bank at half mast on Tuesday account of death of Mrs. Harrison.

The Occidental hotel has enlarged their dining room, putting in a hardwood floor, and otherwise repairing up.

1892: Scott County Argus

Oct. 6, 1892

On Monday August Grosskopp tried to stop the cylinder of a separator with the first finger of his left hand. Dr. Smith trimmed down the rough edges of the finger.

Chas. Smith has moved into the Heidenreich building on Second street.

J. A. Dean has moved in the Juergens house on Second street lately vacated by Paul Fischer.

Oct. 13, 1892

Geo. Huber shot three large geese at one shot in Dean’s lake last Friday, the largest weighing twelve pounds.

Judge Cadwell has rendered a decision in the Russ Jones Desk Co. case against the city in favor of the city. By the decision the city saves the $3,000 bonus which was deposited in the bank, and secure a lead on the building for the $3,000 which had been paid over to the company to purchase the building. So by the transaction the city is a loser of only some machinery, engine and the expense of the suit. The city will probably sue the assignee of the company to recover the machinery and engine which originally belonged to the plant, and was removed from the building to Minneapolis.

Oct. 20, 1892

Joe. Buch is now employed in the mill.

Farm for sale. My farm of seventy acres east of town known as the Mrs. Haas farm. Thomas Pinches.

Oct. 27, 1892

August Abel is building a new brick barn, 19×28, on the street and alley corner, back of his house.

One thing must be insisted on in Shakopee in the future. That no building of any sort, size or description be allowed built of boards within the fire limits, whether covered with sheetiron or not. Build of stone or brick only.

Two gentlemen of the road who gave their names as Thomas Hyland and August Schultz, went through August Abel’s tailor shop last Friday and took a pair of pantaloons. The same day they broke into the Conter House and took several articles of clothing belonging to John Merten. A search warrant was sworn out by Mr. Abel and the parties were found at Ring’s hotel with some of the articles in their possession. They told Police Officer Rose where they had hid the rest, so all lost articles were recovered. They had their hearing before Justice Stevens Monday, and will board with landlord Hilgers until the Grand Jury meets.

1917: Shakopee Tribune

Oct. 5, 1917

Gem Theatre Sold. A deal was closed on Monday whereby Mr. Frank Veigel who has conducted the Gem Theatre the past year sold the same to Mr. W. A. Shelton of Williston, N. D. The new proprietor took possession the same day. We are glad to know that Mr. Veigel and family expect to remain here at least during the winter months.

The Schroeder brickyards are a busy place this time of the year a kiln of 500,000 brick being burned this week.

Oct. 12, 1917

The George Diederich family of Marystown moved on Saturday into the Niedenfuehr house, which Mr. Diederich bought last spring.

The John Sames family moved to their farm in Eagle Creek on Monday. The home they vacated is being occupied by the Carlton family.

The First National Bank has just installed a very unique and valuable feature as a window display.

This consists of a Weekly Map Window Service showing interesting Maps and Illustrations. They advise us that these Maps will show the leading events of whatever part of the world happens to be in the limelight. Just now, of course, the big interest is in Europe; so these Maps will show the battle front in Europe; just where our American boys will be; together with pictures of interest in connection with same.

These Maps will be changed weekly, and will show geographically the progress of armies and other events of world interest. Special attention is going to be given to the showing of the location of our American boys in France.

The Bank decided that after the Maps have had their turn in the window, they will present them to the local high school, making a most valuable educational feature for the school.

Oct. 19, 1917

Dies On Train. The body of an elderly unidentified man was taken from Omaha passenger train No. 3 on Thursday morning. Passengers had heard him moan and upon investigation found he was dead. Coroner Reiter was called and had the body removed to Hirscher’s undertaking parlors. A letter found in one of his pockets was addressed to William A. Brown, the postmark being Evanston, Ill. A card was also found showing that he had money on deposit in a bank at Eagle River, Wis. His destination according to the railroad ticket was Fenton, Ia. Coroner Reiter is awaiting a reply to a telegram sent to Evanston as to the disposal of the body.

For Sale—My modern seven room house on Lewis street. Bath, electric lights, hot water heat, hardwood thruout; fine garage. Small amount of cash will handle. Inquire of L. D. Nye or at the office of the Minnesota Stove Co.

The Fourth Annual Corn Show will be held at the Shakopee High School, Saturday, November 10. Now is the time to start saving your good ears of corn. There are rumors that there will be another carnival that night. We hope it will be as good as the one last year when everyone had the time of their lives.

The mill was shut down the first two days of the week according to the new government ruling, limiting the number of bushels of wheat to be used, weekly.

Willie Gross had the misfortune to fall while playing near the bridge last Saturday and as the result is carrying his left arm in a sling, having suffered a severe fracture.

Mr. Swanson of Casselton, N. D., arrived here on Tuesday and is the new miller at the local mill. His family is expected here soon. They will occupy the Riggs house on First street.

1917: Scott County Argus

Oct. 5, 1917

Michael Hergott, who bought the former Quigley place, moved into town Wednesday.

Miss Isabel Strunk has accepted a position in the mill office and began work there Monday.

Hirscher Bros. have purchased a new Studebaker truck for use in their furniture and undertaking business, and will build a handsome hearse that may be used with the truck as an auto hearse. The firm is known all over the state—and further—for their expert cabinet work and it is safe to say that the hearse, when completed, will be a handsome vehicle and the equal in appearance of any auto hearse owned hereabouts.

New Rye Mill Construction is Now Going Forward. Shane Bros. & Wilson company’s three story rye and meal mill is rapidly assuming proportions. When the structure shall have been completed and the machinery installed Shakopee will have the most modern and up-to-date rye and meal mill in this part of the state. The machinery will be operated by electric power. Score one more for Shakopee’s progress in the manufacturing line.

Oct. 12, 1917

Mrs. A. J. Munro and son Angus left Tuesday to join Mr. Munro in their new home in Cedar Rapids. Shakopee friends are sorry to lose them but wish them every success.

Fred Reimer, residing north of town, has purchased Rudolph Selbig’s residence property and will move to Shakopee next month. Lee Schaefer and family, who will vacate the Reimer residence, will move to the home vacated by A. J. Munro.

Oct. 19, 1917

Harry Broekhuizen has rented the Reis building on First street and will move his shoe repairing shop there about the last of this month.

Fish as Food

The Bureau of Fisheries at Washington is giving a series of demonstrations in the cooking, smoking, drying and salting of fish through this state and have made arrangements for a lecture and demonstration for Shakopee at the High School next Monday afternoon.

All persons interested are asked to be present.

Oct. 26, 1917

County Fuel Administrators Appointed. John Thiem, cashier of the First National Bank, has been appointed by Judge John F. McGee, federal fuel administrator for Minnesota, chairman of a committee of fuel administrators for Scott county. Associated with Mr. Thiem on the committee are J. S. Effertz of Belle Plaine, A. M. Schaefer of Jordan and Michael Schreiner of New Prague…

The L. Schaefer family have moved into the home recently vacated by A. J. Munro.

Shakopee Team Wins First Place

Last Friday a county canning contest was held at the Belle Plaine fair. Miss Baker, of the Extension Division of the State University, conducted the contest, in which Belle Plaine, Jordan, New Prague and Shakopee were each represented by a team. As a team Shakopee won first place, Belle Plaine second, Jordan third and New Prague fourth. Jordan carried off the first and second prizes for the best individual canning exhibit, New Prague taking third place. Money prizes were offered for both team work and individual exhibits. Shakopee was represented by Marguerite Schaefer, Mabel Raatz, Margaret Lies and Lilian Newgard.

The girls of the various teams were not the only ones who receive the benefit of the contest. A large number of ladies profited by the demonstrations, lectures and exhibits so nicely prepared along lines of the use and conservation of food. The educational features of the Belle Plaine fair were certainly well planned and executed, and without a doubt will leave lasting results.

1942: Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Oct. 1, 1942

Official Inspects County Plane Spotting Service

Inspection of the 13 aircraft observation posts in Scott county was completed Tuesday by Lieut. Gobel of the Minnesota State Gerard, state supervisor and organizer of the state’s aircraft spotting service.

Lieut. Gobel was accompanied on his four-day tour by W. B. Schroeder, county director, who set up the county organization. The lieutenant was well satisfied with the county organization and pronounced it a “splendid job…”

Shakopee Air Raid Wardens First Aid Started This Week

Nearly 100 of the men selected as air raid wardens for the City of Shakopee began their qualifying course in first aid at the high school auditorium, Monday night.

The first aid course, which must be successfully passed by all men serving as wardens, is to be given under the leadership of Dr. F. H. Buck, Dr. B. F. Pearson and Ray C. Schroeder…

Oct. 8, 1942

Court House Cardiograph. If two unidentified hunters who borrowed a tractor on the Clarence Marshall farm north of Shakopee Sunday night , knew what nearly happened to them, they wouldn’t try that trick again. It seems, according to the sheriff’s office who was called for assistance Marshall was aroused by the sound of his tractor some distance from his house. Suspecting theft he grabbed his gun and made for the scene. In the meantime Mrs. Marshall called Sheriff Wermerskirchen, although it was out of his territory. He took the old Indian road and there met Mr. Marshall, who advised that everything was OK. Apparently two hunters, whose car had become mired, borrowed the tractor to free the car and then drove away. They were just plain lucky Marshall didn’t see them driving the tractor down the road.

Shak-O-Hi News

Youthful Victory Aides from the high school filled the school buses and were off to husk Mr. Huss’ corn Friday morning. The husking bee was just a little tribute to Mr. Huss’ fine cooperation in helping put the lunch project across. He donated the land for the school garden, plowed it without charge, and donated all the corn that the cooks could can.

Work gangs of happy boys and girls were ready when school opened–boys in overalls, girls in slacks and hair bound up in turbans. Under the supervision of Mr. Metcalf and Mr. Maloney, 18 rows, ¾ of a mile long, were harvested.

While one group worked in the field, those in school remained at their usual task, shelling out an extra grain or two of knowledge. “It is more fun working to help someone than it is to work for money,” was the conclusion of one youth.

Oct. 15, 1942

Shakopee Branch County Defense Council Formed. At a meeting called at the City hall last Saturday evening by Chm. Berg of the County Civilian Defense Council, Shakopee’s defense council was organized by electing Mayor J. J. Cavanuagh, chairman; Miss Elizabeth K. Ries, director of citizen service, and Paul Ries, commander of defense…

Shakopee Has Woman on City Mail Delivery Job

For some months now Shakopee women, like others throughout the nation have been taking their places in the local factories and shops, doing what was always considered a “man’s job.”

Latest addition to the list is a mail-carrier in the person of Dolores Ries, who began her duties in Shakopee Monday morning. Employed as a substitute carrier, Miss Ries is taking the place of John Lynch, who reported for duty in the Naval Reserve Friday…

Watch Your Rifle

Frequent and emphatic complaints about broken windows, shattered light bulbs and slain birds has brought the declaration from R. L. Brown, police chief, that any type of rifle seen in the hands of children within the city limits of Shakopee, will be confiscated.

Chief Brown said his order applied to air rifles and .22’s alike. The list of complaints, he said, is growing daily and he is taking this means of warning rifle-owners that careless use of these guns must stop.

Citizens Favor Scrapping Court House Iron Fence

At a large meeting of representative citizens of Shakopee and vicinity gathered at the public school building Tuesday evening to round out plans for the scrap drive this Thursday afternoon, the question of the advisability of making some disposition of the obsolete and long since antiquated iron fence surrounding the court house yard, incidentally came up on the floor of the meeting.

The consensus of opinion as expressed was that the fence which has done service for more than half a century has long ago outlived its usefulness and should be scrapped. After some brief discussion the meeting by motion went on record as favoring the dismantling of the fence, the County Board to make such disposition of the salvaged material as its members may see fit, was carried by a unanimous vote of those assembled. Of course, there are other sections of the county whose people may be interested in this question, and whose interest should be consulted, but there could be no speculating as to how the group of citizens who voiced their conviction Tuesday evening has felt about the matter.

Oct. 22, 1942

Government Wants 500,000 Standard Typewriters

Due to the fact that typewriter manufacturers have practically converted their factories into defense manufacturing, there are not enough typewriters being made to supply the general needs and the considerable number needed in the army and the navy. Therefore the government is setting up plans for buying used typewriters.

The government wants 500,000 standard machines immediately. But they must be machines which were made after January 1, 1935. They will be bought from civilians at the factory trade-in allowance for such machines as of February 1, 1941.

Dallas F. Capesius has been appointed to handle the typewriter procurement program in Shakopee and vicinity. So that if there should be anyone here who has a typewriter he or she does not need and is willing to dispose of it in the way and manner described, it is suggested that Mr. Capesius be seen about it. His office is located at 120 ½ Shakopee Theatre Bldg., for further particulars.

Albert Czaia Believed Drowned in River Friday

Albert Czaia, for many years a familiar figure in Shakopee, is believed to have drowned in the Minnesota river here Friday afternoon. Searchers working along the river bank north of the Siebenaler ice house in West Shakopee, where Czaia had been fishing, discovered his cane and marks in the mud which indicated he had slipped into the stream.

Firemen dragging the river in the area, had not recovered the body up to Wednesday noon.

The aged man had been a resident of St. Francis home here and had a custom of fishing in the river. When he failed to return to the home early Friday evening, a search was instituted and it was learned he had been last seen on the river bank where his cane was found.

Oct. 29, 1942

Old Bridge To Be Razed for Scrap Metal. What seems to be the death knell for an old Shakopee landmark, which through the years has fostered rich memories of life and living in this Minnesota River town, was sounded at 10 a.m. Monday, October 26, when Deputy United States Marshal Elmer J. Kennedy served, on Mayor J. J. Cavanaugh, a United States Requisition Order claiming the old bridge that spans the Minnesota river at the north end of Lewis street.

Court House Cardiograph. Perhaps spelling “doom” for the iron fence around the court house, came a letter Tuesday morning to County Auditor A. A. Mertz, requesting the board of county commissioners to consider scrapping the rail. The letter pointed out that sentiment in the community apparently favored its removal. It is just a guess, but we’ll bet the commissioners will vote for the removal of the fence. One commissioner said: “If it will hit a Jap or a Nazi I’ll be glad to let the fence go.”

1967: Shakopee Valley News

Oct. 5, 1967

Dedication of the new Shakopee Edward and Grace Sweeney Elementary School, Tenth Avenue and Marystown Road, was held last Sunday, October 1, beginning at 2 p.m., with an open house and tours of the building from 2:45 to 5 p.m…

Evidence of vandalism by shooting was reported this week by Roman Luce whose farm is four miles south of Shakopee on Scott County No. 79 (O’Dowd Lakes Road), just northwest of Marystown. Luce brought in this electric fence charger that had holes, apparently pierced by bullets. He pointed out that “apparently some fun-loving fire-arm bearers had their fun channeled in the wrong direction.” The Scott County Sheriff’s department reported that also this past week was received a complaint of shooting mail boxes on Scott County Road No. 76.

Oct. 12, 1967

600 Tour School. Reported at the regular monthly meeting of the Shakopee Public School District No. 720 Monday evening of this week was that more than 600 attended the Dedication and Open House at the new Sweeney Elementary School on Sunday, October 1.

Break-In At Beverage Firm

Reported to Shakopee police was a break-in some time Wednesday evening of last week, October 4, at Rudy Gmitro Beverage, Inc., 134 South Main.

Entry was gained from the alley side through the basement and then through the warehouse on into the offices of the firm.

Missing were an adding machine and an electric typewriter.

Approval was given the Shakopee Utilities Commission for the letting of bids on the proposed garage and warehouse building, a 200 by 150 foot structure, proposed for the site at Naumkeag and Scott County Road 17.

Sealed bids are to be accepted until 3 p.m. Monday, October 30, by the Utilities Commission at the office in the Shakopee City building…

Pointed out was that the proposed new structure would include a meeting room that could also be used for public gatherings such as the Golden Age club and similar activity.

Oct. 19, 1967

Break-Ins At 3 City Firms Within 4 Days. City of Shakopee had a rash of three break-ins in four days this past week, with some $150 in cash and merchandise taken from Strunk’s Pharmacy on East First, $3,800 in guns from Engel’s Place on East First and an attempt to open the safe at Maus Super-Valu on West First apparently not successful…

87 Free Films Available From Phone Company

Northwestern Bell Telephone Company isn’t in the theater business, but it does have 87 different films available to loan to the public free of charge, W. R. Mahady, Shakopee manager, said this week.

Films cover a variety of subjects, including suggestions on home decorating, national defense, telephone research and development, safety, and, of course, several on good telephone usage, he added…

Oct. 26, 1967

Boy Scout Paper Drive Resumes On November 4

Shakopee Boy Scout Troop No. 218 has received notice that salvage paper can be collected again on a temporary basis.

The Shakopee troop is conducting a city-wide paper drive, to include newspapers only, on Saturday, November 4.

This date would resume the regular first Saturday of the month date the troop has used to collect paper since the 1920’s…

West End River Bridge Span ‘Choice’ Highway Dept. Reports

That the State Highway Department engineers would recommend proceeding with the original location of the new bridge span for the Minnesota River at Shakopee, from the Highway 169-212 wye just northeast of the city to just west of Rahr Malting on West First, was the report given by Highway Department engineers at a meeting Tuesday evening for this week in the Council Chambers of the Shakopee City Building.

This announcement came in a follow-up report by Highway engineers on the comparative cost and engineering studies of the west end location for the bridge span with that of the location at the east edge of Shakopee as sought by city officials, primarily to serve Valley Industrial Park…

Maurice Stans On Nixon Bandwagon

Maurice H. Stans, budget director under former President Dwight Eisenhower, and a member of the 1925 Shakopee High graduating class, for whom Stans Park was recently dedicated and named in his honor, has been named national finance chairman of the Nixon-For-President committee.

Stans made an appearance in Shakopee with former Vice President Nixon during the Eisenhower administration, when Nixon came to Shakopee as guest speaker at a testimonial dinner for Stans on Thursday, September 16, 1965. This event was sponsored by the Shakopee Education Association and the Shakopee Federation of Teachers in recognition of Stans’ assistance in the program for scholarships for post-high school study for Shakopee High graduating seniors.

1992: Shakopee Valley News

Oct. 1, 1992

After moving its restored house from 303 East First Avenue to 437 East Fourth Avenue, Van Horn Home Improvements has moved back to First Avenue. Van Horn Home Improvements has purchased an old house at 339 West First Avenue which will enjoy the same kind of window, door and siding improvements that the old Van Horn location enjoyed. Van Horn Home Improvements will be celebrating the Open House of its new offices at 339 West First Ave. today, tomorrow and Saturday (Oct. 1-3), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a 25-percent discount available on Ply-Gem custom-made vinyl-replacement windows and doors. All Ply-Gem’s new styles will be on display. Free refreshments will also be available.

Out with the old, in with the new. Construction of a new Minnesota River bridge in downtown Shakopee continues this fall. Lunda Construction Co. of Black River Falls, Wis., is removing remnants from a previous bridge and will construct concrete piers. The bridge is expected to be completed in November 1993. Bid-letting on the companion downtown mini-bypass project is scheduled Oct. 23. The total project is scheduled for completion in November 1994.

Norwest remodeling, will add drive-up banking service

Remodeling and expansion projects at the Shakopee office of Norwest Bank were celebrated Sept. 15 during a ground-breaking ceremony.

According to Todd Schwartz, consumer bank manager and vice president, a new parking lot and five-lane drive-up banking area are being constructed adjacent to the south side of the bank. The new drive-up area will include a 24-hour automated-teller machine.

The bank’s interior will be remodeled to include a larger reception area and a teller station specifically designed to provide more access to those with disabilities. Also, there will be remodeling to provide separate offices and additional space for bankers to work individually with customers…

SACS’ endowment campaign begins

The Shakopee Area Catholic Schools (SACS) has begun a campaign to establish an education endowment. The endowment committee, chaired by Bert Notermann, is aiming for a $600,000 goal, in hopes that the fund will eventually grow to $1 million.

The endowment was established in March 1991 but the committee chose to hold off on the campaign until the parish center improvements at St. Mark’s were completed…

Oct. 8, 1992

Residents say taxes high but city services good

While Shakopee residents believe that in comparison to other suburban communities their property taxes are on the high side, they also appreciate the city services they get and are willing to pay for them.

And overall, a whopping 87 percent of city residents believe the quality of life in Shakopee is either “good” or “excellent…”

Oct. 15, 1992

Towering heights. Construction of a 265-foot malthouse tower at Rahr Malting Co. in Shakopee was completed this week. The malthouse is the fifth such structure at Rahr, and represents a major expansion by the Minneapolis-based firm. Construction of the tower required continuous pouring of concrete over about 400 hours involving 80 workers and two 12-hour shifts over about three weeks. The entire project is expected to be complete by January 1994.

City Council orders study proposal on Lions Park arena

Shakopee city officials hope they can get some lingering questions answered, once and for all, about a proposal to put a permanent roof over the Lions Park ice arena.

The council voted 5-0 on Oct. 6 to direct staff to prepare a “request for proposals,” for a feasibility study to provide those answers.

Among the topics council members want answers about concern the cost to operate the arena, anticipated revenues, and outlook for ice-rental income…

Oct. 22, 1992

SACS endowment campaign gets under way this week. The campaign to raise $600,000 in endowment funds for the Shakopee Area Catholic School (SACS) officially got under way this Wednesday as members of the advance gifts committee met for an orientation and training meeting. About 250 prospects from St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s in Shakopee, and St. Mary’s of Marystown, will be visited for lead-off gifts…

Hockey team will have a home away from home

The Shakopee Hockey team will hold its practices and games this coming winter season at the Eden Prairie Community Center.

According to Dale Vaughan, Shakopee High School’s director of activities, Shakopee will play all its home games at the Eden Prairie facility. Two of the Indians’ 10 home games will be played Saturday at 2 p.m. The other eight home games will be played weekdays at 4 p.m.…

Oct. 29, 1992

$10.6 million school bond referendum set for Feb. 2

The Shakopee School Board Monday voted unanimously to hold a $10.59 million bond referendum Feb. 2 for the acquisition of land, school expansions and improvements to facilities.

On Saturday, the School Board met in a special work session during which recommendations from facility committee members and Kevin Sullivan of Wold & Associates, the St. Paul architectural firm chosen for the design of the additions to Pearson and Sweeney elementary schools, were reviewed.

The board then came up with a pared-down version of the committee’s wish lists. If the referendum is successful, the district will make the following improvements:

* Expansion and remodeling at Pearson Elementary, estimated to cost $3.8 million…

* Expansion and remodeling at Sweeney Elementary, estimated to cost $4.345 million and be completed by August 1994…

* Land acquisition for expansion of the high school and outdoor facilities would cost an estimated $1.543 million, with a completion date of August 1994…

* Technology improvements throughout the district would cost an estimated $795,000, and be phased-in throughout 1993 and 1994…

* Another district project would include remodeling so that buildings are handicapped-accessible, at an estimated cost of $150,000…

Mishap causes five-day shutdown at Anchor Glass

The Shakopee Fire Department was called to Anchor Glass Container Corp. early Friday after a furnace – which holds 300 tons of molten glass – leaked, spewing 150 tons of the hot liquid to a retaining vat, according to Plant Manager Don Hennen.

The incident resulted in a shutdown until Wednesday…