All posts by Wes Reinke

Remember When: December 2017

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

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)

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)

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

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…

Samuel Hibler and a Bookstore (and More) in Shakopee: 1855

Samuel Hibler, a young man from Pennsylvania, opened a first-class bookstore in the fall of 1855. “Hurrah for Shakopee!” said the Shakopee Independent on Nov. 17, 1855, “Such an establishment is needed in Shakopee, and no man that we know of is better qualified to transact that same business than is Mr. Hibler. May success attend him for his enterprise.”

Samuel Hibler set up a book seller and stationer in just a few days, according to the article.

Though the idea of a bookstore in Shakopee was wonderful then (and wish the same now!), there is more about Samuel Hibler than just the bookstore!

On a cold stormy night in the last days of January 1856, James B. Wakefield, Henry P. Constans, Spier Spencer and Samuel V. Hibler, with several others, whose names are not important to this history, were assembled in a small store by a warm stove in Shakopee. All were poor in purse, but in youth, health and courage, were rich and hopeful.

This was a year ever memorable in Minnesota of inflated prices of land and of wild speculations. Immigrants had been coming into the territory in great numbers. For several years past great improvements had been made and fortunes acquired in a day, by speculators in lands, town-sites and corner lots. The prospects for the year just beginning were very flattering.

The conversation of this small company turned upon these interesting subjects and the project was proposed of striking out somewhere and founding a city. Others were doing this very thing and were rapidly acquiring wealth and why should they not do the same? They agreed to go forth into the wilderness and find a suitable place for a town-site, survey and plat it and settle down as permanent citizens and build a town.

Speculation was not the sole motive of this project. A desire to secure permanent locations, the establishment of business and to contribute their mite, toward the building up and development of the country, as well as the bettering of their financial condition, induced this determination.

The first intention was to go into Freeborn County, but on examining the map of southern Minnesota, the valley of the Blue Earth River fixed the attention of the company. The buffalo and elk hunter, the trapper, the Indian and the explorer, had already told their stories, of the beauty and fertility of the Blue Earth valley. Thomas Holmes had talked in glowing language of the forks of the Blue Earth River as an eligible location for a town.

In fact, a small, rough log cabin, on the north bank of the stream was built by Thomas A. Holmes in 1854 at the two branches of the Blue Earth River in Faribault County. It was very crudely built, quite low and not more than ten by twelve feet in size, and had evidently been built as a mere temporary shelter. He erected this cabin, with the intention of making a claim of the land adjoining, with a view of eventually laying out a town in the vicinity.

This he never did, however, but went so far as to employ two men, whose names are now forgotten, to go upon the land and to occupy this cabin a short time.

This cabin was the first advance made in the building of a human habitation, on the capacity and architectural style of a Dakota tioti. It was the first house erected in the county. But in 1854, Thomas A. Holmes decided to focus more on Shakopee.

And so, in 1856, the group of men from Shakopee decided to go to the head-waters of the Blue Earth River. The winter had been long and cold. It was now the beginning of February and the snow lay twenty inches deep on the level and great drifts were piled in every direction, but what are such difficulties to western energy, bent on great projects?

The company hired one Huffman, with his team and sled, and gathered together a few provisions. They gathered flour, pork, beans, some culinary utensils and a ten gallon keg of a peculiar fluid extract of rye, which latter article had been recommended by solicitous friends, as a valuable medicine in cases of frost-bites, snake-bites, chills, or general prostration. Well-armed with guns, pistols and plenty of ammunition, Samuel and others started for the forks of the Blue Earth, across a trackless region.

The cold was intense, and the roads, where there were any, were blockaded. South of Mankato no roads existed. After a tedious journey, on Feb. 6, 1956, Samuel and his group crossed the lands where Blue Earth City now stands, and proceeded about a mile further south, to the cabin of Moses Sailor, the first settler. The group stayed overnight with Moses Sailor.

Having traveled all day over trackless prairies, plunging through deep snow drifts, sometimes breaking the way for the team, Samuel and the other pioneers were well nigh exhausted and they enjoyed the hearty welcome, the warm fire, the corn bread and bacon of the first settler.

Having fully explained their designs to Moses Sailor, the next morning the pioneers, with Moses in the lead, entered upon the lands where the future city was to be built. Moses, knowing the ground well, pointed out to them in glowing language the beauty and adaptability of the location for a town-site. But few words are necessary with men of business and it was forthwith decided to found the town. They were shown the small log cabin of Thomas A. Holmes, in which they stored their goods and took up their abode for the present.

On the following day Wakefield and Spencer started out with the team, on their return to Shakopee, leaving Constans and Hibler to hold possession of the country.

Henry and Samuel were left alone and went to work to render themselves as comfortable as possible in their cabin. Their usual amusements were chopping wood and carrying it up the steep bank of the river, to their cabin, keeping fire and cooking their victuals. Frequently informal visits would be made to Moses’s, where they would get a warm meal, which visits would be kindly returned by Moses in a day or two, and these courtesies were usually, according to the strict etiquette of the times, rendered mellow and agreeable.

Thus the time passed until about March 7, 1856, when James returned with a pocketful of official commissions and accompanied by another new settler, George B. Kingsley. Spier did not return, but stayed in Shakopee.

During this time of organization of the county, there were not probably more than fifteen white male voters in the county. The pioneers, now four of them, Wakefield, Constans, Hibler, and Kingsley, all living in the small cabin, decided that their quarters were too small and uncomfortable and determined at once to build a larger house.

This they proceeded to do and, after a week or two of hard work and the assistance of the Sailor boys, the result was the Elkhorn, erected on the proposed town-site of Blue Earth City. It was the first house on the town-site. The building was constructed of rough logs and was very roomy, being sixteen by twenty-two feet, one story high, large chimney, puncheon floor, and one civilized window. As soon as completed they removed into this commodious tenement and it became the general rendezvous, and head-quarters of the county for some time.

Spring set in about the middle of March and the snow soon entirely disappeared, but it was still cold. Provisions had run very low and Moses had also exhausted his store. The weather continued cold—the ice in the streams was breaking up—the waters getting high and traveling was impossible. Day after day even weeks passed, but no one came bringing provisions. No one could go after supplies, and starvation was imminent. They were at last reduced to buckwheat slapjacks, the flour being stirred up with water, and as a rarity occasionally seasoned with ground cinnamon bark. This was the only article of food for some weeks, except that on several occasions some wild game—a squirrel or a rabbit—would be shot.

And to add greatly to their miseries, their stock of tobacco became entirely exhausted—not a crumb left. “Oh for one chew! Just one smoke!” was the repeated exclamation. Barks and roots were tried but gave no relief—pockets were worn out with the involuntary search for the weed and in the silent hours of the night weird dreams came to them of jolly plugs of pure Cavendish, great smoking Meerschaums, and Royal Havanas, dancing in the air.

During this trying time, however, an event occurred which threw the company into great excitement—a fine fat raccoon was discovered in a tree top, at a short distance! Here now was something of real importance. It had of course to be taken by some means as they were out of meat. It was one of those great emergencies, where presence of mind, steady nerves, and skill alone triumph. So the mighty hunter Constans, by far the best marks-man in the party and a dead shot, was deputed to bring down the raccoon.

Henry approached the game with that silence, stealth and cunning, known only to the skilled hunter. He took deadly aim with a rest, he fired—the raccoon did not stir. Quickly loading again with great care and circumspection, he shot again but strange to say there were no signs of trouble in that tree top. And now, alas, it was found that the shots were all exhausted. What was to be done?

Henry wore a vest, on which were some round buttons. He pulled out his knife and off came the buttons. This was serious, so the gun was reloaded with the heavy buttons. Henry, concentrating his powers, took another deadly aim—fired and down came the raccoon, and down also came the hunter! The gun killed, or nearly so, at both ends. It had kicked him fair on the nose, knocking him over. His nose was smashed. But they got the raccoon, and they had a great old time eating once again!

Life in Faribault County during this time was not especially attractive and began to hang heavily upon our pioneers. No amusements—but few neighbors, no mails, nothing to do, except the cooking of their meals and carrying in their wood and water. Their stories had all been told a dozen times, invention even was exhausted, no reading matter but that which had been read and re-read until it had become disgustingly stale. A vocal band was organized and much time spent in singing. Quiet games of cards were played, with no other purpose than to kill time, or as was often the fact to determine definitely who should bring in the next bucket of water, or back in the next load of wood. The last days of the month arrived and with it the occurrence of a great and long hoped for event.

Settlers now began to come into various parts of the county rapidly and locate. A number of claims were taken and cabins erected, and as the pleasant month of June arrived, the ground became settled and the great work of surveying the town-site was begun.

Thomas Hood, of Shakopee, a first-class surveyor, was employed and a surveying corps was organized. The surveying and staking out of the city required about a month’s labor, and was completed in the first days of July.

Samuel, the register of deeds of the county and one of the original town proprietors, was holding a section adjoining the town-site of Blue Earth City as a claim. He had erected a small cabin and made some other improvements in the land. The land was very valuable, and since Hibler wasn’t on the claim, Theophius Bowen jumped the claim. He wanted to contest Hibler’s right to own the land on the local land office.

The jumping of claims was in those days very unpopular. Many people lost their lives in this territory because of claim jumping. Law and order was not well established and trespassing often resulted in the strong and bloody hand.

On Oct. 15, 1856, Samuel and several friends proceeded to the house on his claim and ordered Bowen off the premises. A young man, Alfonso Brooks, was in the house at the time with Theophius Bowen. High words followed between Samuel and Theophius, and when they got into a scuttle, Alfonso tried to interfere. Hibler, who had a stout cane in his hand, struck Brooks over the head. Alphonso stooped down to pick up a piece of brick from the small pile in the corner, and as he arose, Samuel struck him again on the head several times.

Alfonso fell and died in about an hour. His skull was broken.

Alfonso was buried in the graveyard at Blue Earth City. He was a young man of good habits, intelligent, of inoffensive character, and not one of the principal parties to the quarrel. He was stricken down in the prime of his life.

Theophius immediately went to Mankato to make a complaint against Samuel and some others, whom he considered implicated. The complaint was made before the justice of the peace, who issued a warrant for the arrest of Hibler and others. Samuel Hibler got an attorney from Shakopee, Thomas J. Galbraith, and James Dow, an attorney from Red Wing. Lewis Branson of Mankato was the prosecuting attorney.

Attorney Thomas J. Galbraith (who would be involved in the U.S.-Dakota Conflict in 1862) moved to discharge the prisoners because they had no jurisdiction over the territory where the offense had been committed.

They were discharged.

Samuel never returned to the county. He went to Shakopee, where he remained for a short time. And then he returned to Pennsylvania, his native state.

Theophius subsequently pre-empted the land in dispute, and later it was laid out as an addition to Blue Earth City.

The current opinion of the time was that the killing of Alfonso was mainly an accident, and that Samuel was not seriously to be blamed under the circumstances.

And so, Shakopee lost a bookstore, Samuel V. Hibler moved back to Pennsylvania, and Alfonso Brooks lost his life.

See what happens when you read?!!!!

(Some information from The History of Faribault County, Minnesota: From Its First Settlement to the Close of the Year 1879 (1896) by Jacob Armel Kiester. Minneapolis: Harrison & Smith; The Bench and Bar of Faribault County by J.A. Kiester at geneaologytrails.com/minn/Faribault/.countyhistory.html; and New Book Store, Shakopee Independent, Nov. 17, 1855.)

A Gunfight at 3 a.m.: 1947

Night Officer Pat Thielen was making his rounds shortly after 3 a.m. in downtown Shakopee in 1947. As he was driving out of the alley next to the telephone company, he heard the tinkle of falling glass. He thought it might be in the rear of Metcalf’s, so he drove down Holmes Street and turned into the alley between the Pure Oil and the Standard Oil gas stations. As he passed the station, Pat saw a figure dart out between the pumps at the Standard Station, and a car parked across the street did a U-turn and picked up the person. Then the car raced east on First Avenue toward Savage.

When Thielen saw the car, he skidded on the ice, and broke a headlight against a telephone pole. Pat started the chase, with the two vehicles driving in excess of 80 miles per hour. They roared past the First Presbyterian Church, which was dedicated on Feb. 25, 1900, and was used until 1967. The church is now the Igelsia del Dios Vivo, Columna y Adoyo de la Verdad, La Luz Del Mundo on 502 First Avenue East. The three bandits, driving a 1941 Buick Road-master, opened fire at Pat, and Pat returned fire, emptying his pistol at the fleeing machine.

The bandits’ bullets struck the police car, one through the center of the right windshield, and one at the edge of the roof, also on the right side. The slugs were .41 caliber weapons. Thielen believed that the burglars were professionals, as the driver kept his machine on the left side to protect himself, while his companions fired, one from each rear window of the car.

When the firing started, the burglars slowed down, and when Thielen fired back, they sped away, rapidly outdistancing the police car. Pat, who was a veteran of the heavy combat in the South Pacific during World War II, noted that if he had a Browning automatic rifle, he could have stopped them. But without it, the bandits escaped.

Thielen was unhurt except for flying glass. He headed back to town and alerted the nearby law enforcement agencies.

A few years later, Don Miles from the State Crime Bureau called Pat and they met at the Carver County Jail. A prisoner was there, and he was being interrogated. The prisoner described how he and his friends had been hired for $500 to come to Shakopee in 1947 to scare a new police officer out of his job. They spent a day watching his routines, and the next night the burglars broke a window in the gas station to get his attention. The prisoner mentioned that Pat had come so fast that they had to get the hell out in a hurry. While firing on the officer’s car and making a bee line out of town, the prisoners and friends got four bullets in the back of their car.

When Don mentioned that Pat was there now, listening, the prisoner said, “Oh, my God, no!” and clammed up. Unfortunately, Pat realized that is was no use pursing it as the statute of limitations had already run out!

(Some information from Robert George Thielen: The Legend of “Pat” Thielen by the Shakopee Heritage Society, 2007, p. 11-13.)

Shakopee’s City Hall

Compiled by David R. Schleper

The first Shakopee City Hall was built at the northeast corner of Lewis and Second streets, across from what is now known as Bill’s Toggery. The plan was drawn by Charles Bornarth (who ended up using the same plan for the Jordan City Hall). It was built in 1883, and Frank Buch was the contractor for the new two-story building.

The city hall was used until September 1957. The City decided to abandon and raze the old city hall, which was a termite terminal, in September 1957. (That area became a parking lot, and is now being renovated for a new downtown parking lot across from Bill’s Toggery.)

Meanwhile, the city hall was moved to the north side of First Avenue. The First National Bank was here for many years, and was the location of a bank robbery that happened in 1929. The City of Shakopee decided to buy the building for $20,000, and the city offices were moved to the first floor on June 15, 1958. This was the second location of the city hall. The City of Shakopee was in this location for 32 years.

In 1968, the original fire bell, which was in the tower of the first city hall, on the northeast corner of Second and Lewis, was decoratively placed for posterity at the front of the city office at the second city hall. The bell, cast in bronze, was sandblasted at Rahr Malting to get a revived look. The bell bared the names of officials of earlier times, cast in relief on the side of the bell: George E. Strait, mayor; David L. How, president of the council; Julius Coller, city recorder, and Jacob S. Kunsman, chief of the fire department. (The bell is now located at Fire House #2 in Shakopee.)

Meanwhile, the First National Bank moved to Holmes Street, on the northeast corner of Holmes Street and Second Avenue. Before this, this location was the location of the first brick house, which was built in 1853 by Mr. Coulton. The location became the house of the Sherrard family, and when David Lennox How married Mary M. Sherrard in 1862, they moved into this house.

Dr. H. P. Fischer remodeled it to become the first hospital in Shakopee, the Shakopee Hospital. From a hospital, it became an apartment, and then the American Legion Club. It was finally razed in 1955 to build the First National Bank building, which opened on Feb. 10, 1958. (This was the fifth place for the bank, which started at the old National Hotel in 1865.)

The First National Bank became Marquette Bank. The building is on 129 Holmes St. S., and became the third city hall. On Feb. 11, 1993, the city hall was occupied. The third city hall was about one block from the second city hall, which was about one block from the first city hall.

And finally, this year, 2017, a new city hall, Shakopee’s fourth city hall, was built on the east side of downtown Shakopee, near the police station. The location is 485 Gorman St. If you need to contact people at City Hall, please call 952-233-9300. The website is http://www.shakopeemn.gov/.

City hall at northeast corner of Second Avenue and Lewis Street
City hall at northeast corner of Second Avenue and Lewis Street
City hall at 129 First Ave. E.
City hall at 129 First Ave. E.
City hall at 129 Holmes St. S.
City hall at 129 Holmes St. S.
City hall at 485 Gorman St.
City hall at 485 Gorman St.

The Bridge over the River: 1880

By David R. Schleper

Lewis Street Swing Bridge
Lewis Street Swing Bridge

Peter Geyermann was born in Germany on Dec. 13, 1825, son of Henry and Christina Nell Geyermann. He came to America on July 7, 1851, and was located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm for a few weeks. For a short time he worked on the Michigan Central railroad in Indiana, before he began chopping wood in northern Illinois for two years. Peter then purchased a tract of timber land in Illinois along the Chicago & Aurora Railroad. In 1853, he was in the mercantile business in Aurora for two years.

In 1855, Peter moved to Minnesota Territory and took a preemption claim in Carver County. Two years later he sold out and moved to Shakopee, where he was involved in the merchandise business.

In a letter to his brother and sister-in-law, Peter described his life in Shakopee. This letter was translated from German to English in January 1991 by Ernst Wirt, Mitchell, S.D:

Shakopee, Nov 30, 1855

Dear Brother and Sister-in Law,

I wrote to you on August 30, a letter but I never got an answer which surprised me very much.

In our family we have lots of news to report. Our sister Anna Maria got married on the 23rd of July with the blacksmith. He comes from Saxony. His name is Johann Heinz. He is a very ambitious and hard working man. And on the 20th of August, it pains me very much to write that our dear and only brother, Joseph, died. He was such a strong and young brother (just like Michel and Joseph were). Our Joseph was about 10 days sick. He had something called the red Ruhr. He was very happy here in America because he didn’t have to take care of anybody, only himself, and he remembered where his home was. He never had it so good in his whole life. He could eat and drink anything he wanted. It didn’t cost him a penny. I never saw him so happy as in the time I saw him here.

Our sister Anna Marie was not too happy when our other sister, Magdalene left here because her new husband died on the 10th of September of the same sickness like Joseph. On the same day died also Simon Derbach. They all lived with me. You can’t imagine the hardship. It was not only that all those people died, but everybody also sick in the house. I was very depressed and always was thinking that I was the next to go. I wanted to move from here and look for a different place.

So I did. I moved to Shakopee, Minnesota Territory, and I live outside in the country. I bought a claim there. The land belonged to the government and was not yet sold. The law says whoever comes first and homesteads it has a claim to it, but you have to be over 21 years of age. I had to take 160 acres of land and you were supposed to build a house on this land, and supposed to take care of the land. And whoever is doing this first has the first right and claim. For this I paid $300.00 but if I ever wanted to sell it, then I would have to pay $1.25 per acre and I have to announce this 3 months in advance. If I don’t pay it in time then I can sell it to someone else, but I must leave the homestead. This can take the time of 1 or 2 years. The house that exists is in very poor condition in the country and we are in the process of building a new one. Last Wednesday we started.

You are probably surprised to hear that people build houses here in the winter, but here in the country people take tree stems and they make very nice houses (log houses). So if you plan to build a house you have to see that you get all the logs nearby, bring it to the place, and cut them into the measurements as big as the house is supposed to be. Then you go and call on 8 to 10 neighbors and then everything will be put together in one day but the roof. The rest a person has to do himself and that goes better than anybody can imagine. Once you are between 3 and 4 years in America, you become a pretty good builder, and you acquire all the tools that craftsmen need to make a building.

Our land is ½ mile long and ½ mile wide. That is called 160 ruten (rods?) and the house is as wide as 1 rod is. (ed. note: 5.5 yards) Now you can imagine how big the house is. I have approximately 40 acres of wood on my land, approximately 6 acres of meadow and the rest are hedges. But we don’t do it here the same way we did it in (Lehnheck?). Here we take 2 or 3 young oxen and put them into a yoke, and then the land will be worked. One yoke of oxen I own and that cost me $150. Animals are very expensive here. I must say that animals are much more expensive now than when I came to America, because when I came to America, a yoke of oxen I could buy in those days for $60. Here the animals are not quite so expensive as in the old states like in Illinois where I came from.

I am now about 600 miles away NW from Arora (Aurora, Illinois) and it is much colder than there. We had already for 14 days, snow, but this week is exceptionally nice weather and the snow was almost melting away. I hope there is not new snow coming, but we will take it. It would be alright if we got snow so tomorrow morning and Sunday we want to go hunting for deer, while we are waiting to finish the house, because when the house is ready, we won’t have much time. That’s why we want to go and hunt now. And when the Indians don’t come back and take the animals away, there is plenty of deer over here.

What I’m talking about are the natives or the wild people and they don’t do anything else but hunting, but they do not hurt the white people. If it would ever happen, they have to deliver the murderer, or they receive very harsh treatment, and get blamed for that by their own people. The wild man don’t want to work at all. They think work takes something away from their honor. They do not do anything else but hunting and be a warrior, and that is the main reason that America is not so populated as Europe. These wild people have friction among themselves. There are lots of different tribes, and if anybody enters their territory, then they have a war.

We and our sister Magdalena live here on my land. She will get married. Her husband’s name is Hilliarius Schumacher. He comes from a town called Metternich, near Cologne. She is married on the 23rd of October.

Our Margaret is a servant in Shakopee. She gets $2 a week. Our Marie is a servant still in Arora (Aurora). She got the best conditions. She is in good health, and receives good money. Wherever she works, the people don’t let her go. They like her. She’s a very ambitious girl and she is the biggest and heaviest of us all. She could have got married many times before if she liked to. I think she wants to remain there until next spring, and then she will come here with our Anna Marie who still lives in the same house where I live. She would have been gone before but I was expecting some money, and I couldn’t get the money until next spring.

The letter gives a good explanation of Shakopee in 1855.

Peter married Emelia Berreau in Shakopee. They had six children.

Peter and Emelia operated Geyermann’s General Store between First and Second avenues and Lewis Street in downtown Shakopee, which included groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, dress goods, clothing, and crockery. The store opened in 1857.

A Board of Trade was organized in March 1878, with Peter as president. The editorial of the Shakopee Argus noted that:

“Shakopee is now a metropolitan city. It has twelve street lamps, each with the illuminating power of ten lightning bugs. On a dark night the flickering rays of light are cast fully twenty feet around and on a clear night with a full moon, the city is brilliantly lighted up.”

Peter also became mayor of Shakopee. He was mayor from 1873-1876, and again in 1878. While he was mayor in 1878, Peter was involved in controversy. The town needed a bridge over the Minnesota River. After lots of discussion over several years, the legislature voted in favor of building a bridge in Shakopee. The bridge was to be built on Fuller St.

The mayor owned a store on Lewis St., so he vetoed the resolution for building the bridge on Fuller St. He wanted it on Lewis Street, so that people arriving over the bridge would go directly to his store. Another resolution, putting the bridge on Holmes Street, was also vetoed by the mayor. They tried other sites, including one near Murphy’s Landing, and later the Shakopee Argus editor looked out from the third floor of his building, and saw a huge cottonwood tree across the river. He suggested that they could lasso the tree, and build the river across at that part. Obviously, that did not win, either.

After many more meetings, the mayor won out, and the bridge was built on Lewis St. in 1880.

Many people were upset, though, and the mayor’s store was boycotted by many residents, especially the people in the First Ward, who wanted the Fuller St. site. So effective was the action that Peter and Emelia were forced out of business, and after 24 years in the business, they left the town of Shakopee.

Peter and Emelia moved to the little town of Hersey (now called Brewster) where they started a new general merchandise store. After several years, the family established stores in Pipestone, Worthington, and Storm Lake, Iowa. In the 1920s, Peter and Emelia’s sons opened stores in Huron, Mitchell, Madison, and Brookings, South Dakota. In the 1940s they added stores in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, as well as Beatrice and Hastings, Nebraska. Record books of the old Brewster, Minnesota store noted that a man’s suit cost $9.50, a boy’s boots cost $2.13, eight yards of printed goods cost 66 cents, a gallon of oil was 25 cents, butter was just 20 cents a pound, and Rock and Rye was $1.00 a bottle.

Emelia Berreau Geyermann died in 1907, and Peter Geyermann died in 1911.

Meanwhile, the Lewis Street Swing Bridge in Shakopee was opened for river boat traffic heading further west in 1880.

On July 15, 1896, the boat the Daisy was heading up the Minnesota River when it hit the bridge, knocking over its smoke stacks. It seems that the boat didn’t wait until the Lewis Street Swing Bridge was open before it crashed!

When the Holmes Street Bridge was built in 1927, the Lewis Street Swing Bridge was open for foot traffic. In 1942, with the war effort, the scrap metal was requisitioned by the government, and the Lewis Street Swing Bridge supplied the metal. It was estimated that it contained 100 tons of needed metal for bombs, jeeps, and ships.

And so that is what happened with the Swing Bridge on Lewis St. in downtown Shakopee.

(Some information from The Shakopee Story by Julius A. Coller, II, pages 118-120; Shakopee Scrapbook by Michael C. Huber, Patricia A. Huber, and Joseph C. Huber; Taped Interview of Jack Coller on KSMM Radio, July 1982; and information from Rick Geyermann via email to David R. Schleper.)