Month: July 2024

150 Years Ago: From the July 30, 1874 Shakopee Argus

The farmers in this vicinity are busily engaged in harvesting their wheat. Harvest wages are from $2 to $3 a day. If the weather continues favorable the greater portion will be cut this week, and we may then expect more stir upon our streets. The crop is said to be very good, both in quality and quantity. If the crop can be secured in good order we may hope for flush times next winter.

125 Years Ago: From the July 27, 1899 Scott County Argus

The merry-go-round closed its Shakopee “engagement” on Tuesday evening, and departed for other pastures. The outfit is a good one of its kind, and it is under good management, which may explain the very liberal patronage it enjoyed while here. The street fair managers have arranged with the proprietor of the carrousselle to be here during the three days of the fair, hence the cheery music of merry-go-round will add its mite to the merry din on that great big occasion.

125 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

John Nachtsheim will move his household effects into the Schott building on Holmes street next week.

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

Night Operator Held Up

Last evening, Thursday, about 9:00 o’clock two strange men at the point of guns held up Harry Philipp, night operator at the depot, removed his glasses, broke them to pieces, took $50 from the till, and then marched him through the residence part of town, gagged him and tied his hands and feet, and laid him in the grass in the lot west of Judge Weiland’s residence…

100 Years Ago: From the July 31, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

A jolly party comprising Mr. and Mrs. James Smith and children and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Ries, all of this city, motored to Wisconsin Friday and were visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Miller and family. They returned on Saturday evening, bringing with them 50 quarts of raspberries which they picked in Wisconsin on Saturday.

75 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

State Legion Tourney Opens Here Friday Night

For four days starting Friday, Shakopee’s Riverside park will be the mecca for followers of Junior American Legion baseball—it is there that the 10 top teams in the state will be matched for the state crown.

Nearly 200 youths from throughout the state will figure in the show and will be guests at a breakfast to be served in St. Mark’s parish hall at 10 a.m. Saturday. Dick Siebert, member of the Shakopee baseball club, a former major league star and now University of Minnesota baseball coach, will be the speaker at the morning brunch. The breakfast is sponsored by the Minnesota Ford Dealers association.

Committeemen of the Shakopee Legion Post, sponsor of the event, said this week that nearly 15,000 fans are expected to witness the classic, which this year, for the first time in 30 years has been moved outstate…

75 Years Ago: From the July 28, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

New Principal

Mrs. Grace Sweeney was named last week as the new principal of the Shakopee high school replacing Carlos Luis who recently resigned. A member of the high school faculty for many years, Mrs. Sweeney is a veteran educator and was recently selected by the University of Minnesota as one of the 75 educators from the Northwest to attend a special summer workshop.

50 Years Ago: From the July 31, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Dr. J. E. Ponterio to leave Shakopee after 33 yrs

Dr. J. E. Ponterio, a general practitioner for 33 years in Shakopee and co-founder of the Shakopee Medical Center, has announced his retirement from medicine…

25 Years Ago: From the July 29, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Local school district establishes website

Shakopee schools have a new global identity.

Up and running this week is the district’s web site, accessible at www.shakopee.k12.mn.us. The site was developed through a team effort by human resources technical support assistant Cathy TenEyck, communications coordinator Jackie Colby, and technology guru Leon McNellis.

Those logging on to the fledgling site will find some areas still “under construction.”…

The site offers basic information on School Board members, Community Education and Special Services. It also features a staff directory, school calendar, and nuts and bolts about each of the six buildings, including locations, phone numbers, grade levels and principals’ names…

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

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

A large addition is being added to the Episcopal Parsonage to meet the wants of the Minnesota Valley Academy, which has become very popular throughout the State as a well educated institution. The Third year begins Wednesday, September 9th. Rev. Wm. R. Powell, Rector.

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

The City Brick-yard, owned by Herman Schroeder, has taken two large orders for brick this week. The Minnesota Sugar company, at St. Louis Park, buys 200,000 to be used in building a reservoir, and 50,000 will go to Granite Falls to be used in the construction of a new brick business block. The Shakopee red brick are growing in popularity every day, and it now looks as though the season’s output of this yard, amounting to some three million brick, will be marketed as fast as manufactured. The second kiln, of 800,000, will be ready for burning in about two weeks. To fire such a kiln will require 250 cords of wood.

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

A merry-go-round is at present amusing young and old in the vacant lot opposite the Crystal.

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

Vandalism at Its Height

Certain personages, regular vandals have been making it a practice to break into the caretakers house at the Valley Cemetery and help themselves to what ever articles they chose.

Albert Boldt reports to us that Monday night they again gained entrance by battering down the door and getting away with some of his tools. Last fall the same thing occurred and Mr. Boldt was the loser of about $15 worth of material and tools…

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

Silver Loving Cup on Display at Deutsch Drug Store

The silver loving cup which will be awarded to the owner of the best dairy herd exhibited at the Scott County Agricultural Fair at Shakopee, August 28, 29 and 30 was received by W. F. Harris, secretary of the Agricultural Society, yesterday morning.

The cup was presented to the society by the Minnesota Dairy Association and is on display at present at the M. A. Deutsch Drug Store in this city.

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

Bond Plan Downed by 107 Votes

In one of the heaviest votes ever cast in a school election here voters of Independent School District No. 1 Friday turned down by a margin of 107 ballots the proposition of a supplemental bond issue of $140,000 for the construction and equipping of new public school facilities.

A total of 867 votes were cast in the election of which 487 opposed and 380 favored issuance of the additional bonds to finance the project.

In a previous election on the same proposition held June 30 the electorate cast 295 votes against, and 263 votes for the bond issue, defeating the proposal by 32 ballots…

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

Milwaukee Road Siding At Rahr Malt Plant Blocked When Two Boxcars Are Overturned

A Milwaukee Road wrecking crew worked five bours Tuesday afternoon to put two boxcars back on a siding near the Rahr Malt plant.

The two cars, empty, were parked on a side spur near a switch Monday when a Omaha freight crew, pushing a train through the switch, bumped into them with a boxcar and overturned them, blocking the siding into the plant…

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

Police to crack down on cyclists

Police Chief R. G. “Pat” Thielen announced today that effective August 1, 1974 the Shakopee Department will be taking a hard line approach to the problem of youths and adults violating traffic laws on bicycles in the City of Shakopee.

Chief Thielen said the crackdown on bicyclists is due to the increasing amount of bicycle and automobile accidents. In most cases the accident has been caused by the bicyclist violating a traffic law…

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

Parks referendum in fall?

At least two councilors favor asking voters again

The parks referendum that Shakopee voters rejected this spring could be back before the voters later this year.

Councilors Deb Amundson and Jane DuBois are interested in putting together a package which meets city park needs. Councilor Bob Sweeney said he would support people’s right to vote on the issue, but would not be willing to make a motion to send a referendum back to the voting public.

The issue could be on a ballot as early as Nov. 11…

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

150 Years Ago: From the July 16, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Mr. Orrin F. Hall, General Agent for the Grand Consolidation Circus, Menagerie and Museum, is now in town making arrangements for an exhibition of its wonders and feats of horsemanship and dexterity. The performers are represented as first-class and let those who desire to have a little recreation and enjoy a hearty laugh, be on hand to attend the show on Friday, the 24^th. Look out for the grand Street Parade at 10 o’clock a. m.

125 Years Ago: From the July 13, 1899 Scott County Argus

The carpenters are getting the timbers and first floor of the new Hinds block into place, and all will be ready for the bricklayers to commence work there as soon as they finish that part of the construction of the Flaherty & Lies block.

125 Years Ago: From the July 14, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

Mr. and Mrs. John Strattman have returned from Germany and will again make their abode in our midst. John says America is good enough for him.

100 Years Ago: From the July 18, 1924 Shakopee Argus

Last week B. J. Jansen purchased of W. F. Schoch a four passenger Hubmobile coupe which he presented to Mrs. Jansen for a birthday gift.

100 Years Ago: From the July 17, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Local People Fly in Dispatch Aeroplane

A five-passenger aeroplane, the largest in the Northwest, belonging to the Dispatch Flying Circus of St. Paul, arrived in this city Sunday morning and alighted on the Jaenicke farm, a short distance from Shakopee.

Several people of this vicinity went to the scene and some took ten-minute rides in the aeroplane. They were taken above the city and given a few minutes ride which was a continuation of thrills.

75 Years Ago: From the July 14, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Jail, Sheriff’s Residence Topic

Another step toward the eventual construction of a new Scott county jail and sheriff’s residence is expected to be taken Monday when the Board of County Commissioners meets with architects and A. X. Schall, state inspector of jails and lockups.

The Monday session, it was learned, may result in employing an architect to draft construction plans in conformity with recommendations to be provided by the state inspector.

State agents on several occasions in the past, have urged modernizing of the jail facilities and declared the present institutions inadequate. Early this year the Board took cognizance of the situation and adopted a resolution setting up the machinery to make a thorough study of the problem.

Following the drawing of plans and their approval, cost estimates will be made and then will come the calling of bids for construction, it was explained.

75 Years Ago: From the July 14, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Firemen Called

Firemen were called to the rear of the Standard Service station on Holmes street shortly after noon Tuesday to extinguish a smoldering dump fire on the river bank.

50 Years Ago: From the July 17, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

Reserve unit working at local radio station

Five army reservists, members of the Psychological Operations Battalion, A Company, out of Fort Snelling, spent their two weeks of training at Radio Station KSMM in Shakopee.

The five reservists were at the station for a two week period seven days a week, working in the music library, news room, filing and taking part in some commercial activity. Two of the men were occasionally on the air.

25 Years Ago: From the July 15, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Renovation of stadium OK’d

Baseball fans attending ballgames at Joe Schleper Stadium in Tahpah Park will see a full slate of improvements next summer now that the Shakopee City Council has approved spending more than $400,000 to refurbish the facility.

At its July 6 meeting, the City Council accepted Greystone Construction’s bid of $477,413 to construct a concession stand and bathrooms, a press box, a hard canopy over the grandstand and to enclose the space beneath the grandstand for equipment storage. The money to pay for the improvements will come from tax increment-financing (TIF) revenue ($380,000) and the city’s Park Reserve Fund ($97,413)…

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

150 Years Ago: From the July 9, 1874 Shakopee Argus

Thomas A. Holmes has sold his residence to Koerner the butcher. Mr. Holmes is now building a new house on the corner of Spencer and Fifth street.

125 Years Ago: From the July 6, 1899 Scott County Argus

The walls of the Flaherty & Lies block are now up to the second floor, and the carpenters will have finished the timber work and flooring within another day. Meantime the brick masons are putting in the lintels, two of which are forty feet in length, and the pillars. The ceiling will be fourteen feet high in the first story.

125 Years Ago: From the July 7, 1899 Shakopee Tribune

The steamboat Flora Clark made her first appearance on the Minnesota as far up as Shakopee last Sunday. Quite a large number of excursionists were on board, but owing to the lateness of their arrival they were given only about an hour to view our city and surroundings. Come again.

100 Years Ago: From the July 11, 1924 Shakopee Argus

The Shakopee American Legion Auxiliary No. 2 have received a handsome new unit banner, similar to the one owned by the Legion Post. The banner is a beautiful piece of workmanship, four and one third by five and one half feet in size of royal purple taffeta, lettered in gold and edges with silk fringe of gold color. A heavy gold cord and tassel form an elaborate decoration and the American Eagle in gold surmounts the standard. It is a beautiful specimen and the Auxiliary is justly proud of its new ensign. They are also exhilarated over the fact that they have increased their membership to one hundred members.

100 Years Ago: From the July 10, 1924 Shakopee Tribune

Miss Elizabeth K. and J. H. Ries were July 4^th evening guests of Mr. and Mrs. Alois Schaefer of Jordan at their summer home on the shore of Prior Lake. About fifty guests were present from the Twin Cities and Jordan. A feature of the evening’s entertainment was the burning and sinking of Mr. Schaefer’s gasoline launch “Pirate” which had finished its days of usefulness. The launch had been loaded with fireworks of all kinds and as the blaze ignited each fuse, the resulting fireworks presented a spectacular scene.

75 Years Ago: From the July 7, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Second Election on School Bond Set

Because there will yet be time to take advantage of the construction bids submitted June 13 in the event voters agree with the School Board and conclude that building of new public school facilities is necessary right now, the Board of Education of Independent School District No. 1 has called another special election on a $140,000 supplement bond issue for July 15…

75 Years Ago: From the July 7, 1949 Shakopee Valley News

Swim Program Now Underway

Assistance of local women to serve as chaperones for the daily swimming classes was asked this week by Al Wurst, superintendent of schools.

Over 300 local youngsters are receiving swimming lessons each day at Spring Lake through a recreational program sponsored by the Board of Education, the city of Shakopee, and the Red Cross…

Instructors conducting the program are two local men, Art Hoen and Robert Gray. Both are qualified Red Cross instructors. The program continues each day, Monday through Friday.

50 Years Ago: From the July 10, 1974 Shakopee Valley News

St. Francis home to close as of Sept. 1

The 34 bed, board and care facility, St. Francis Home, will be phased out as of September 1, 1974, according to Sister Agnes, Administrator of St. Francis Hospital and Home in Shakopee…

The facility which housed the board and care residents is 110 years old.

The home built by the Benedictine Sisters, became the property of St. Mark’s parish and then was turned over to Scott County who operated it as the “poor house.”

Not satisfied with the care these people received, concerned people in Shakopee asked the Sisters of St. Francis to care for these people with the dignity and respect each and every person deserves according to Sister Agnes. In 1938 the first Sisters began serving the community. Soon the building became the cradle of St. Francis Hospital.

25 Years Ago: From the July 8, 1999 Shakopee Valley News

Scott County jail needs resurface

The deficiencies of the Scott County Jail is a topic most county commissioners are well aware of but don’t want to talk about, a political hot potato with a fiscal and political price tag that could affect a re-election bid more than a year away.

Last week, during a County Board workshop on the county’s 2000 budget, Commissioner Ed Mackie of Savage said he believes the time has come for commissioners to begin “talking seriously about we’re going to do about the jail.” Because it has budget implications, Mackie offered the topic as one of the board’s possible goals for 2000…

Since 1987, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) – the licensing authority for all public and private jails in the state – has been pushing the county to make improvements to keep the jail, built in 1957, at or above state standards…

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