Month: February 2025

150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 25, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Robert Vessey has sold his hotel in East Shakopee to Edward Grant who opens it as the New England House.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1900 Scott County Argus

A. Hurr and family, of Minto, N. Dak., have located in the Conter House. Mr. Hurr has purchased the Ritchie farm, but there is some dispute concerning the title to the property, and he will make this place his home until the matter is settled among the heirs and he is given possession of the farm.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 23, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

John Boeggeman, of Marystown, while in on business Monday gave us a short but pleasant call. He is now without any exception the largest farmer in the county, having purchased another valuable piece of land adjoining his property at Marystown. Mr. Boeggeman is now the proprietor of 702 acres of land all situated in Scott county. Jacob Schaak, of St. Joe will now have to acquire more land to get into first rank again.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 27, 1925 Shakopee Argus

A chimney fire at the Nick Majerus home called out the fire department at 1:15 Wednesday afternoon. A high wind was raging at the time but the fire was extinguished fortunately before any damage was done.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

E. H. Mertz of Minneapolis visited in Shakopee the latter part of last week and while in this city painted a very handsome sign for Miss Jean Budde on the window of her beauty parlor which is located in the John Berens building.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 23, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Destroys Coop and 400 Baby Chickens

Frantic barking of their dog roused the Earl Whipps family at 3:45 a.m. Sunday to discover a blaze consuming a chicken house on their farm south of here.

The 1 ½-story frame structure, which one was a residence, was burned to the ground and with it went 400 baby chicks, a quantity of feed and some farm equipment…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 23, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

School Board Ready To Award Contracts

Contracts for the construction of Shakopee’s new public school will probably be let tonight as the Board of Education meets at 8 p.m. to open bids.

That bidding will be brisk and competitive was indicated by the fact that 31 firms have indicated their intention of submitting proposals. Architects Long and Thorshov reported the unusually large number of firms have obtained copies of plans and specifications…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Boat show opens at Shakopee Sports Center

Shakopee Sports Center, intent on a campaign to be known as “The Boat People”, will host a free Boat Show starting Saturday, March 1st and continuing throughout the month…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 24, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Rec department to have new director

City officials hope that a restructuring of personnel in Shakopee’s Parks and Recreation Department will both improve operations and allow for better planning for park development and environmental protection.

Last week, the City Council unanimously approved City Administrator Mark McNeill’s recommendation to move Parks and Recreation Director Mark McQuillan to the position of natural resources director.

In the new position, considered a lateral move, McQuillan will be responsible for the long-range land acquisition, park planning and development, grant applications, and administration of grants and contracts. In the wake of the Dean Lake controversy, in which a city ordinance allowed large-scale clearing of trees on a 330-acre parcel by a developer, the city wants McQuillan to address issues “which are now critical to address,” McNeill said…

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 18, 1875 Shakopee Argus

On Saturday last a young gent and lady took a plunging bath in a snow drift. It is reported it happened in this wise—but we cannot vouch for its truth: They were out taking a sleigh ride and the young gent was trying to coax the lady to go to the next dance with him. In doing so he dropped the lines, the horse turned out of the road and upset the cutter plunging the occupants into the snow drift. The horse broke loose from the cutter, left the lady and gent floundering in the snow and bewildered on the prairie, and he (the horse) came home in wild glee over the fun. It is almost a miracle the young lady and gent did not improve the opportunity and wash each other’s face in the beautiful snow.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1900 Scott County Argus

The German congregation of the local Lutheran church has invested in new hymn books of very recent issue. 200 copies were purchased, and they were in use for the first time last Sunday.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 16, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

E. J. Gellenbeck is laying a new floor in his store.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 20, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Herman Menz tested the new roller skating rink to his sorrow Sunday evening and is nursing a broken arm as the result of a fall.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Ed H. Mertz of Minneapolis was in Shakopee last Friday and Saturday putting new signs on the plate glass windows of the Lee Gelhaye restaurant and the Brunswick Music Shoppe. Both of the signs are very artistic and add greatly to the general appearance of the respective places of business on which they were placed.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 16, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City to Get Statue of Liberty Replica

That Shakopee will have a large replica of the famed statue of Liberty that stands on Dodge Island in New York harbor was disclosed Thursday night at a meeting of the Shakopee Boy Scout troop committee.

Members of the committee were informed that Henry C. Husman had made an individual contribution to the Boy Scout troop for the specific purpose of purchasing the eight-foot copper statue which he has ordered to arrive here by May 1…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 16, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee Invites State Prep Meet

Shakopee has submitted an invitation to the state high school league to hold the 1950 state baseball tournament in Riverside Park, Supt. Al Wurst advised this week. The site and dates of the tourney will be picked at a meeting this winter of the state high school league executive committee. The high school meet is the only major state baseball tourney that has never been staged in Shakopee’s Riverside Park.

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Citizens advisory committee readied for bond issue drive

Over 30 members of the Citizens Advisory Committee met Tuesday evening at the Shakopee Fire Department building to finalize plans for the March 11 bond issue question that will put a Municipal Service Building and an indoor ice facility before Shakopee voters…

Briefly, the bond issue will be in the form of two questions, on two ballots. Defeat of one question does not spell defeat for the other. Voters will be asked to provide $850,000 for a new Municipal Service Building, which would house police offices and a new Public Service facility.

Of that $850,000, $63,000 would be required for remodeling of the Fire Department and expansion of that facility into the existing Public Service garage.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 17, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Antique, gift shop opens in downtown

Old Town Antiques & Gifts is a new, unique little shop that just opened in downtown Shakopee. It is located at 120 First Ave. E., next door to the bakery.

The shop carries antiques, antique furniture, and also has a full line of new gifts, collectibles, greeting cards, gift wrap and balloons. It also features several antique dealers from the surrounding area, and carries handmade products by local artisans, such as quilts, ceramics and soaps…

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

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 11, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Why is it that the New Drug Store has met with considerable success in so short a time? Because its proprietor is satisfied with less profit than most of the business men in town.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1900 Scott County Argus

Next Sunday, February 11th, the congregation of the Presbyterian church will hold their farewell service in the old church building. A Program suitable to the occasion will be rendered, and all are invited to attend, especially the old residents of the city and such as were acquainted with organizing and building of the old house of worship. Service begins at 10:30 o’clock.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 9, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Jacob Ries was a passenger to St. Paul, where he made a tour among his numerous customers using his famous carbonated beverages. He has this week received another car-load of bottles, which will now enable him to fill his extensive orders in this and other states. It is no boast to say that the “Jacob Ries Bottling Works” is the largest and best equipped of its kind in the north west, which is all due to the superior quality in the goods, and the able management of the business.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 13, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Early Morning Fire Destroys Stove Foundry

Shortly before three o’clock Tuesday morning the fire alarm wakened the community to the knowledge that a disastrous fire was raging in the Shakopee Stove company’s foundry in East Shakopee, and from the first it was almost certain that the frame building was doomed, the fire had gained such headway before it was discovered. John McCaffrey, who was attending a social gathering at the William Reilly home, saw the blaze and gave the alarm by telephone.

The fire department responded quickly but the flames spread with incredible rapidity over the dry timbers of the building and the foundry was burned to the ground, only the new steel warehouse which was built last summer, escaping destruction. In the warehouse were stored about 150 stoves, coal ranges and a few gas ranges, all that were saved of the stock. The main patterns also were lost…

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

A roller skating rink will be opened in John Berens’ Hall tomorrow (Friday) evening, February 13. R. E. Lusk of Mankato is the proprietor of the rink and he informs us that his equipment includes 250 pairs of fibre wheel skates and a large military band organ with drum attachments. The rink will be open every afternoon and evening.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 9, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Buys Home Here

Glenn Boyd, Excelsior, state game warden, has purchased the Adolph Beuchtel house on W. Sixth street, it was learned. The Boyds plan to move into their new home about March 1. The Beuchtels plan to remain in Shakopee.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 9, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Donkey Ball To Be Played Here

A hilarious evening is in store for local sports followers with Jack Moore’s original Donkey Basketball scheduled for Wednesday evening, February 22 at the high school…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Coming along

Construction of the Toro plant in the Valley Center for Industry is coming along well in spite of the snowy weather. A couple of weeks ago only a steel skeleton was standing on the site; now the building is completely enclosed. Operations in the plant are expected to begin in just a few months.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 10, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Going up

Workers from Northern States Power are assembling Shakopee Public Utilities’ Dean Lake electrical substation on County Road 16. The approximately $3 million project is expected to be complete this spring. It will power Valley Green Business Park and residential developments on the east and south sides of the city.

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 4, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Those boulders that have been lying around loose in our streets are all being picked up and deposited in the ravine on First street.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 1, 1900 Scott County Argus

Mike Bohlig has bought the old Presbyterian church structure and the three lots included in the property, and he will have it metamorphosed into a dwelling house.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 2, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Little Miss Becker had a narrow escape, her presence of mind alone saving her from sure destruction. While crossing the H. & D. track on her way to school Monday morning she was knocked down by a moving freight car on the side track which she had not noticed as she was watching the train of cars attached to the engine on the main track. When the car struck her she fell between the rails, instead of trying to get up and run away, as one would suppose she would do, she had presence of mind enough to lay herself flat on the ground and the cars passed over her without injuring her in the least. Children in going to school in the morning should be cautious in crossing the tracks and watch cars both on the … track, for while … switches, as is frequently done here, there are moving cars on both tracks.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 6, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Lee Gelhaye is remodeling his place of business, removing the bar fixtures and transforming it into an up-to-date restaurant. When the work is complete Lee will be prepared to supply the wants of hungry patrons with anything they may desire, served with neatness and dispatch. The restaurant will be a needed addition to the city’s enterprises and will undoubtedly prosper.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 5, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Charles Rose was appointed night police officer by chief of police, J. H. Ring last Saturday, to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Frank Dressen. Mr. Rose went on duty Saturday night and will continue to serve in a temporary capacity until the position is permanently filled by action of the Common Council.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 2, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

St. Mary’s to Build School

Contracts for a large addition to St. Mary’s school were awarded this week, Rev. Father McRaith, pastor, announced. Total cost of the work, including equipment and architect fees will be approximately $113,000, Father McRaith said.

Plans provide for the construction of four large classrooms, a library and rest room on the ground floor, with an auditorium in the basement. The structure will be added to the south side of the present school…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 2, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Alarms Turned in on Two Minor Fires

Two fire alarms during the bitter cold weather this week luckily were minor affairs. Monday evening, the department was called to Gelhaye’s cafe where grease in a ventilating flue became ignited. No damage was done. Yesterday morning they extinguished a small roof fire at Stainless Steel foundry.

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 5, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Merchant group plans winter sidewalk sale

A unique sales promotion, a Sidewalk Sale inside the KC Hall on County Road 82 in east Shakopee, will be held Thursday and Friday, February 6-7, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. both days.

Co-sponsored by Bill’s Toggery, Betti Lu’s, LaTour Shoe & Western Wear and the Shakopee Sport Stop, the so-called Sidewalk Sale will actually be an “inside” opportunity to save, Save, SAVE!

Not only will shoppers have the opportunity to browse the entire main floor of the KC Hall for special bargains, they will also have the chance to enjoy a lunch or snack at ridiculously low prices…

Plans are to sub-divide the main floor of the KC hall into various booths – providing a panorama of bargains similar to an outside sidewalk or garage sale.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 3, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

City, township to meet on annexation

Officials from the city of Shakopee and Jackson Township will meet next Tuesday to discuss the city’s possible annexation of a portion of the township. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Last week, the council reached an agreement on the part of Jackson the city would like to annex – just over 28 percent of the 7.5-square-mile township. The land includes the portion of the township bordered by County Road 79 on the east, County Road 78 on the south, and Highway 169 on the north and west. That would leave two non-contiguous portions of the township remaining…

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

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