Month: May 2025

150 Years Ago: From the June 3, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Supreme Court has affirmed the judgment of the District Court in favor of Mrs. Spencer against the St. P. and S. C. R. R. for damages to her house and lot by the location of the railroad in Second street.

Also a similar suit by Mrs. Wampach for like damages was determined the same way.

125 Years Ago: From the May 31, 1900 Scott County Argus

Somerville street, from First to Second, has been undergoing repairs at the hands of the street force, and the sand which has characterized that particular piece of road for years is now a thing of the past. Even bicycles can make free with it from now on.

125 Years Ago: From the June 1, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

For Rent—A house of 8 rooms, barn and large garden near St. Mark’s church. Inquire of Hilarius Schlink or Jos. Grafenstatt.

100 Years Ago: From the June 5, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Terrific Gale Sweeps Surrounding Community

A most terrific storm swept across Minnesota from the southwest Tuesday night. It was perhaps the most severe windstorm that ever visited this immediate section. Shakopee, Chaska, Carver, Cologne, Excelsior, Eden Prairie and Hopkins were all in the path of the storm that left dead, dying and many injured people and much destruction of property in its wake. Power, telephone and telegraph lines and poles are down and communication is badly disrupted: buildings and trees twisted and wrecked. All of these towns and communities have been busy digging themselves out of the debris…

Aside from damage to telephone and power lines, the uprooting of trees and overturning of small out buildings, some damage to St. Mark’s church and some of the buildings at the Reformatory farm, not much other damage was done. Wm. Havican is reported as the only injured person in Shakopee. He being busy milking cows when the storm hit the west end of the barn and buried him under the wreckage, fracturing several ribs on his right side and crushing his chest. Mudcura Sanitarium was hard hit and sustains considerable property loss. Dr. H. P. Fischer had one of his arms broken in two places. The large garage was lifted and blown away and cars smashed…

100 Years Ago: From the June 4, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

E. L. Eldred Buys Gem
Has Moved Family Here

E. L. Eldred of Ortonville, Minn., whose purchase of the Gem theater was recently announced in this paper, took possession of the local picture house on June 1. Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have leased the second floor apartment of the John Dean home on East First street where they will reside with their daughters, Winnifred and Evelyn. The family’s furniture has already arrived and they are now getting settled in their new home…

75 Years Ago: From the June 1, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Liberty Bell Replica Due

Shakopee will be included in the itinerary of the U. S. Savings Bonds Independence Drive symbol, the Liberty Bell, it was announced by M. R. Moriarty, county chairman.

The bell is to be here from 3 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, June 2, according to James B. Covington who assisted Moriarty in arranging the schedule…

75 Years Ago: From the June 1, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Razing Of Old School Addition Underway

Razing of the old 1890 wing of the Shakopee public school was started this week by crews of the Kratochvil Construction Company, general contractors erecting the new school addition.

According to Harvey Michaud, construction superintendent, the first work on the razing will be salvaging the interior material such as doors, windows, flooring, and trim. After that is removed, the building will be wrecked by bulldozers or other methods…

50 Years Ago: From the June 4, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Assistant administrator named at Shakopee prison

Dennis Avery has been named the new assistant administrator of the Minnesota Correctional Institute for Women in Shakopee…

25 Years Ago: From the June 1, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

County OKs financing for ADC

Second company plant will cost $78 million, employ about 1,100

Upbeat about the jobs that will be created and the potential benefit to the local economy, the Scott County Board last week unanimously approved the county’s share of a tax-abatement plan that will lead to the expansion of ADC Telecommunications in Shakopee.

The county joined the city of Shakopee in approving the $2.03 million tax abatement, for which ADC has agreed to build a $78 million, 490-square-foot facility that will employ approximately 1,000 and pay an average wage of $18 an hour…

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150 Years Ago: From the May 27, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Moses S. Titus has purchased of McCutcheon that part of his Faribault farm which adjoins Mr. Titus on the east and lies north of First Street, produced eastward. A new street will be laid out and opened along the south line of this purchase, thus extending First street eastward nearly to Pettijohn’s Mill. This will be a great improvement to First street, and add largely to the value of the premises through which the new street runs.

125 Years Ago: From the May 24, 1900 Scott County Argus

The first kiln of brick of the season is now being burned at the City Brick-yard, and will be ready for shipment within a fortnight. There are 300,000 brick in the kiln, including the common, repressed, and ornamental styles. By the way, the yard presents a very busy scene at this season of the year. Thirty three men are employed by Mr. Schroeder, and these, with the up-to-date machinery and appliances of a first-class brickyard, “make the dirt fly” in fine style.

125 Years Ago: From the May 25, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

We are now assured of a local telephone exchange, work has been commenced setting poles, and by next week we expect to be able to report on the patrons as well as the connections to be made, in detail.

100 Years Ago: From the May 29, 1925 Shakopee Argus

B. P. Brandanger of St. Paul, the new ice-cream maker at the Redman Creamery, has rented the Jake Clemens house on West First street. He expects to move his family here as soon as the house has been repapered and his household effects arrive.

100 Years Ago: From the May 28, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Jos. Topic, who was employed at the B. A. Mertz barber shop for some time previous to his being taken ill about nine months ago, returned to Shakopee last week and purchased a half interest in the Mertz barber shop. The new firm anticipates rearranging the shop and making it a three-chair tonsorial parlor.

75 Years Ago: From the May 25, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Set Opening for Monday, May 29

Mr. and Mrs. Art Tuggle, new owners of the Silver Dollar Bar on Lewis street have set Monday, May 29, as the date for the grand opening of their new business.

Former residents of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Tuggle purchased the place from Harold Erickson several weeks ago.

75 Years Ago: From the May 25, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Local Store Windows Show Memorial Theme

The display windows of two business places are carrying out the Poppy Day theme this week.

The Valley Bakery’s window is decorated with several white crosses with poppies, placed in front of the crosses on a green background. There are also pictures of Shakopee men who lost their lives during World War II.

R. C. Kline’s grocery store window has a large white cross standing with a wreath of poppies over it. Then on a green background are the many poppies which spell out “Lest We Forget.”

50 Years Ago: From the May 28, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

St. Francis hospital to enter construction phase

St. Francis Hospital will be in a construction phase for the next several months in order to install the new systems for ventilating and air conditioning of the areas built in 1952 and 1962.

25 Years Ago: From the May 25, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

City feels space crunch

It may purchase building to house engineering

Hoping to delay a seemingly inevitable need for a larger City Hall, the Shakopee City Council has directed staff to negotiate a lease with the option to purchase a former pizza business and upstairs apartment on the west side of Holmes Street…

Plans call for the building to serve as home to the city’s Engineering Department, McNeill said. The department currently has just under 1,500 square feet in City Hall. But as the city grows, that space need is expected to double in the next 10 years, McNeill said…

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150 Years Ago: From the May 20, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Our Justices’ Courts are still full of business. We have not known so much petty litigation in this county since 1857 and 1858 as is prevailing at this time. Hard times and scarcity of money may have something to do with this state of things, but the winding up of some business matters produces most of the litigation.

125 Years Ago: From the May 17, 1900 Scott County Argus

The brick has been removed from the east side of L. Mayer’s residence, on Second and Sommerville streets, and a large addition will be made to the present structure to be used as a first-class boarding house.

125 Years Ago: From the May 18, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Kohls & Berens are building a one-story addition 35 feet long and one 18 feet which will even the building recently vacated by John Mertz and the one occupied by H. P. Marx with the corner store building.

100 Years Ago: From the May 22, 1925 Shakopee Argus

R. O. Brockway had his airplane here Sunday and spent a large part of the day in learning to pilot it. As soon as he becomes proficient and gains full confidence in his ability as a pilot, Mr. Brockway intends to use his machine to carry passengers. What with an airplane, automobiles, hourly busses and two railway lines at the command of the local public Shakopee is strictly up-to-date and takes pride in its very modern facilities for transportation.

100 Years Ago: From the May 21, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The Presbyterian church property has been beautified by the setting out of one-half dozen elm trees on the boulevard. The men of the congregation had a tree planting party. They also made some splendid new improvements in the church parlors, adding to the conveniences of serving large numbers of their dinners. The Ladies’ Aid Society furnished lunch to show their appreciation of the good work.

75 Years Ago: From the May 18, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Modernizing and Enlarging Store

More than 1,700 square feet of additional floor space, a new and modernly designed front will result from remodeling and construction operations now under way at the House of Bargains building on West First street.

Plans call for a 40 by 32 foot addition on the north, and a 15 by 19 foot addition on the east side. Concrete block, glass block, Kasota stone and plate glass are being combined to produce a novel structure, Pat O’Connor, owner, said.

75 Years Ago: From the May 18, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

CC Hears Report On New Hospital

Possibilities of new industries locating here and the erection of a new 70 to 100 bed hospital were the chief topics discussed at the regular monthly meeting of the Shakopee Commercial Club Tuesday night at the Legion club.

After Dr. B. F. Pearson presented a preliminary report on the hospital situation, the club voted to appoint a committee to assist the Sisters of St. Francis if such assistance is needed. Club president R. D. Johnson will name the committee at a later date…

50 Years Ago: From the May 21, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Tax question may be returned to court

A petition has been filed by the City of Shakopee from Minnesota Valley Mall, Inc. for annexation of the 140 acre site west of Shakopee on Highway 169. The matter of annexation has been a question of controversy between the city and Jackson Township.

Minnesota Valley Mall has requested annexation in order to obtain city services, specifically water, sewer and liquor license privileges.

25 Years Ago: From the May 18, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Clinton visit shakes Shakopee

Crowds get chance to meet president

President Clinton wowed ‘em in Shakopee Friday.

Clinton spoke to a crowd of about 500 at the Hauer farm … pushing for the permanent normalization of trade relations with China, and afterward seemed to shake every hand offered to him…

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150 Years Ago: From the May 13, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The City Justices want permission to hold their courts in the City Hall—that is the question.

125 Years Ago: From the May 10, 1900 Scott County Argus

The grounds on which stands the new Presbyterian church are being graded and sodded. The fence surrounding the parsonage adjacent has been removed, and the whole effect is very gratifying to the eye.

125 Years Ago: From the May 11, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Quite a large stock of telephone material is being restored in the old Tribune building awaiting the completion of the local telephone exchange.

100 Years Ago: From the May 15, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Graduation

Shakopee High school will graduate a class of thirteen young people at commencement exercises to be held at Dawson’s hall, Friday evening, May 29^th. There will be no address this year, the program including only school talent…

100 Years Ago: From the May 14, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

M. J. Berens & Sons recently installed a display refrigerator counter in their grocery department which adds materially to the appearance and service facilities of this department as the refrigerator counter is equipped with an ice compartment in connection with the glass covered counter display space.

75 Years Ago: From the May 11, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Sells Interest in Argus-Tribune to Associate

In a transaction effective May 1, James B. Hall, former co-owner of the Argus-Tribune, disposed of his interests to his partner, Frank Strunk who is now the sole owner of the publishing, printing and office supply business.

Mr. Strunk and Mr. Hall had been associated in the operation of the business since 1945 when they purchased the plant from its former owner, W. F. Duffy.

Mr. Hall, recuperating from a recent illness, has made no plans for the immediate future.

75 Years Ago: From the May 11, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Plan Revamping Of Council Room

Possibility of remodeling the city council chambers and the firemen’s meeting room was discussed by the council at their regular meeting Tuesday. In addition, much routine business was transacted.

The city building committee is investigating plans to remove parts of the raised platform upon which the aldermen sit and to replace individual chairs with large tables.

The tables would be large enough for 16 people to sit around. That would provide places for the mayor, nine aldermen, city attorney, recorder and assistant, and visitors.

Melvin Lebens, head of Lebenscraft, cabinet makers, talked to the council and explained the various tables and arrangements that might be made. The committee is to get cost estimates of remodeling the chambers and also redecorating the firemen’s quarters…

50 Years Ago: From the May 14, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

School board reaffirms stand on proposed 11th Ave. construction

Shakopee school board members passed a resolution Monday evening reaffirming a previously stated opinion concerning support of proposed 11^th Avenue that is planned for the northern edge of the new Junior High school site along the Scenic Heights addition and ordered copies be sent to Shakopee city officials.

That same resolution, however, called for all possible attempts to control the flow of traffic on 11^th Avenue and hence through the residential area of Scenic Heights…

25 Years Ago: From the May 11, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Clinton may visit city Friday

President Clinton is expected to visit a farm near Shakopee Friday to promote what he believes are benefits to farmers if trade is normalized with China.

Details had not been released late Wednesday morning, but U.S. Rep. David Minge confirmed plans for the visit. The president had been expected to visit a farm near New Ulm, but the White House determined that Scott County would be more suitable because it’s closer to the Twin Cities where Clinton’s plane would land.

Minge’s press secretary, Jason Kelly, said the congressman got a warm reception earlier this week when he approached the White House about a visit by the president.

Sites were being scouted by the Secret Service and Minge’s office on Wednesday…

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150 Years Ago: From the May 6, 1875 Shakopee Argus

On Saturday John Holloran was arrested for peddling or selling tea by sample within the city limits without a license. His defense appears to be that there is no legal ordinance against so doing. The jury failed to agree, and a new jury was called and the case is on trial again to-day.

125 Years Ago: From the May 3, 1900 Scott County Argus

The fine lawn at Jacob Ries’ residence is being made more beautiful by sodding the entire plot. Cement walks were laid last fall, and the sodding is being laid several inches higher than the walks, except in the space from the street sidewalk to the curbing, which is level. The large shade trees in the grounds, and along the street inside the curb, combined with the sod and the cement walks, make the whole effect very pleasing to the eye, and a credit to the city and the progressive owner.

125 Years Ago: From the May 4, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The remains of Mrs. Wm. Germond were exhumed last Monday, and transferred to a new lot in the Catholic cemetery, which will be beatified and adorned with a large, handsome monument.

100 Years Ago: From the May 8, 1925 Shakopee Argus

The M. J. Berens family are remodeling the interior of their home, Fred Rohlfs being the architect and having the work in charge.

100 Years Ago: From the May 7, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Prison Conference to Be Held Here May 28, 29, 30

The sixth annual conference of the committee on the care and training of delinquent women and girls of the national committee on prisons and prison labor, will be held at the Reformatory for Women in Shakopee, on May 28, 29 and 30.

An educational program will be presented each day during the conference. These programs will include discussions, lectures and talks by some of the ablest speakers obtainable. Everyone in the city of Shakopee and vicinity is invited to the Reformatory on the above dates to enjoy the program offered…

75 Years Ago: From the May 4, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Buys Grocery

Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Trost who for several years operated a 3.2 beer place on Lewis street here, have purchased a grocery in Northeast Minneapolis, it was learned. They sold their business here to Charles Suffridge, formerly of Robbinsdale.

75 Years Ago: From the May 4, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners Study Plans For New Jail

Preliminary plans for a new jail and sheriff’s residence were presented to the county board for their approval at the regular May meeting Tuesday.

Some minor changes in the plans and specifications were decided and the architect, Hubert Swanson, will incorporate the suggestions into the final plans. The voters of the county will be presented the proposition at the general election in the fall…

50 Years Ago: From the May 7, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Tree planting

Shakopee’s American Legion and VFW Post joined in Arbor Day “tree planting” beautification project Saturday morning at the St. Mark’s Catholic cemetery along County Road 16 and at St. Mark’s church in Shakopee…

25 Years Ago: From the May 4, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Church to add wing

Faith Lutheran Church held a groundbreaking event for a new educational wing on April 16. The additional space will be used for classrooms for the church’s growing Sunday school and other educational programs. Plans call for the wing to open by next fall. The church is located south of Shakopee High School at the intersection of county roads 78 and 79.

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