Month: June 2025

150 Years Ago: From the July 1, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The lightning during the heavy storm last week, struck the machine shops in this city and scattered, passing into the different buildings connected with the shops. Quite a number of the employees felt the shock, in a greater or less degree. Some were brought to their knees. The effects were felt by a few for several days, but no serious injury to any person or property resulted therefrom.

125 Years Ago: From the June 28, 1900 Scott County Argus

The draw bridge is now ornamented with colored lights such as are used for switch lights in railway yards. The Minnesota river, be it known, is a navigable stream, and the war department of the United States says that our bridge must carry the usual lights as provided for by the rules of the Light House board for the safety of navigation. Hence the nightwatchman has added the duties of light house keeper to his onerous labors. There are five lights in use, and they are so arranged that they show red up and down the river when the bridge is closed, and those on the draw show the green lights in those directions when the draw is open.

125 Years Ago: From the June 29, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

P. R. Golden has bought half interest in Martin Doherty’s saloon business.

100 Years Ago: From the July 3, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee To Have Another Oil Station

J. W. Oldenberg has purchased from John Kopp the corner lot on Fourth and Sommerville Streets and will erect an oil station thereon. Mr. Oldenberg is using in the construction of the station sheetiron made up in sections already to be bolted together. Work was begun on the structure Wednesday morning and the job will be rushed to completion as soon as possible.

It is Mr. Oldenberg’s intention to handle the Puritan Oil Company products.

100 Years Ago: From the July 2, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The fire department was called to the Ed Schmidt home Tuesday afternoon to extinguish a blaze which started when Miss Magdalen Volz, who is employed at the Schmidt home was cleaning a silk dress with gasoline. The friction caused by the rubbing of the dress in the gasoline ignited a blaze which burned the dress and Miss Volz’s arms. The blaze was immediately extinguished upon the arrival of the fire department. Slight damage was done to the interior of the kitchen in addition to the burns suffered by Miss Volz and the loss of the dress.

75 Years Ago: From the June 29, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Statue Unveiled in Ceremony Tuesday

Shakopee’s replica of the Statue of Liberty was unveiled at dedicatory ceremonies in the courthouse square Tuesday night.

75 Years Ago: From the June 29, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Street Improvements Continue On Lewis

Shakopee street department crews, under the direction of Edgar Bolz, superintendent, are now installing storm sewer culverts at the curb line on Lewis street. The project is similar to one completed in the business section of Holmes street last week.

When the culverts are completed on Lewis street, both that street and Holmes street will be repaved. The extremely high curb on both streets will be eliminated as the grade of the street will be raised.

50 Years Ago: From the July 2, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Statutory charter dead

Shakopee’s Statutory Charter, which was replaced by a new structure of government here in April, died an official death Tuesday. July 1 was the deadline by which cities had to voluntarily adopt either Plan A or Plan B of the reorganizational plan or automatically be reclassified…

25 Years Ago: From the June 29, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

School population up 15.6% this year

With the influx of new residents to Shakopee and surrounding communities, it comes as no surprise that the population of the Shakopee School District has increased 15.6 percent over 1999.

With 23,618 people living within school district boundaries, compared to 20,431 last year, the growth curve shows no signs of leveling off, said Superintendent Bob Ostlund…

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150 Years Ago: From the June 24, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Brown the Photographer is erecting a building at the corner of 2d and Holmes street, and will soon furnish the Shakopeeans with Ice Cream and Confectioneries.

125 Years Ago: From the June 21, 1900 Scott County Argus

The office and lobby, and the parlors at the rear, in the First National Bank have been brightened by new paper upon the walls and ceiling. The designs are artistic, and the workmanship of Peter Paul is made to show to good advantage in the fine effects produced.

125 Years Ago: From the June 22, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

John M. Velz will shortly move his tonsorial parlors into the Schwartz building recently purchased by Fred Scherkenbach.

100 Years Ago: From the June 26, 1925 Shakopee Argus

A big improvement to the city Is now in progress in the boulevarding of Holmes street from Second to Fifth streets, on both sides of the street. At suggestion by E. J. Huber, property owners along the street were interested, presented a petition to the council to have the work done, and are paying for it. The curbing is being put in by Joseph Fischer and crew under the supervision of the street committee of the city council. The work will be finished in a short time and will greatly enhance the appearance of the street. It may even prove an example that other property holders throughout the city will admire and be inspired to follow.

100 Years Ago: From the June 25, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Now Has New Five Piece Orchestra

Four of Shakopee’s young musicians have organized a new orchestra and during the past week have been practising together with Harland Anderson, Minneapolis banjo player, and the fifth member of the orchestra. The local members and the instruments they play are as follows: Miss Agnes DeVenney, piano; Howard Dellwo, violin; Math Majerus, saxaphone and Boyd Bowdish, drums.

75 Years Ago: From the June 22, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Remodeling of Garage Started

First step in the remodeling of the front of the Miklethun Motors building on First street here has been completed with the razing of the old brick face.

The new front will include a 10×12 foot overhead garage door, large display window and business door. Concrete block and brick veneer will constitute the structural material.

Remodeling plans also provide for the building of a show room and office it was learned.

75 Years Ago: From the June 22, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

St. John’s Church To Observe Double Anniversary Sunday

St. John’s Lutheran church will celebrate a double anniversary Sunday as members of the pioneer Shakopee church observe the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the congregation and the sixtieth anniversary of the dedication of the present church…

50 Years Ago: From the June 25, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Lionelles aid Lions project

Shakopee Lionelles were organized in September, 1972, to serve as an assisting arm of the Shakopee Lions Club. Lionelle president his year is Mrs. James Frady.

Last year, Lionelles raised money for a water fountain at Lions Park, which is yet to be installed. This year, projects will be conducted to raise money for playground equipment.

25 Years Ago: From the June 22, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

ADC adding buildings, workers here

Fueled by growing interest in Internet access and a robust economy, ADC Telecommunications is growing at a head-swirling rate, especially here in Shakopee.

Along with a new $78 million facility planned for Valley Park Drive, Highway 169 and County Road 101, ADC is increasing its investment in Shakopee by nearly 1 million square feet of building space and will add approximately 1,500 new and relocated jobs to the city.

The company recently announced the lease of a 162,000-square-foot distribution center in Valley Green Business Park in eastern Shakopee. ADC also recently completed terms on a lease of the 286,000-square-foot building that formerly housed Tsumura International, a Japanese-based fragrance company.

The new leases are in addition to the 490,000-square-foot building that ADC will build with the help of $1.3 million in tax abatements over six years from the city of Shakopee and Scott County…

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150 Years Ago: From the June 17, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Grand opening of the Soda Water season on Saturday next, at the New Drug Store.

125 Years Ago: From the June 14, 1900 Scott County Argus

The office of the Northwestern Telephone company, at Strunk’s drug store, has been much improved by replacing the old single wall office with a neat, modern booth, with double walls and double doors of plate glass. The booth is almost absolutely sound proof. The walls and furnishings are of solid oak.

125 Years Ago: From the June 15, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The Jacob Ries Bottling Works are working their large force of men ‘till 10 o’clock each evening in order to be able to fill all orders.

100 Years Ago: From the June 19, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Masons Buy Busse Block

An interesting real estate deal took place last week when King Solomon Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M., formed a stock company and bought from Emil H. Busse of Minneapolis, the Busse block which the Masonic lodge has rented for several years past. The deed was transferred Friday. There will be no exchanges made in the property, the Masons buying it merely to assure themselves of a permanent hall. The lodge will incorporate later, to handle the property as an incorporation. The price paid was $4,000.

100 Years Ago: From the June 18, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Firemen Elected New Chief Tuesday Evening

At a meeting of the local firemen which was held last Tuesday evening in the firemen’s rooms at the city hall, the resignation of A. F. Huth as fire chief was accepted and V. C. Stein was elected to fill the vacancy caused by his resignation. At this meeting Nick Vierling was also appointed as first assistant fire chief…

75 Years Ago: From the June 15, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Six Rail Crossings Closed to Traffic

Echoes of the objections that arose two years ago when the Railroad and Warehouse Commission ordered the installation of automatic block signals and subsequent closing of grade crossings on the Omaha railroad here, were heard again the past week when citizens discovered they could no longer drive across the track on several streets in East and West Shakopee.

Complying with the Railroad and Warehouse Commission order the rail company has removed the planking and erected barricades on both sides of the track where it is crossed by Pierce and Shumway streets in West Shakopee; and Spencer, Fillmore, Main, Market, Dakota and Prairie streets in East Shakopee.

The system of blockades has eliminated the use of eight crossings that have been in use since the coming of the rail line in 1865 and has the effect of creating 16 dead-end streets, protestors pointed out…

75 Years Ago: From the June 15, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Sheriff To Quit After This Term

John P. Wermerskirchen, sheriff of Scott county since 1941, yesterday announced his retirement from that office at the completion of his present term. W. B. Schroeder, chief deputy, immediately filed for the office with the “full support and backing” of Wermerskirchen…

50 Years Ago: From the June 18, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Crewmen worked Saturday in order to get storm sewer lines under the Milwaukee Railroad tracks. Installation of the storm sewer is nearly completed and construction of the actual road bed is expected to begin later this month.

25 Years Ago: From the June 15, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

City campus to be studied

Building purchase nixed, but space need a concern

Putting aside the potentially controversial purchase of a renovated apartment and pizza shop across the street from City Hall as a temporary answer to a space crunch, the Shakopee City Council unanimously agreed last week to study the possible purchase of land for a campus on which several municipal buildings could be housed…

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150 Years Ago: From the June 10, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Committee appointed by the State Medical Society to investigate the alleged violation of the Code, by Dr. C. Lord of Shakopee, in having presented a bill against the estate of the late Dr. Wakefield for professional services, have decided that, under the circumstances, it was no violation of said Code, and therefore remove the bar to its collection.

125 Years Ago: From the June 7, 1900 Scott County Argus

Mrs. Katherine Yost has made a valuable improvement upon her residence property on First street. A neat front porch has been erected, and the ground enclosed with a new fence.

125 Years Ago: From the June 8, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

A strange case is baffling our physicians at the poor house. One of the inmates named Thomas Dunn, a young man of about 28 years, has subsisted on clear water exclusively for 4 weeks, without eating a morsel of anything, his nature being so constituted that even stimulating drinks are nauseating.

100 Years Ago: From the June 12, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Colonel John C. Coolidge Given Sanico Range

Especially Manufactured Product Of American Range Corporation Shipped To President’s Father In Plymouth, Vermont

Noting from a recent interview with Colonel John C. Coolidge, father of President Coolidge, which appeared in a recent issue of the Literary Digest, in which he expressed a liking for a stove in preference to other methods of heating, the American Range Corporation of Shakopee was prompted to present him with a specially made Sanico wood and coal range.

The presentation was made at the State Fair grounds in front of the grand stand last Monday afternoon before a vast concourse of people assembled to celebrate the huge Norse-American Centennial in the Twin Cities. The nation’s Chief Executive Calvin H. Coolidge, and the presidential party were on the platform when the presentation was made by Miss Elizabeth K. Ries, mayor of Shakopee, to the President, through his secretary, for his father, Col. John C. Coolidge…

100 Years Ago: From the June 11, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Semi-Pro Team to Play Sunday

Belle Plaine To Oppose Local Semi-Pro’s at Riverside Park June 14.

The 1925 baseball season will be officially opened at Riverside Athletic park in Shakopee next Sunday, June 14, when the local semi-pro team will oppose the strong Belle Plaine semi-pro aggregation. Wm. Ries, president of the Shakopee Baseball association and manager of the team, has informed us that the semi-pro team that will represent Shakopee this year will consist of many players who will be new to the local fans and that all of these players come to Shakopee highly recommended as being able to display a good article of the national games—baseball.

Mayor Elizabeth K. Ries will throw the first ball which will officially open the season at Riverside Athletic park next Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock sharp…

75 Years Ago: From the June 8, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Fire Hits Old School House

Razing of the old public school structure here got a “near assist” Friday afternoon when fire broke out in the athletic equipment room in the basement of the old structure.

The blaze was discovered by M. L. Regan who that day began his duties as night watchman on the project. Regan had been on the premises only a short time when, at 5:45, he noticed smoke pouring through the gaping widow holes of the old building…

75 Years Ago: From the June 8, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Historical Group Makes Fall Plans

Plans for the fall meetings of the Scott County Historical Society were formulated at their regular monthly meeting Monday evening in the courthouse. Mrs. Robert Ferru, chairman of the fall tour, announced the names of the speakers and historic sites to be visited on the tour. Mrs. Donald Ries, president of the society, will open the meeting with a historic summary. Mrs. Roman T. Schumacher will speak on the old Pond mill, William Duffy will relate the history of the Faribault house and Julius Coller will sketch the colorful past of the old Murphy house.

50 Years Ago: From the June 11, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Lack of law library at MCIW draws legal action from MCLU

Minnesota Civil Liberties Union (MCLU) today announced that it has filed suit in United States District Court in Minneapolis, challenging the fact that women prisoners at the Minnesota Correctional Institution for Women in Shakopee do not have access in law library facilities at the institution…

25 Years Ago: From the June 8, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

County census count a success

With apparent ease, the counting of Scott County residents is expected to be completed this week. But appearances can be slightly deceiving.

The ahead-of-schedule completion of field work for the 2000 U.S. census in the county is the result of the job done by a group of “enumerators” – paid employees who go out into the field and collect census forms that were not mailed back. They have logged long hours and are staunchly determined to make sure every address they have is included in the decennial census.

This week, local census officials said the count of county addresses is 95 to 98 percent complete, with just information from a relatively few to be gathered.

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