Month: July 2025

150 Years Ago: From the July 29, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee has been full of petty law suits during the past week or ten days—assaults and batteries predominating.

125 Years Ago: From the July 26, 1900 Scott County Argus

John Velz is in his new quarters in the Fred Scherkenbach building. The interior has been made as bright as wall paper and paint can make it, and the shop is a credit to the proprietor’s taste.

125 Years Ago: From the July 27, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The people living along Fuller street both east and west side, from First to Fifth street feel sorely neglected in the sidewalk resolution. They are all citizens worthy of consideration by the council.

100 Years Ago: From the July 31, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Burning refuse in the dump in West Shakopee threatened serious consequences Tuesday evening and in order to prevent the fire from getting beyond control the fire department was called to the scene. While the fire was in progress the electric siren was tested and gave results, telephone calls being received from Prior Lake, Eden Prairie and distant farms to know if the town was burning, owing to the prolonged alarm of the siren.

100 Years Ago: From the July 30, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

No. 5 to Cross River Here

Highway to Run West of Town or Through City on First to Lewis Street.

A committee of Shakopee people, including Mayor E. K. Ries, John H. Moore, Donald Childs, H. C. Schroeder and J. J. Moriarty went to St. Paul last Tuesday for an interview with the state highway commissioner, C. M. Babcock, relative to the permanent routing of highway number 5.

This committee informed us upon their return to this city that in their opinion the highway will be routed in a northeasterly manner west of the State Reformatory for Women, making an under-pass under the railroad tracks west of town, striking first street some distance west of the business district, thence coming east on first street to a point five blocks west of Lewis street, just a short distance east of the John B. Heller property. From this point it would go in a northeasterly manner across the river, keeping west of the present city park and athletic grounds, and continue in the same direction until it reached the present Trunk Highway number 51…

75 Years Ago: From the July 27, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Offer $250,000 Toward Hospital

That the Sisters of St. Francis who now operate a hospital here are ready to provide $250,000 toward the construction of a modern 50-bed hospital to serve the community was disclosed Monday night at a meeting of the Commercial Club committee assigned the responsibility of working out a plan to assist in financing the project…

75 Years Ago: From the July 27, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

To Open School Equipment Bids

Bids will be opened at 8 p.m. Friday evening for much of the new equipment to be installed in the Shakopee school, Al Wurst, superintendent, reported this week.

Material will include desks, tables, shelving, cabinets and workbenches for the classrooms, special rooms, and library plus office furniture and equipment in the lunchroom and shops…

50 Years Ago: From the July 30, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Midland Glass to distribute quart mason jars locally

Midland Glass Company has announced that they will distribute quart size Midland Mason Jars and regular quart size lids to stores in Shakopee…

25 Years Ago: From the July 27, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Panel favors downtown site for new library

A committee charged with recommending a home for Shakopee’s new public library is favoring an unspecified downtown location, possibly even on the existing site at Lewis Street and Third Avenue. How to fund that expanded facility is a question that will likely stir debate at the city level…

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125 Years Ago: From the July 19, 1900 Scott County Argus

A new library of something like a hundred volumes has been established at M. A. Deutsch’s drug store, the number of members being about forty. The books are all works of fiction, and at the end of two years, or sooner if so desired, the library will be dissipated, each member taking a share of the volumes. The Parmalee traveling library has been shelved, by order of the Board of Health, and the last section has not yet been opened.

125 Years Ago: From the July 20, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The Crystal has placed a beautiful new awning in front of the building to protect its customers against the hot rays of the sun when trying to cool off inwardly.

100 Years Ago: From the July 24, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Hoard have bought the E. Southworth residence in this city, Mrs. Hoard’s old home. Mrs. Hoard and children started Wednesday by automobile for San Antonio, Texas, where Mr. Hoard is located. The latter had intended to return here for a vacation but his work in Texas has prevented it and his family will join him there. They expect to spend a year in the southern city.

100 Years Ago: From the July 23, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Sam Ferdman bought a new Chevrolet Sedan from Schesso Bros. yesterday. Sam says he bought the car to have something to occupy his spare time on Sundays.

75 Years Ago: From the July 20, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Buys Stans House

Mrs. Nellie Verkennes moved into the former J. H. Stans home at 128 West Second street Saturday. She purchased the property from Maurice Stans of Chicago, last week.

75 Years Ago: From the July 20, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

New Hospital Plans Underway

Plans for the construction of a new 50 bed hospital in Shakopee were started by a group of local citizens this week. The hospital would cost an estimated $600,000.

In the near future, the Shakopee Commercial Club will have a call for all organizations, church groups, veterans and fraternal units, and civic clubs in this area to send representatives to a meeting to discuss plans for incorporating a fund-raising organization.

It is planned that the hospital would serve the entire area including the towns of Chaska, Jordan, Prior Lake, Savage, and other communities in addition to Shakopee…

50 Years Ago: From the July 23, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Propose 60 unit motel

Northwest Construction and Development Corporation has asked the city of Shakopee to study sewer and water extensions to a site southwest of the Minnesota Valley Mall shopping center. The firm has plans for a 60 unit motel with the possible addition of 40 units at a later date. The proposed study will be conducted by the city engineering staff.

25 Years Ago: From the July 20, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

New store Targets Shakopee

For many local residents, Shakopee has really made it to the big time with this week’s opening of a Target store.

After months of construction and preparation, area residents get a taste of another big-box retailer’s grand opening when Target opens its doors. The store is planning a community party Sunday after Wednesday’s first day of business.

On Saturday evening, Target will have a fireworks display. It is scheduled to begin shortly after dark and spectators are encouraged to watch from the store’s parking lot…

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150 Years Ago: From the July 15, 1875 Shakopee Argus

John Sencerbox has gone East for a big stock of Dry Goods. In a short time the Argus Store will open with a full assortment of Dry Goods, Notions, Dress Goods, Boots and Shoes, as well as Clothing and Hats and Caps. In three weeks time look out for cheap prices, fine goods and trade for cash.

125 Years Ago: From the July 12, 1900 Scott County Argus

A handsome steel arch bridge is replacing the old wooden draw bridge which has for many years spanned the Minnesota river on the Milwaukee line between this point and Chaska. A large crew of men is at work, and the new structure will soon be ready for the rails.

125 Years Ago: From the July 13, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Math Theis was chosen for overseer of the poor by the board of County Commissioners last Wednesday. The choice was a good one. Mr. Theis will prove a good father to the poor, and a fair man in the division of merchandise purchased, from the different business firms.

100 Years Ago: From the July 17, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Charles Strehlow has bought of Mrs. Piske of St. Paul her residence property on Second street for $1200, the agreement being that he is to take possession September 1st. Since the removal of the Piske family to St. Paul the place has been occupied by Wm. Sudmann and family who, at present, have no plans concerning the change they will be compelled to make by reason of the sale.

100 Years Ago: From the July 16, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Considerable excitement was aroused last Sunday evening when a Carver man, driving a Ford car, backed his auto which was parked on First street, in front of the Bowdish Confectionery, into the fender of C. J. Hartmann’s Moon, damaging the body to some extent.

75 Years Ago: From the July 13, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Slot Machine Pays Out Ice

A unique and popular utility service got under way here the past week with the opening of an automatic ice vending machine on West First St. It is operated by Len Brick, proprietor of the local Sanitary Ice company.

Self-serving, it tosses out 25 and 50 pound cakes when the customer drops in coins according to a price schedule posted on the machine. For those who want ice cubes coins can be inserted and the robot will hand you a 7-pound bag of cubes.

75 Years Ago: From the July 13, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Jim Covington Leases Direct Service Station

James B. Covington, of Covington Motor Sales, announces this morning that he has acquired the lease of the Direct Service station on East First Street formerly operated by Leo Zurn.

New name of the station will be “The Auto Fountain”, and the station will specialize in complete service to the motoring public. Facilities will be available to handle the many large trucks now using T. H. 101…

50 Years Ago: From the July 16, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Fee will be required for students taking part in extra, co-curricular activities

All participants in extra curricular or co-curricular activities at Shakopee Junior and Senior High school may have to pay a fee for their participation following action of the School Board Monday evening.

Following over two hours of heated debate, Mrs. Barbara Runge offered a resolution initiating a fee schedule that would pertain to activities financed through the School Auxiliary Fund, a part of the General Fund.

25 Years Ago: From the July 13, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Panel will study cost to refurbish county main jail

As part of an intense examination of what to do with the aging Scott County Jail, a committee studying the issue plans to employ an architect to establish how big the price tag might be to bring the facility into compliance.

Without dissent, the committee agreed to have an architect study the cost of bringing the 42-year-old jail in Shakopee up to the minimum building codes and the cost of implementing the state Department of Corrections’ (DOC) minimum requirements for a correctional facility licensed to hold up to 40 people up to one year…

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150 Years Ago: From the July 8, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Anti-Monopolist came out last week in an entire new dress, and pleasantly boasts that it is all paid for. This indicates continued prosperity, and we trust Mr. Donnelly and his paper will continue to thrive and improve.

125 Years Ago: From the July 5, 1900 Scott County Argus

The five-year-old son of John Stang of Marystown fell down an open well, thirty five feet deep, last Friday, and came through the experience with nothing worse than a cut in his scalp. The well was being cleaned, and the father was just about to descend, when the little tot took his tumble. There was but little water in the well, and the sides are curbed with stone; hence the child’s escape is little less than miraculous.

125 Years Ago: From the July 6, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Kohls & Berens are nearly all straightened out again, after being crowded for some time owing to building the addition and now have a model store building.

100 Years Ago: From the July 10, 1925 Shakopee Argus

While Frank Hirscher was staging a private display of fireworks on the evening of July 4th, sky-rocket deflected from its intended course and landed in the so-called “dump” north of First street, setting fire to a heap of dry branches of trees which had been cut to help fil in the ravine. An unexpected bonfire of huge proportions was the result and a shower of sparks carried by the wind became so menacing to nearby homes that the fire department was called and put out the blaze.

100 Years Ago: From the July 9, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

St. Paul Globe of 1879 Found in St. Mark’s Steeple

J. M. Mathews, steeplejack, has been working on the steeple of the St. Mark’s church for the past ten days, painting the steeple and repairing the damage done by the recent tornado.

Mr. Mathews has handed to us a copy of the St. Paul Globe, dated October 13, 1879. This paper is addressed to George Reis at Shakopee. Several names are scribbled on it in pencil. Among those that we were able to decipher are Frank Buch, Julius A. Coller, and George Reis. Mr. Mathews found it in the steeple of the church. The paper is in a remarkable state of preservation, considering the fact that it is almost fifty years old.

75 Years Ago: From the July 6, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Sold Home

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Menden have sold their home on east Fourth street to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Arndt. The basement for the Menden’s new 3-bedroom home at 6th and Spencer, will be started this week. Until their new house is completed, Mr. and Mrs. Menden are residing in the Mill Pond home, vacated, by Mrs. Menden’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Laddusaw.

75 Years Ago: From the July 6, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Goal of $325 Set For Annual Boy Scout Troop Fund Drive

The annual campaign of Shakopee Troop No. 218, Boy Scouts of America, to raise its share of the Minneapolis Area Council budget started July 1, the troop committee announced this week.

While Shakopee has not been assessed a fixed quota, the troop is attempting to raise $325 through a mail campaign. This money will be used to pay the local share of the Council’s $26,000 budget which covers the services of full-time field men, training, awards, and general administration expense…

50 Years Ago: From the July 9, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Strike continues

Striking workers entered their fourth week of picketing job sites in Shakopee, a result of a construction strike. While some unions have tentatively settled salary terms and contract language, memberships have not voted on contract offers. Some workers, thinking the strike was over, reported for work Monday but were turned away. The new Junior High school, the Scott County Courthouse and several other job sites are affected locally.

25 Years Ago: From the July 6, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Exhibit features history of prisons in Minnesota

An exhibit that traces Minnesota correctional history from the time of the territorial prison in 1853 to the recent opening of the state correctional facility in Rush City will be on public display July 10 in Shakopee.

The exhibit will be open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee. It also marks the 40th year since the state corrections department was formed…

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