Month: December 2025

150 Years Ago: From the Dec. 30, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Dog Stolen.

A brown colored Setter dog pup (nearly grown) was stolen from the undersigned about four weeks ago. He will answer to the name of “Sport.” If promptly returned I will call it strayed. If not, I will pay a liberal reward for information that will lead to his recovery and the conviction of the thief.

J. L. MacDonald.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 27, 1900 Scott County Argus

Mike Berens disposed of 730 pounds of nuts during the three or four days before Christmas.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 28, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

H. H. Strunk & Sons, who were local agents for the atlas check scheme in vogue in eight or ten places of business during the past year, received the last consignment of books the first of the week. They report that 97 atlases were distributed, each representing $75 worth of trade.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 1, 1926 Shakopee Argus

The Jacob Ries Bottling Works, Inc., in accordance with their annual custom remembered friends and patrons with artistic holiday greetings and the neat little desk calendars that are so great a convenience to many who are accustomed to receive them.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The moulders and mounters of the American Range Corporation are enjoying a week’s vacation from their work while the latter firm is taking an inventory of their stock.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 28, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Moving to New Home

Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Weiler, son Dan and daughter Susan are moving to their new home on South Holmes street today. The home they were occupying … has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Lewis of Viola, Ill. Mr. Lewis is a traveling engineer for the Bituminous Casualty Co. of Rock Island. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have two children.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 28, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Senate Restores Federal Funds For New Hospital Construction Friday

That Shakopee may still receive federal funds, in the present fiscal year, for the construction of a new $750,000 St. Francis hospital was indicated in word from Washington Saturday morning.

In a telegram to the Valley News, Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota advised that the U. S. Senate, in action taken Friday, had restored federal funds for hospital construction amounting to $75,000,000. The measure is now before the House of Representatives.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 31, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Metro Council approves federal wildlife refuge plan for valley

The Metropolitan Council Thursday approved a federal plan for development of a 6,500-acre National Wildlife Refuge in the Minnesota Valley.

In a related action, the Council endorsed a proposal made by Sen. Walter Mondale, DFL-Minn. to include 10,900 acres of Minnesota River flood plain in the refuge.

The proposal was presented to the Council by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It would designate four units of land between Bloomington and Louisville township in Scott County as a National Wildlife Refuge.

The Mondale proposal calls for inclusion of the flood plain between Fort Snelling and the Louisville swamp, south of Carver, in the refuge area…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 28, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee buildings included in book on state ‘Vanished Places’

Shakopee has earned a place in the pages of a new book titled “Lost Minnesota: Stories of Vanished Places.”

Author Jack El-Hai has compiled photos and profiles of 89 historically significant buildings and properties around the state that are no longer standing, including two in Shakopee.

Among the array of noteworthy sites is the Reis Block, once located on the northeast corner of First Avenue and Holmes Street in the downtown commercial district, as well as the Merchants Hotel, part of a bygone era on Second Street East. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

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

150 Years Ago: From the Dec. 23, 1875 Shakopee Argus

The Board of County Commissioners have to elect a Superintendent of Schools at their January meeting. We trust there will be no lack of suitable candidates to select from.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 20, 1900 Scott County Argus

Christmas trees, 10c. and up, at M. Berens’.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 21, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

Joseph Leuwer had planned to have a big opening of “The Exchange” for next Saturday night, and had engaged fine music and a couple of roast pigs and turkeys and other good things to enliven his hospitality. But Saturday happens to be one of the Ember days, when the eating of meat is abstained from, hence the date of the opening has been set for a week from Saturday night.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 25, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Shakopee To Have Mid-Winter Carnival

A big mid-winter, indoor carnival and Mardi Gras is assured for Shakopee and plans to put it over in a big way are already in the forming. Officers and representatives of both the Shakopee Commercial Club and Shakopee Post No. 2, American Legion, under whose auspices and sponsorship the mammoth affair will be staged, met at the Rest rooms Tuesday evening and organized to carry the plans to a successful conclusion.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 24, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

The members of the local hiking club met last Thursday evening and hiked three miles out on the Marystown road. On Sunday afternoon they again met and took a most interesting hike along the Minnesota river. They followed the banks east three and a half miles, and then returned. Both hikes were reported as having been thoroughly enjoyed.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 21, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Mayor Signs Resolution Establishing Commission

Timed to become effective April 1, 1951, the resolution establishing a utilities and building commission for Shakopee was signed by Mayor Clarence J. Czaia Thursday. The resolution was adopted by the council at its meeting Dec. 12.

Members of the three-man commission will be C. B. Fricke who will be the chairman and a member for a one-year term, Dr. J. E. Ponterio who has been named for a two-year term, and, R. C. Condon, for a three-year term…

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 21, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Burglars Get $40 At Auto Fountain Monday

The Scott county sheriff’s office and Shakopee police are investigating a break-in at the Auto Fountain on East First Street early Monday morning. The burglary was discovered by Officer John Roepke shortly before 4 a.m. that morning.

Stolen was about $40 in change from a desk drawer and ten cartons of cigarettes according to Robert Ryan. Entry to the service station was attained by breaking a glass window at the rear of the building.

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 24, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

Shakopee Dairy Queen gets Silver Cone Award

Wallace and Barbara Jenkins, operators of the Dairy Queen store at 835 W. First St., Shakopee, have won American Dairy Queen Corporation’s Silver Cone Award, according to an announcement by Harris Cooper, president.

The Silver Cone Award recognizes that Jenkins’ store recorded a 500 gallon increase in mix usage over the previous year…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 21, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Court system improvements approved

Rather than relying solely on additional staff to manage the mountain of work Court Administration faces each day, Scott County is relying on a mix of additional personnel, technology and organizational change that should allow the department to run more efficiently.

The county concedes it has left Court Administration somewhat understaffed in the wake of an increasing caseload, a condition that contributes to an inefficiently run court system… Earlier this year, Beverly Bright, a consultant from American University, studied the operations of the county’s court system, funded by the First Judicial District. Among Bright’s recommendations were that the county should hire a minimum of four staff just to creep up to the bottom of the average range of staff per chambered judge…

Unanimously approved by the County Board, the county’s plan is to add 2.5 full-time equivalent (FTEs) staff in addition to the one full-time position hired in 2000. The 2.5 FTEs for 2001 will cost the county approximately $75,000 and are included in the levy and budget for 2001. But the county is also planning to make a significant increase in the use of technology and also reorganize the department further in an effort to further enhance Court Administration’s overall efficiency.

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

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

150 Years Ago: From the Dec. 16, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Had not the Trustees of one of our public schools better inquire into the report over which the school boys are disgusted that a teacher appeared in school drunk. A drunken teacher in school, a drunken clergyman in the pulpit, and a drunken judge in court are about the worst features in civil society. If the report is false, let the Trustees correct it; if true, then let us have no school rather than suffer under such a disgraceful scandal.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 13, 1900 Scott County Argus

A chimney fire at the Occidental hotel called out the fire department on Saturday, but as usual the fire was out before the men reached the place.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 14, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

The Heidenreich saloon, established in 1861, was last Saturday sold to John Classen, late of the firm Peffer & Classen, harness makers. Mr. Classen is a popular young man, and he starts out with every prospect of success. August Lies ahs been engaged as bartender.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 18, 1925 Shakopee Argus

C. J. Hartmann has on display in his show window a specially packed Christmas box of apples sent to him by his brother A. B. Hartmann of Yakima. The fruit is immense in size and is a Christmas gift that any one would prize, the box containing three kinds of delectable hand picked apples, the Delicious, Greenings and Winesaps.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 17, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Local Hiking Club Members Took Two Enjoyable Hikes

About fifty members of the Shakopee Hiking club congregated on last Friday evening, December 11, for the first time since the club’s organization a few weeks ago, and hiked as far as the Mudcura Sanitarium and back. After the hike a short meeting was held at the public rest room and several new members enrolled in the club.

Last Sunday afternoon the club members hiked about three miles east on Highway No. 5. Hereafter the hikers will meet every Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening at the public rest room at 3 p. m. and 7:30 p. m. respectively, at which times hikes to various different places will be taken…

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 14, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Bought Main Street Bar

R. H. Thompson is the new owner of the Main Street Bar, taking possession two weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and the former’s father, Albert Thompson, moved here from Minneapolis and are occupying the apartment over the Gamble store.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 14, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

To Cast Kitchen Utensils Here

Shakopee added another industry this week when the city council rented the former Huss foundry the NYA camp to the Northland Aluminum Products, Inc. of St. Louis Park…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 14, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

Feb. 20 school vote set

Board is unanimous on $18.1 million question

It’s final.

Voters in the Shakopee School District will head to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to cast their ballots and decide the fate of an $18.1 million school bond referendum.

The official size and scope of the funding request was approved by School Board members Monday, following a series of discussions at meetings and work sessions over the past six months…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

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

150 Years Ago: From the Dec. 9, 1875 Shakopee Argus

Mr. John Merk has started a Cigar Factory in Shakopee.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 6, 1900 Scott County Argus

At St. Mark’s church last Sunday the pews were rented for the ensuing year. The revenue derived therefore amounts to from $3,000 to $4,000, and defrays the expenses of the parish, besides liquidating a debt upon the church.

125 Years Ago: From the Dec. 7, 1900 Shakopee Tribune

An important business change of the week was the transfer of the elegant “Exchange” saloon, for the past six years run by Peter Arensbach, of the firm Hickey & Arensbach, to Joseph Leuwer of Lakeville. The retirement of Mr. Arensbach from the business circles of Shakopee will be a distinct loss, for his public spirit and progressive ideas have been of great value to the city in many ways and many instances, notably in bringing the street fairs to a high pinnacle of success. He will remain here this winter, however; and it may be that he will after that enjoy travel for a time in the old country. Beyond this he has formed no plans. All will hope he may decide to keep his residence in Shakopee. Regret at his retiring will not depreciate from the welcome accorded Mr. Leuwer, the new proprietor; and he and his family will find Shakopee a pleasant home.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 11, 1925 Shakopee Argus

Esch-Manaige Case

A decision and findings in the Geo Esch-Manaige case involving the question of title to the springs commonly known as the “Faribault Springs,” was handed down by Judge C. M. Tifft last Monday. Inasmuch as there seems to be some misunderstanding as to the correct interpretation of the findings of fact we are not prepared at this time to say just what the legal rights of the parties concerned are in the premise.

100 Years Ago: From the Dec. 10, 1925 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Radio Fan Picks up Havana, Cuba

Misa Grace Griffth, an ardent radio fan of this city, succeeded in picking up Havana, Cuba one evening last week, on her five tube Arbifone radio set.

Miss Griffth picked up the Havana station on the wave length between WCCO of Minneapolis and WLW of Cincinnati.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 7, 1950 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Change Name

Clarence J. Czaia and Levi Mallan announced this week they have changed the name of their firm to Star Metalcraft. The business was formerly known as Wolf-Mallan, Inc. Czaia and Mallan bought the interests of Fred Wolf, several months ago.

75 Years Ago: From the Dec. 7, 1950 Shakopee Valley News

Legion Sponsors Football Dinner

Coaches and members of the Shakopee high school football squad will be honored at an appreciation banquet to be given by the Shakopee Post No. 2, American Legion, at the club next Wednesday evening.

Shakopee was co-champions of the Minnesota Valley conference this year. John Kline is chairman of the entertainment committee and promises a good program for the evening. The dinner will be served by Mrs. Nellie Verkennes…

50 Years Ago: From the Dec. 10, 1975 Shakopee Valley News

County board asks department heads to make voluntary cuts

The Scott County board of commissioners yesterday asked county department heads to come up with voluntary budget cuts to eliminate a $32,954 budget deficit in the county budget.

“We are considerably over what we can levy in the county,” chairman William Koniarski told them. “This is a very serious matter. The board still feels there are additional cuts that we can make.”

Koniarski added that the new courthouse providing extra space, new equipment, switchboard operators and a reproduction room should increase the efficiency of the present employees. This in turn, he said, should cut down on man hours. He suggested sharing employees and the possibility of pooling resources…

25 Years Ago: From the Dec. 7, 2000 Shakopee Valley News

An end to an era in Shakopee

It may be the end of an era, but the Berens legacy lives on in downtown Shakopee.

In a labor of love that spanned more than 125 years, Bill Berens and his brothers, father, uncles and grandfather before him ran a family-friendly, mom-and-pop grocery store that gained a reputation for competitive prices, quality products and neighborly service.

Berens Super Market continues to thrive under new ownership at the corner of Second Avenue and Fuller Street — just one block west of the original general store that opened its doors in 1874.

The decision to retire did not come easily to Bill, who sold his family’s supermarket to an Inver Grove Heights couple in late August…

Subscribe to receive email updates when new posts publish.

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