Month: February 2026

150 Years Ago: From the March 2, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Mill Elevator is full of wheat but the mill grinds a thousand bushels a day.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 28, 1901 Scott County Argus

As will be seen by the real estate transfers on this page E. J. Hamilton sold his house and lots several blocks southwest of St. Mark’s church to H. H. Heller. The consideration was $500.

125 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Nic Dondelinger’s saloon is now brilliantly lighted with a powerful gasoline lamp, which seems to be a big advance on the gasoline lamps now in general use about town. It is known as the W. A. Salisbury art vapor lamp, and is run by air pressure.

100 Years Ago: From the March 5, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mr. and Mrs. John Theis have taken possession of the home belonging to Misses Mary and Helen Theis, having moved from their apartment in the postoffice block last Saturday to the Theis residence.

100 Years Ago: From the March 4, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Shakopee Bridge Bill Is Passed by Congress

Tribune readers will be interested in the following Associated Press dispatch which appeared in the St. Paul Dispatch last Tuesday evening: “Washington, March 1.—Authorization for Minnesota to construct a bridge across the Minnesota river at Shakopee was provided in a bill passed here today by the House.”

This bill was introduced by August H. Andresen, congressman from this district, in the House of Representatives on February 5th.

75 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

City Will ‘Disappear’ In First Post-War Black Out

The dousing of lights at irregular intervals, which usually is the scene as Shakopee goes to bed each evening, will be missing tonight as the entire city is immediately plunged into darkness for the first black-out since World War II.

Homes, business places, institutions and automobiles will put out all lights promptly at 9 p.m., and will remain in clear sounds. A veil of the complete darkness until the all-siren will announce the start of the black-out, with three blasts at one-half minute intervals heralding the all-clear…

75 Years Ago: From the March 1, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Lack of Quorum Halts Council

Task of verifying the signatures on the petition to abolish the police civil service commission was scheduled for council action at a special meeting last night.

Proponents of the measure pressed for action on it at a tense council session Tuesday night which culminated in three aldermen asking to be excused from the meeting for other engagements. As a result, the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the mayor for lack of a quorum. Mayor Czaia then called the special meeting for last night…

50 Years Ago: From the March 3, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Bank appeal

An appeal of the First National Bank of Shakopee versus the Department of Commerce was heard in the State Supreme Court Monday. The First National Bank is appealing a decision of the fourth judicial district court in Hennepin County upholding the Commerce Commission’s decision granting a certificate of authority for a new Citizens State Bank to transact business in Shakopee.

A decision is upcoming in the next two months, according to a spokesman for the bank.

25 Years Ago: From the March 1, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

New school planned by SACS

$13 million facility to open in fall 2003 for K-eighth graders

Looking to its future, Shakopee Area Catholic Schools (SACS) announced plans to build a $13 million school scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.

SACS’ seven-member Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the project on Feb. 14. The new school will be designed to hold 900 students in kindergarten through eighth grades…

The new school will be located on land east of Sun Path Elementary School, which is on the 2200 block of 17^th Avenue. It will be separated from the public school by a city-owned park…

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 24, 1876 Shakopee Argus

The Twenty-second of February—Washington’s Birthday—was quietly observed in Shakopee. The schools were closed, but business was not suspended.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 21, 1901 Scott County Argus

M. J. Mangan, Belle Plaine, gave an exhibition of a new kind of arc light last evening. Two lights were placed in P. J. Schwartz’s store, and another was suspended on wires midway between the Argus block corner and Flaherty & Lies’ store. The last one illuminated First street in either direction for more than four blocks, and attracted people from all parts of the town.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

The interior of E. W. Fitch’s barber shop has been much improved in appearance by the application of a glossy coat of hard oil upon all the furniture. Wilcox & Oster did the work.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 26, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Bids Called For

Highway Commissioner Babcock on last Tuesday called for bids for grading the 7.3 miles of No. 5 from Shakopee to Rowland and the construction of three 25-foot bridges, at an estimated cost of $150,000. The 7 miles from Rowland to Minneapolis was contracted for last fall and a part of this, section of the road has already been graded. It is expected that this entire piece of road will have been completed this summer to connect with the new bridge at Shakopee which will also be started this summer. The 12 miles of paving between Shakopee and Jordan will be begun as soon as conditions in the spring will permit, the contract already having been let. The balance of the road between Shakopee and Minneapolis will be paved next year.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 25, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

New Creamery May Be Started in Shakopee

Clifford Fowlds, who recently disposed of his interest in the Redman Ice Cream Co., is contemplating the starting of a new creamery in the west room of the Schroeder building on First street. These quarters are now occupied by the Moccasin Soap Co.

Mr. Fowlds informed this office that just as soon as the soap company finds other quarters for its stock and equipment, he anticipates securing the building for the operation of a new creamery…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee To Black Out In March 1 Civil Defense Test

The first black-out in the city of Shakopee since World War II will be held next Thursday night at 9 o’clock.

In line with national and state defense measures that have rapidly been taking shape in recent weeks, Shakopee officials will find out through the mock alert just how well local residents can cooperate in an emergency situation.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

County To Get X-Ray Program

Chest x-rays for all Scott county people school age and over, are on the Minnesota Department of Health schedule for the coming summer, according to word received by Mrs. Sarah Johansson, county nurse.

The health department’s huge x-ray truck will roll into this county July 9 and remain until August 24, Mrs. Johansson said…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 25, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Task force recommends closing correctional institution here

A report submitted to the Minnesota legislature from the Minnesota Task Force on Correctional Institutions has concluded: “The Minnesota Correctional Institution at Shakopee should be closed and the residents transferred to the Metropolitan Training Center at Lino Lakes.”

The report was submitted to the Legislature last week. Copies have not yet been made available to the public…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 22, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Commissioners give OK to Murphy’s plan

Avoiding the role as a potential deal-breaker in the proposed takeover of Murphy’s Landing by Hennepin Parks, the Scott County Board gave its blessing to the concept last week. The board’s action effectively leaves only the formal approvals of Hennepin Parks, Murphy’s Landing and the city of Shakopee as the hurdles left to clear. All three groups have endorsed the idea.

County commissioners endorsed the agreement between Hennepin Parks and the Minnesota Valley Restoration Project, the parent organization of Murphy’s Landing, with minimal discussion. Along with it, the county will continue its annual contribution to Murphy’s Landing, currently $130,000…

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 17, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Miller’s safety platforms and patent couples are soon to be attached to the passenger coaches on the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 14, 1901 Scott County Argus

L. A. Guilbert was down from Henderson Tuesday, and conveyed his interest in Guilbert’s restaurant and confectionery store to M. O. Davis, who has been managing the business since it was started three months ago. Mr. Guilbert was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr. Didra, also of Henderson.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Henry Kohls, of the firm of Lauer & Kohls, took his departure last Tuesday on a trip to the western coast. He will visit with the Shakopee colony at North Yakima, and spend some time looking over the country around Seattle and Tacoma. His stay will be of indefinite length, probably running well into the spring.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 19, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Senior Band Will Reorganize

Plans for the reorganizing of the Shakopee local band are under way, and a meeting of members of that organization will be held this evening to select a committee to go before the Commercial club at its regular meeting next Monday evening and ask for cooperation in reestablishing the baud as a permanent organization. There is every reason to believe that the support asked for will be given and that Shakopee will again have its own local band to represent it. This will in no way conflict with the development of the Boys’ band recently organized and it is probable that the city can boast of possessing two local bands, a senior and a junior organization, within a short time.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 18, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Bridge Plans Now Complete

Cong. Aug. H. Andresen Introduces Bill to Permit Construction Across River.

This office is in receipt of a letter from Congressman August H. Andresen, in which he enclosed copy of a bill which he introduced a few days ago to permit the State of Minnesota to construct a new bridge across the Minnesota river at Shakopee.

As the matter of the construction of this new bridge which is to cross the river at Holmes street in this city is uppermost in the minds of residents of this community, Tribune readers will be especially interested in the bill introduced by Congressman Andresen in the House of Representatives on February 5, 1926. The bill was referred to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce…

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Shakopee Joined To New Bell ‘Dial Network’

Long distance telephone service will be speeded up through raw switching apparatus that now gives Shakopee operators direct connections, through Minneapolis, to a long distance dial network that includes about a thousand cities in the United States.

E. G. Leibold, Northwestern Bell manager here, said the new method of “operator dialing” makes it possible for Shakopee operators to dial directly the numbers in distant cities that are connected to the network.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Rahr Plant Uses Over 10 Per Cent Of State’s Malting Barley Output

Minnesota growers of the 27,700,500 bushels of barley used for malting in 1950 were paid a high premium per bushel over barley sold on the market for feeding purposes, Frank Kiewel, Little Falls, president of Minnesota Brewers Association, reported this week.

Shakopee, one of the leading malting barley producing communities in the state, likewise had a large stake in the production of malt last year.

According to records of the Rahr Malt Co. here, one out of every nine bushels of malting barley processed in the state last year went through the Shakopee plant of the Rahr Company…

50 Years Ago: From the Feb. 18, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Bicentennial wagon train will stop March 3-5

Minnesota will take part in a Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania, it was announced this week by the Shakopee Bicentennial Committee. Shakopee will be visited by a prairie schooner on March 3, 4, 5.

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 15, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

ADC terminates 350 Shakopee jobs

ADC Telecommunications terminated 419 employees in the Twin Cities in the past two weeks, including 350 at its Shakopee plant…

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150 Years Ago: From the Feb. 10, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Having long felt the need of an efficient organization in this city for an emergency in case of fire, it is therefore proposed to hold a meeting at the City Hall on tomorrow (Friday) evening, to organize a Fire Company and adopt the requisite measure to make it a success. Let all the citizens turn out, and especially those who are willing to become members. Be on hand at 7 o’clock sharp.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 7, 1901 Scott County Argus

Hereafter the central office of the Greene & Western telephone company in this city will be open all night and all day Sundays. Heretofore the office was open but from two to four hours on that day. The local exchange now numbers sixty one phones, with new ones being added each month.

125 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Charles Green, who has been filling the position of clerk at the Sterling hotel for the past three months in a faithful and obliging manner, returned the fore part of the week to St. Paul.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 12, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mrs. Robert Riedel, formerly of this city, who is making her home with the Joseph Nagel family, had the great misfortune to slip and fall Tuesday, fracturing her hip. Mrs. Riedel is 88 years of age and the shock and pain are serious to one of her advanced years. Dr. Reiter is attending her.

100 Years Ago: From the Feb. 11, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

While chopping wood for the Boy Scouts last Tuesday afternoon, Jos. Fischer, Jr., had the misfortune to cut an artery in his left foot. Several stitches were taken to close the wound and consequently “Dode” was forced to take a vacation from his school duties at St. Mark’s.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

‘Pete’ Peterson Buys Auto Station

The Auto Fountain, a Direct Service station at 936 E. First St., has been purchased by Duane “Pete” Peterson, it was announced this week.

The station and garage, formerly owned by James Covington, specializes in servicing and washing of cars and will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

75 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Power Use Hits New Peak Here

New records in the consumption of electrical power and energy were set in Shakopee in 1950, records of R. S. Houts, city utilities superintendent, revealed this week.

Power retailing by the City of Shakopee is big business here as evidenced by the sales record of the city. Each year, for the past several years additional homebuilding, increased commercial activity and more industrial output has been reflected in the records of the city light department.

Shakopee continued to be a “very choice customer” of the huge, sprawling Northern States Power Company by purchasing 4,200,000 Kilowatt Hours of power. For this power, the city paid the power combine the neat sum of $56,224.20, the highest single year’s purchase in the city’s history…

25 Years Ago: From the Feb. 8, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Land purchased for soccer fields

While the Shakopee City Council knew the price tag would be high, the cost of land for a proposed soccer complex was deemed worth paying last week as it approved the purchase of two parcels that once produced simple row crops.

Last week the council agreed to purchase 14.88 acres for $877,000. Located near the campus of Sun Path Elementary School south of 17th Avenue, the parcels were purchased from two owners – 10 acres from Gene Hauer and 4.88 acres from Butch Ames…

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