Month: March 2026

150 Years Ago: From the March 30, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Strunk & Son have just received the largest assortment of Wall Paper ever brought to this city.

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

Wm. Thiede’s confectionery store has been brightened by a new coat of wallpaper and paint.

125 Years Ago: From the March 29, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Frank Buch is this week remodelling the barn at the rear of his two fine brick houses on First street occupied by N. S. Schaefer and John Nachtsheim. These houses stand upon the site of the old Wampach wagon factory, and the barn was constructed out of the dry kiln, rather an ungainly structure on account of its height. Ten feet of the brick walls will be removed from the top, adding much to the general appearance of the whole property, and the brick from this removed portion are to be used in the walls of the new brick residence building he is to erect this spring on the corner lot adjoining.

100 Years Ago: From the April 1, 1926 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Anthony B. Wise, who recently bought F. X. Hirscher & Sons undertaking business, arrived Monday from Lake City and is making arrangements to take over the business after Easter. He will remain here permanently and is domiciled at the John Hirscher home. Mr. Wise’s announcement will appear in a later issue.

75 Years Ago: From the March 29, 1951 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Council Hears Complaints; Accepts Dedicated Tract

Parking, garbage collection and water service problems confronted the city council at its meeting Tuesday night.

The council also adopted a motion to accept title to parts of lots 2 and 3, block 52, at the corner of Fourth and Filmore streets. Quitclaim deeds to the property, offered by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Finn, provide that the site be dedicated to the Shakopee Girl Scout troop and that its use be at the discretion of the troop officers.

Motion to accept the dedicated property carried provision for a letter of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Finn for their generous gift…

75 Years Ago: From the March 29, 1951 Shakopee Valley News

Firemen Furnish Water To Engine

Firemen were called to administer “first aid” to a panting Milwaukee Road locomotive in Shakopee Saturday afternoon. When the engine crew noted that their water supply was dangerously low, and fearing an explosion, they called firemen. The local department pumped water from a hydrant into the locomotive and the engine proceded back to Farmington. Firemen were also called out into the country Wednesday night to what proved to be a false alarm.

50 Years Ago: From the March 31, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

St. Peter’s Episcopal church re-established

The St. Peter’s Episcopal Church has been re‑established in Shakopee. The first service was held last Sunday at Calvary United Methodist Church location…

25 Years Ago: From the March 29, 2001 Shakopee Valley News

Officials ready for flooding

Although local emergency management officials are still expecting spring flooding along the Minnesota River, including in Shakopee, some of the more dire predictions have been shelved in favor of more moderate expectations.

This week, Tim O’Laughlin, Scott County’s deputy emergency management director, said he’s expecting some flooding of the lower areas of Shakopee. They include Huber Park, some lower portions of County Road 69 near Rahr Malting, County Road 101 north of the Lewis Street Bridge, Highway 41 between Shakopee and Chaska, and some of the lower areas of the Valley Haven Mobile Home Park on County Road 101. Other areas of concern include the Peavey grain terminal and possibly the lower level of Dangerfield’s Restaurant…

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150 Years Ago: From the March 23, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Phillips & Co. will be prepared to take Pictures in their Gallery on the 26^th. Gallery near Hinds’ Block.

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

Bicycle tags will be on sale within a week or two. The price will be 50 cents. Wheelmen at Bloomington are requested to buy their tags here and assist in raising funds to complete the Shakopee-Minneapolis path.

125 Years Ago: From the March 22, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

The Jacob Ries Bottling works are putting a new drink on the market, called Ironbrew, a non-alcoholic life renewer, prepared from receipts of a celebrated Carlsbad physician. Having medicinal properties it is necessary to put a 5/8 cent revenue stamp on each package, at present; but the law has been repealed to take effect in July. The demand for Ironbrew is greatest in Wisconsin.

100 Years Ago: From the March 26, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Papers Consolidate

Last Saturday a deal was closed between D. W. Byrne, owner and publisher of the Shakopee Tribune, Wm. Duffy, owner and publisher of the Shakopee Argus, whereby the two publications were merged into one, which, on April 1st and thereafter will be known as the Shakopee Argus-Tribune. Wm. F. Duffy is to be managing editor and D. W. Byrne business manager of the consolidated publication. The Tribune plant will be moved to the Argus Building just as soon as all arrangements for moving can be completed. Thursday will be the publication day of the Argus-Tribune and its first issue will be on next Thursday, April 1st. With this issue the Argus concludes No. 20 of Volume 65 and the Tribune with its issue of yesterday completed No. 1 of Volume 31.

100 Years Ago: From the March 25, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

Contract Let for Grading Between Here and Rowland

Among the highway contracts let during the past week was one for grading 7.3 miles on trunk highway No. 5 between Shakopee and Rowland, and three 25-foot bridges, all at $144,282. Nolan Bros. of Minneapolis were the low bidders on this contract, the awarding of which was withheld pending satisfactory right-of-way settlements.

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

New Girl Scout Troop Organized

Shakopee will have a new Girl Scout troop, the result of 15 girls “flying up” from Bluebird class, it was announced this week by Mrs. W. B. Schroeder, leader.

Mrs. Schroeder will have charge of the new Scout group, in which are openings for five more girls, she said. They should be 10 years old, or 9 and going into the fifth grade…

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

CC Considers New Industries

A concerted effort to attract new industry will be made this year, it was agreed after a stimulating meeting of the Shakopee Commercial Club Tuesday evening in the Legion club.

After John Metcalf, chairman of a program committee presented his report, a lively discussion started that culminated in a motion directing President Ray Siebenaler to appoint a special industrial committee…

50 Years Ago: From the March 24, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Minnesota Valley Mall will open to Scott, Carver residents March 25

Minnesota Valley Mall, located on Highway 169 and West 10th Avenue in Shakopee, will open to the general public on March 25th, according to Mavon Marrin, property manager for Watson Centers, Inc…

Minnesota Valley mall has a total of 135,000 square feet of retail space and over 20,000 more square feet of mall area and service areas.

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

Wal-Mart may join retail mix

City apparently will attract another major chain’s store

Shakopee continues to add to its apparent destiny as an area retail hub. Kmart recently expanded its presence in the city, and Target opened its doors here last year. Recently it was reported that Kohl’s department store would open in town.

And now Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, is eyeing a location in the Shakopee Crossings development in the northeastern corner of the city.

Last week, Shakopee Crossings Limited Partnership submitted plans to develop a 149,551-square-foot Wal-Mart. It would sit on a parcel of approximately 80 acres bordered by Highway 169 on the north, County Road 18 on the east and Southbridge Parkway on the south. The company’s plans include an additional 74,702 square feet for expansion…

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150 Years Ago: From the March 16, 1876 Shakopee Argus

John McMullen has lately renovated his store room with a new coat of paint, and has just received a large stock of Hardware, Tin-ware, Copper, Hollow and Japan-ware, to which he invites the especial attention of those wishing anything in his line. These goods will be sold at Granger prices—that means the lowest price for cash.

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

The Cadet Band is practicing regularly for its grand concert, which is to take place at Lander opera house on Monday evening, April 8th, and it is safe to predict that they will present their hearers on that occasion with something in the music line worth listening to. The concert is to be followed by a dance.

125 Years Ago: From the March 15, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Henry Mergens has been elected chief of the fire department, vice E. J. Gellenbeck, resigned. Mr. and Mrs. Gellenbeck expect to be in North Dakota a great part of the summer, where Mr. Gellenbeck has pre-empted a fine claim.

100 Years Ago: From the March 19, 1926 Shakopee Argus

City’s White Way Making Progress

It will not be long now before the active work of installing Shakopee’s new lighting system in the business district will be commenced in accordance with the plan worked out and agreed to by the committee representing the commercial club and the citizens of Shakopee, including Edw. J. Huber, H. C. Berens, A. M. Strunk and Wm. F. Duffy, working in conjunction with the city council.

Bids on the necessary material which is ready to go into the construction of the new system were duly called for by the council. Several bids were received, one of which was accepted and a contract was entered into for the delivery of the material called for. It is likely that the job will be started as soon as conditions will permit.

100 Years Ago: From the March 18, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

E. J. Sweeney was re-elected superintendent of the Shakopee public school at a meeting of the Board of Education which was held last Thursday evening. This meeting was a special meeting of the board held for the purpose of electing a superintendent for the coming year.

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

Shakopee To Get New PM

Senate confirmation of the appointment of Cormac A. Suel as Shakopee postmaster was announced last week, it was learned.

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

John Roepke Resigns As Night Officer

Resignation of John Roepke as night police officer was accepted by the Police Civil Service Commission at a special meeting Saturday evening.

Bernard Arnoldi was appointed as temporary night watchman until suitable civil service tests can be prepared and an examination called. Arnoldi has been the relief man tor the past year.

Roepke resigned to accept a position as patrolman with the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. He reported for duty this week but has not been assigned yet to a specific area…

50 Years Ago: From the March 17, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Dr. Pearson to receive honor in April

Dr. Bror F. Pearson, Shakopee, has been selected as recipient of the Franciscan International Award.

The award is given annually by the world-wide Order of Friars Minor Conventuals to an individual or group for having promoted in an extraordinary way Christian Idealism…

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

Controversial project’s land may be sold

Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., one of the region’s leading developers of commercial and office properties, is considering the acquisition of land eyed for a controversial business park at the intersection of county roads 16 and 83 in Shakopee.

Ryan Companies has a contract to purchase the 330-acre property from Valley Green Business Park. The company has submitted an application for a preliminary plat for approximately 221 acres of land Valley Green Business Park has planned to develop as Valley Green Corporate Center, located on the northeast corner of county roads 16 and 83. The proposed sale also includes 9 acres Valley Green owns on the northwest corner of that intersection…

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150 Years Ago: From the March 9, 1876 Shakopee Argus

Mr. Latham’s school, East Shakopee, will close on Saturday, but the term will be continued on Monday by Miss Silver.

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

An important business change of the week was the purchase by Wm. Thiede of the stock of Mike Berens’ confectionery store. Mr. Berens retires from business after a siege of twenty-two years, or since 1879, when he bought the store from Mrs. George Bollman. Mr. Berens and family will next week remove to Salem, Ill., to make their future home with Mrs. Berens’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Schwartz. Mrs. Berens is their only daughter, and it is the desire of the old folks that she be with them in the evening of their lives. It is Mr. Thiede’s purpose to carry on the business and will this summer devote the west room to an ice cream parlor.

125 Years Ago: From the March 8, 1901 Shakopee Tribune

Lawrenz Beran has sold his residence property in East Shakopee to Albert Raatz, of Chaska, the consideration being $700. Mr. Beran has gone to New Ulm to enter the Old Folks’ Home. The property sold is described as lots 8, 9 and 10, block 30, East Shakopee, Minn.

100 Years Ago: From the March 12, 1926 Shakopee Argus

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ehrmantraut are moving from the Hartz building on Second street to rooms over the Scherkenbach Hardware and Electric Supply store on Holmes street.

100 Years Ago: From the March 11, 1926 Shakopee Tribune

That the spring season is near at hand is evidenced in the activity shown in the number of sales made by Schesso Bros. during the past week. During this period the local firm sold an Oldsmobile sedan to E. H. Brehaney, an Oldsmobile coach to Chas. Cassellius of Prior Lake and a Chevrolet truck to Gerhart Boettcher of Jordan.

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

Hospital Preliminary Plans In State Authorities Hands

Preliminary plans for the new St. Francis hospital to be erected in Shakopee are now awaiting approval of state authorities, it was learned this week.

As soon as the state OK has been received architects will begin the job of preparing detail plans upon which contractors will base their bids.

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

School Addition Nearly Finished

With the final razing of the old 1890 portion of the Shakopee public school, the new school addition was nearly completed this week.

All classrooms with the exception of the home economics, industrial arts and commercial sections have now been finished. Equipment for those sections arrived this week and workmen started installation activities in that wing of the structure.

50 Years Ago: From the March 10, 1976 Shakopee Valley News

Fahey submits resignation, management ordinance discussed

William E. Fahey, city clerk-administrator in Shakopee since late 1973 submitted his resignation to the Shakopee City Council at their meeting Tuesday night.

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

New city waste hauler readies for transition

For the first time in over a decade, residents inside Shakopee’s urban area will have a new garbage and recycling hauler. This, week, the public will see the first signs of the transition from Waste Management to Dick’s Sanitation.

Those signs will come in the form of new 30-, 60- or 90-gallon garbage and recycling bins delivered to homes. The recycling bins will be inside the upright garbage bins along with printed information about the services that Dick’s Sanitation plans to offer Shakopee’s 6,000-plus residential customers. In a letter from Waste Management to its customers, the company says its residential services will conclude March 17. The company asked its customers to have their bins ready for pickup on that day…

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