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Remember When

Remember When – Jan. 9, 2021

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 9, 1896 Scott County Argus

Wm. Eschman removed last Tuesday to St. Paul, where he has secured a position as engineer in the Washburne building. Mr. Eschman has been engaged for a number of years in the Jacob Ries Bottling Works of this city, and his good qualities have become so generally known, that news of his advancement will be heard with pleasure by all.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

There is a fast growing spirit of resentment among the citizens of Shakopee against conditions in the city and the Tribune has heard some strong condemnation the past week of the way in which laws are being violated here particularly in regard to “moonshine” and it looks to us like a revolt is brewing against present conditions.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 10, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Bloss Variety Store Sold to Mrs. Jos. Bisek

In a transaction completed last Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Bloss sold their variety store to Mrs. Joseph Bisek.

The new owner has taken possession of the business and will be assisted by Miss Mildred Lauer. Mr. and Mrs. Bloss who have operated the store the past 10 years, plan to remain in Shakopee and will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved vacation.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 13, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Proposed Shakopee City Charter Revision Seen As “Vital”

Dr. Bror F. Pearson, chairman of the Shakopee Charter Commission, described the adoption of the revised charter as a vital move for the city, “not only for right now, but for the future.”

But the proposed charter changes, as approved unanimously by the Shakopee Common Council at its last meeting, have a long way to go and some observers predict some stringent opposition.

Police Chief R. G. Thielen has already voiced opposition to the abolition of a Police Civil Service Commission, to be replaced by a merit board.

Dr. Pearson, however, said that he thinks that opposition will be negligible when people understand what the charter revision will accomplish. Dr. Pearson said Shakopee’s urban location is an important consideration…

He said there is undue concern over the word “manager,” the title of the man who would be charged with carrying out council policy. “He could be called an administrator as well,” Dr. Pearson said…

The proposed charter, as approved by the Council, will be sent to the Minnesota Legislature for enactment into a special law which will be voted upon by voters in Shakopee before it would become effective…

The proposed new charter provides for the election and salary of the mayor and other council members, for a city manager and establishes his duties, for certain budgetary matters, for the conduct of certain municipal affairs, and other matters.

The city would be divided into wards and the common council would have power to divide wards into precincts. Wards would have as equal number voters as possible. When one ward had 20 or more per cent more than any other ward, boundary lines could be changed to normalize the situation…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 11, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Canterbury proposes card clubs for track

Canterbury Park is proposing to add a card club at the Shakopee horse track that would feature … of poker, similar to card clubs that operate in conjunction with races at some tracks in California. The proposal, which track officials say will boost revenues, attendance and wagering on horse racing, will require passage of a bill in the state Legislature that the track wants to introduce this year…

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Remember When

Remember When – Jan. 2, 2021

A look back at what happened in Shakopee history. You may also find this column in the Shakopee Valley News.

125 Years Ago: From the Jan. 2, 1896 Scott County Argus

Two more cases of diphtheria developed in W. F. Witt’s family this week, and now but one out of eight children has escaped an attack. Two have recovered, and four are now suffering with the disease.

100 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1921 Shakopee Tribune

The Masons have moved into their new quarters in the Busse building at First street and their first meeting there will be held next Wednesday evening, January 12th. The hall will be dedicated and degree work will be done. The following evening the Eastern Star will hold their installation of officers.

75 Years Ago: From the Jan. 3, 1946 Shakopee Argus-Tribune

Commerce Club Names Officers

J. A. Metcalf Elected President. Membership Booster Now 104

After listening to the report of its 10-man nominating committee headed by Roman J. Kopp, the Shakopee Commercial club elected its permanent officers at a meeting here Wednesday night.

J. A. Metcalf was named president, W. F. Duffy vice president and W. J. Mohrbacher, secretary-treasurer. Members of the board of directors are J. A. Coller and Ray Siebenaler for one-year terms, and J. J. Cavanaugh and Donald Ries for two-year terms.

The report of the membership committee revealed that 104 men had joined the organization and paid their membership dues.

50 Years Ago: From the Jan. 6, 1971 Shakopee Valley News

Pearson Elementary Design To Be Displayed Nationally

The Pearson Elementary School building will be displayed at two national conventions during the coming months, Dr. Robert Mayer, superintendent of Shakopee School District 720 informed members of the school board Monday night.

The building was chosen to be displayed at the National School Board Association Convention at Philadelphia, Pa., in April and at the National Superintendent’s Association Convention at Atlantic City, N.J., in February.

Presenting the displays are the school’s architects who had the school photographed, and entered the photos and floor plans for consideration to a panel of architects.

Pearson will be one of several hundred schools across the nation displayed and will be in competition for one of the 24 awards presented. Thousands of buildings were submitted to the judging panel…

25 Years Ago: From the Jan. 4, 1996 Shakopee Valley News

Board gets highway project update

Scott County Transportation Coalition Chair Bill Koniarski last week updated the Scott County Board on the last of the coalition’s project goals, the Shakopee Bypass.

The earth-moving is primarily done for the bypass, which runs south of Shakopee and connects the new Bloomington Ferry Bridge with Highway 169 in Jackson Township, Koniarski said. Bids for surfacing the road will probably be let in April, with the road probably opening in November 1996.

The section of County Road 18 north of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge to Interstate Highway 494 is expected to be completed by the end of 1996.

The Shakopee Bypass, bridge and County Road 18 in Hennepin County will be turned over to the Minnesota Department of Transportation in 1996. That stretch of road will become Highway 169.

State Highway 101 will be turned over to Scott, Carver and Hennepin counties after the Shakopee Bypass has been completed. Scott County will take ownership of the portion of Highway 101 that lies between the new Ferry Bridge and the northern city limits of Shakopee where Highway 101 enters Chanhassen. The portion of Highway 101 east of the Ferry Bridge to Highway 13 will simply become part of the bridge interchange and lose any highway nomenclature. In addition, Scott County will become owner of the portion of current Highway 169 from the Shakopee city limits to the Shakopee Bypass in Jackson Township. This portion of road will become County Road 69…

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Places Schools

St. Mark’s School

According to the July 18, 1940 Shakopee Argus-Tribune, construction of St. Mark’s School, 305 Scott Street, began on Tuesday, July 16, 1940. Total cost of the completed school was estimated to be about $60,000.

The building originally included eight spacious (for its time) classrooms, a library, kitchenette, office, music room, storage, sick room, club/activity rooms, and “the latest in sanitation.”

The June 12, 1941 Shakopee Argus-Tribune notes that demolition of a large portion of the original St. Mark’s School, erected in 1883, occurred that summer. Part of that building was preserved and incorporated into the Sisters’ residence. The bell from the original school was relocated to a “pent house” atop the new St. Mark’s School.

The school was dedicated on Aug. 24, 1941, by His Excellency Archbishop John Gregory Murray. The building was purported to be a “masterpiece of design and modernity.” The Aug. 21, 1941 Shakopee Argus-Tribune also refers to an auditorium as part of the school building.

The school stood for nearly 80 years, being demolished on Dec. 2, 2020.

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