150 Years Ago: From the Aug. 13, 1874 Shakopee Argus
The Shakopee Grist Mill will soon be ready for business. Steam was raised yesterday, and we were apprised of the fact by the “toot” of their whistle.
125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 10, 1899 Scott County Argus
John J. Simmer, who has been living in St. Paul the past year, has moved back to Shakopee and will open a blacksmith and wagon shop in the old Koeper place on First street.
125 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1899 Shakopee Tribune
All benches, tables and the pavilion in the city park have this week been treated with a red coat of paint.
100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 15, 1924 Shakopee Argus
W. F. Schoch Goes Out of Business
A deal was closed last Thursday evening in which E. C. Scott, proprieter of the Shakopee Motor Sales, leased of W. F. Schoch his garage building and purchased the stock in the building. Mr. Scott to remodel the building, put in a show room, and have a complete Ford, Fordson and Lincoln Service Station. He will take possession August 20th.
W F. Schoch will go out of the garage business for some time and give all his time to his threshing outfit. He has recently purchased a now large size model Nichols Shepard Tractor and Separator and with the fine equipment will be able to do much of the threshing in this section of the country.
100 Years Ago: From the Aug. 14, 1924 Shakopee Tribune
The Scherkenbach Hardware and Electric Supply Co., have improved the appearance of their store building 100% by painting the front, a clear white enamel. The improvement is decided and is fully in keeping with the general progressive spirit of the firm.
75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1949 Shakopee Argus-Tribune
State Eases City Problem
Removal of all the filling from the sewer and water trench on East First will not be necessary, it was learned following a meeting of state highway department authorities and city officials Thursday.
It was feared for a time that the city would be obliged to remove the backfill from several blocks of sewer and water trench to conform to the provisions of a permit issued by the highway department. The permit applying of state highway 101, provided that no rocks be replaced in the trench. Following inspection the state contended the terms of the permit had not been met by the city.
Donald Childs, city engineer, and Aldermen Fox and Huber, conferred with state highway officials Thursday morning and reached an agreement whereby the city will remove the top 18 inches of back fill and replace it with gravel, and slush all the backfilling with water to assure complete settling…
75 Years Ago: From the Aug. 11, 1949 Shakopee Valley News
Rock Excavation Work Raises Cost Of New Utility Improvement
Because of large quantities of limerock, unexpectedly encountered during excavation work, cost of five blocks of sewer and water in East Shakopee area will run considerable over preliminary estimates, the Shakopee city council learned at their meeting Tuesday night.
Final estimates on the project, presented to the council and approved by Donald Childs, city engineer, totaled $7877.35. Low bidder, given the contract several weeks ago, was John L. Ries, Shakopee, who bid approximately $4200.
However, the bid was submitted on a unit cost basis, with each operation broken down at a set figure per unit. Specifications furnished the bidders by the city engineer’s office estimated only 30 yards of rock removal to be required. Actually, however, it was discovered during the period of excavation that the removal of about 600 cubic yards of rock was required. The rock was moved by blasting and airhammer operations. It was the large amount of rock, underlying some of the streets, that skyrocketed the cost of the project…
50 Years Ago: From the Aug. 14, 1974 Shakopee Valley News
Council hears concerns voiced by residents
Adoption of the assessments for the VIP Shakopee watermain connection improvement project 72-2 was granted by the Shakopee city council at their regular meeting Tuesday evening.
Adoption of the pian followed a lengthy public hearing on the matter which was held at 8 p.m.
25 Years Ago: From the Aug. 12, 1999 Shakopee Valley News
New parks referendum has support at forum
A parks bond referendum that voters rejected in May had a bit of life breathed back into it Monday night as a group of Shakopee residents urged that there be another try.
Members of the Shakopee Parks and Recreation Board seemed favorable to that, but whether voters will see it on a ballot is still up to the City Council.
Of the 15 people who attended a public forum at the Community Center, those who favor some form of a $6 million referendum far outnumbered those who oppose revisiting the issue. Supporters want to see it on the ballot with City Council candidates in the general election on Nov. 2…
The Parks Board will need to make a recommendation to the City Council on whether to hold a referendum and in what form the question should be asked. The next regularly-scheduled council meeting is next Tuesday.
Interested in local history? Find even more at the Shakopee Heritage Society website.