See all posts in the Chaska’s History Speaks series
(For your enjoyment, we present to you, from the archives of the Chaska Herald newspapers, the Herald Reports – now known as Chaska’s History Speaks!)
January 1, 1970
Yes, Virginia, beneath all that snow, there is ice for skating – thanks to efforts of Chaska’s Street Department. Street Commissioner Roger Winkel and crew finally completed making ice at Klein Bros. Firemen’s Park and Lions Park with warming house facilities and caretaker available at both sites. Ice skating hours will be from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM the remainder of this week. Effective Monday, January 5, when students return to school, ice skating rinks will be open from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday and from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Evening skating hours will remain the same – from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, seven days a week.
January 2, 1868
The Ferry Boat has finally had to capitulate unconditionally with “King Frost.” It gave up the ghost on December 21st. It showed its pluck to the last, and only the “elements” could conquer it.
January 3, 1884
Notice is hereby given that after the first day of January 1884, I will change to the cash system, and sell my meat for cash only. All those indebted to me are requested to settle their accounts at once. Henry Gehl, Butcher.
January 4, 1923
The New Year’s Dance at the Opera House last Monday evening was rather poorly attended, which seems to bear out the general opinion that dancing is on the wane in most localities. The dance was given for the benefit of the Baseball Team and it was hoped that this fact would serve to bring out a good crowd. However, the affair was not a success financially. The musical program was excellent and was furnished by the Peterson Orchestra of Hopkins.
January 5, 1865
Life is short and women are many. Men have no time for a close examination of each one, and to her who crowds her best goods into a show case is often awarded the highest prize.
January 6, 1983
An attempt will be made shortly to determine area interest in establishing a Women’s Basketball League for the 1983 season or more probably the 1983-1984 season. It is envisioned that the league will be a traveling league with games played home and away with neighboring communities. Contact will be made with Carver and Scott County area cities and school districts to determine their interest in helping to establish such an activity. Any woman from the Chaska School District No. 112 area that may be interested in pursuing the Women’s Basketball League concept should contact the Chaska Park and Recreation Department
January 7, 1915
The Schnitzelbank Club held its annual meeting at the home of Judge A. F. Young on Tuesday, December 29, and a nice time is reported. The members present were: Arthur Lahl, Otto Gastler, Paul Tietz, Chief Gastler, “Spotty” Heinisch, Paul Gastler, Dick Schallow, Wm. Burkhart, Peter Kartes, and Elmer Young. After the usual business session, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President: Arthur Lahl
Secretary: Otto Gastler
Treasurer: Paul Tietz
January 8, 1976
Chaska City Council members continue to vacillate in deciding whether to completely ban hunting within city limits or to allow hunting in certain areas. One proposal mentioned at its last meeting would allow hunting on the south side of the dike and in the southwest corner of the city – west of Bavaria Road but south of Highway 11. Hunting in both areas, however, would be subject to other provisions in the proposed ordinance. The Council has said a firearms ordinance will be adopted at its January 19 meeting.
January 9, 1986
Gordie Koehnen and Paul Schindler are the new owner and manager of Bell Discount Liquors located next to the Chaska Bell. The 4,450 sq. ft. building opened December 23 and offers a variety of imported and domestic wines. Bell Discount Liquors also includes an 18 door walk-in cooler containing over 75 varieties of beer.
January 10, 1957
“If you’re selling anything, the answer is always no! We’re backing the community that backs us.” The above message in the form of a placard is available free of charge to Chaska residents at local business places associated with Greater Chaska Inc. Harold Gastler, Greater Chaska President, said the cards were printed by the organization following response from citizens urging for this type of message in an attempt to stop the house-to-house peddling of merchandise that has become a nuisance to housewives in past months.
January 11, 1866
Wood is coming into town quite freely, from 40 to 50 cords a day are banked here for shipment below as soon as the river opens in the spring. There is a great scarcity of choppers, however, and Messrs. Newcomb, Griggs & Co., S. T. Warner & Dunklee are offering $1.25 per cord for cutting 4 feet wood and would give 50 men employment at that rate until spring.
January 12, 1978
“It’s different, but it is meant to be self-explanatory,” said Chaska City Administrator Jim Main yesterday in explaining the new type of bill the city’s 2,500 utilities customers will be receiving starting the end of this week. The bills are produced by the city’s new $30,000 computer which, among other things, is capable of billing all of the city’s customers within two days. The manual system it replaces took about six days for billing and processing. The computer, which was installed last April, does other bookkeeping and accounting chores for the city. It will make it possible, for example, for the city to project costs and more accurately set appropriate rates for services. “The change should be understood, there’s no change in rates or anything, but if customers do have questions, we’ll be happy to answer them,” Main said.
January 13, 1966
Chaska volunteer firemen will be knocking on doors in Chaska tonight (Thursday) to sell tickets for Sunday’s Ice Fishing Contest. “This is our big fund-raising project – proceeds will be used to purchase a new ambulance, and we hope to avail everyone the opportunity to buy a ticket,” said Fire Chief Wallace Ess in announcing plans for the house-to-house solicitation. Local firemen will canvass the city’s residential area starting at 7:00 PM.
January 14, 1909
“Tuckie” Moldenhauer, head meat cutter at Gehl’s, performed the remarkable feat of hauling 1,000 lbs. of veal calves to the M. & St. L. Depot Saturday on a small boy’s sleigh drawn by one of Gehl’s diminutive Shetlands. Tuckie is there with the bells on all the time.
January 15, 1920
The big Ess Bros. Foundry of this city has been a bee-hive of industry since early last fall and has been employing quite a number of extra hands. The demand for Chaska-made sleighs has been heavy – the heaviest in years. This institution is a real asset to our city and we should all feel proud of it, and boost it wherever and whenever we can.
January 16, 1896
We call the attention of our readers to the new furniture ad of Dols & Weller, who have lately opened a first class furniture store in the building east of the Herald block. They have everything new. They also have a full line of undertaking goods and have a new hearse to use in that connection. Call on them.
January 17, 1963
Minnesota’s Highway Department has made tentative arrangements to hold a public meeting on the relocation of Highway 212 in the auditorium of the Chaska Public School on Thursday, February 14, at 8 PM. A delegation representing the Highway 212 Association and including several local representatives met Tuesday afternoon in the office of Minnesota Highway Engineer, George Marshall, in St. Paul requesting action on the relocation of Highway 212 – a project that has been in the planning stage for several years.
January 18, 1912
The attention of all property owners in the City of Chaska is respectfully called to the ordinance of the City providing for the removal of snow on the sidewalks, and all citizens are urgently requested to cooperate with the Council in this matter. Clean your walks after every snowstorm. Unless heed is given to this notice, the ordinance will be strictly enforced, causing unnecessary annoyance and expense. By order of the City Council – J. M Aretz, City Clerk.
January 19, 1933
Chaska shouldn’t have much trouble keeping cool next summer. The Annual Ice Harvest, which has now been practically completed, has yielded three thousand three hundred and seventy-five tons. The Chaska Ice Co. put up about eight thousand blocks, and Frank Zamjahn & Sons about seven thousand. The total of fifteen thousand blocks, each weighing about four hundred and fifty pounds, will furnish six million seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds of coolness.
January 20, 1927
Last Wednesday evening the Guardian Angels High School basketball team defeated the Carver High School team by a score of 17 to 12 at the Guardian Angels Auditorium. The game was very exciting through the entire period. Anthony Ryski was the star player of the evening making 9 points for his team, while the rest of the team also played a good, fast game. The Carver team also showed good form and real ability in caging the ball, but the locals certainly held them in fine shape.
January 21, 1886
Keep your ashes out of barrels in your cellars or near to your dwelling or frame out houses. One half of the fires result from that habit. Also clean out your chimneys.
January 22, 1903
Services were held for the first time in the basement of the Guardian Angels Church last Sunday. The room is very artistic in appearance and a great improvement over the old one. It is almost twice as long and the ceiling is of handsome corrugated sheeting, abounding with floral designs. The congregation has certainly a handsome place of worship and we hope that no more misfortune shall ever cross its path.
January 23, 1930
Forty years ago there wasn’t a garage in Chaska. And it took all day to go from here to the Cities in a horse and buggy. Automobiles have become a necessary part of the busy man’s life. They save him years of time, and with the improvement they have undergone, in the past year particularly, they promise to become more and more necessary.
January 24, 1946
Like a thunderclap from a clear sky came the shocking news Sunday afternoon, January 20th, 1946, that Al Mooney, Coach of our High School Basketball Team for 23 years, Industrial Training Instructor, and widely known in high school athletic circles throughout this district, had passed away suddenly from heart failure at 3:10 that afternoon. Albert Mooney would have been 47 years of age next April. Funeral services are being held today (Wednesday) with memorial services at the High School Auditorium at 10 o’clock. Private funeral services will be held at the Eder & Zamjahn Funeral Chapel at 2:00 this afternoon, after which the remains will be taken to the Fort Snelling National Cemetery to be consigned to Mother Earth.
January 25, 1894
We are pleased to know that the Creamery Project is an assured fact. Over 500 cows have already been signed and the territory has not all been covered yet. It means a new era of prosperity for our farmers and consequent benefit to our city.
January 26, 1928
Dr. M. B. Hebeisen announces that he has now associated with him Dr. Robert Guilmette of Minneapolis. Dr. Guilmette is a physician of exceptional ability, having done post-graduate work in Europe and having been a captain in the Medical Corps during the World War. Dr. Hebeisen will be in his Chaska office from 10 to 12 AM and R. Guilmette from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 8 PM.
January 27, 1870
A committee consisting of L. Van Sloan, Reis, and others were canvassing town during the week for funds to finish the Catholic Church in the spring. We understand they were very successful and that the church will be built early in the spring and will, when finished, cost about $6,000.
January 28, 1982
To combat the winter blahs, Chaska merchants will sponsor a “Winter Whatchamacallit Sale” Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6. Participating retailers will offer bargains under one roof both days for an indoor sidewalk sale at the Chaska VFW Club, County Road 10. Food and beverages will be served at the sale. Next week, area residents can try to match local business persons to their baby pictures. The contestant with the most correct matches will receive $100 worth of groceries from Cooper’s Super Valu.
January 29, 1942
Announcement was made this week by Scoutmaster Kenneth Kowalske that the Boy Scout Troop is starting a campaign to collect waste paper throughout the city in the interest of national defense. Starting tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, the youths will make a house-to-house canvass to gather old newspapers, magazines, and waste paper. Anyone having such material to be picked up may telephone 80.
January 30, 1964
Chaska’s Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus today announced plans to compete in District Six Competition at Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 6-7. The Adelines, hopeful of raising funds for the Iowa trip, will sponsor a home-made bake sale Friday, February 7, at Young’s Laundromat. An array of home-baked items will be featured with the public invited to patronize the event.
January 31, 1907
In every city or town there is but one best store. In Chaska, J. A. Schmidt’s Store is the best and most economical place to trade as he always sells the best quality of goods for less money than the others sell the inferior grades.
