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!)
June 1, 1922
Moonshine–The Cause–The Cure will be discussed by Horace G. Whitmore, Chairman of Minnesota Sanity League at the City Park, Chaska, on Saturday evening, June 2nd, at eight o’clock. The meeting will be under the auspices of the Minnesota Sanity League, the organization making the fight in Minnesota for a modification of the Volstead Law to permit the manufacture and sale of light wines and beer. The lecture is free and all are cordially invited.
June 2, 1966
Chaska, long acclaimed as one of Minnesota’s sports hotbeds, will be in the limelight of “big time” sports in a few weeks. The event is the National Women’s Open at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska. Featured in the four-day tourney will be the top professional and amateur women golfers in the United States and several countries. Tourney tickets are $10 for the entire tourney or will be sold at the course each day. A special tourney ticket, selling for $12, entitles the holder to club privileges.
June 3, 1886
We are pleased to learn that all of our merchants have agreed to close their respective places of business on Sunday, after Sunday June 13th. Our people should remember this and do their trading on week days hereafter. It is a move in the right direction, as our businessmen and clerks need one day in the week as a day of rest and recreation.
June 4, 1981
The Chaska City Council Monday authorized city staff to negotiate the purchase of 15 acres of land along Engler Boulevard as the site of a possible future City Hall. This is as close as the city has come in almost three years of discussion to the purchase of what’s known as the old Glatzel farm, now owned by The Preserve, Eden Prairie. The purchase price is expected to be from $142,000 to $147,000 for the 15 acres.
June 5, 1902
The Herman Sons Pic-nic last Sunday was a monster affair. There were two excursion trains from Minneapolis, one at 10 A.M. and one at 2 P.M., with Hengen’s Band of Music. There was a disgraceful fight at the crossing in the evening during which several persons were whacked over the head with clubs. We hope our city authorities will hereafter prevent a re-occurrence of anything of the kind, as it savors of savagery.
June 6, 1940
Though still a young organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Girls’ Drill Team has already done much toward advertising Chaska in the surrounding territory. The last appearance of the Scotch uniformed girls was on Memorial Day. They will be seen again tomorrow evening at the WPA Appreciation Night program in the Public School auditorium. The group was organized as one of the features of the WPA Community Recreation Program last year and was taken over by the V.F.W.
June 7, 1883
Eitel’s Mill Dam, on the creek just north of town, was washed out on Tuesday morning, the shut off, giving way first, from a pressure of water. The loss is a heavy one on Mr. Eitel, as he had just finished putting in a new turbine water wheel, besides making other improvements in his mill.
June 8, 1916
The Overland Carnival Co., a misfit outfit with little that would suggest the name carnival, put in last week in Chaska, and we are safe in saying that it did not get rich here. The outfit, consisting of a couple of tents and a few flunkeys, a carousel or merry-go-round, and a few lanterns which furnished the illumination at night, was about the bumiest aggregation that ever invaded the city and we are glad that the people of the community failed to fall for the bunk stuff dished up by this would-be amusement enterprise. We know of several accounts here that are still unpaid, but Gosh-All-Hemlock, you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip.
June 9, 1864
Thursday evening last the Ariel brought to our levee three families of Prussians. From the amount of goods they brought with them we should say they were well-to-do people. The next morning their goods were loaded on teams and all betook themselves to the town of Liberty where they intend to secure homes. This is the first batch of foreign immigration of this season.
June 10, 1909
The Commencement Exercises of the Chaska High School were held at the Opera House last Friday evening and we might add that the Opera House was packed to the doors. Although the class numbered but one, Miss Florence Greiner, the exercises were full up to the standard of former years. The stage was beautifully decorated with class colors and an abundance of exquisite flowers. President W. C. Odell of the Board of Education made a few complimentary remarks toward the fair graduate in presenting her with the diploma. Mr. Odell then presented the Hon. W. H. Eustis, who delivered the commencement address.
June 11, 1891
The Chaska Ball Club wishes us to announce to the public that there will be a matched game of baseball played between the Chaska “Silver Stars” and the “Diamond Stars” of Excelsior on next Sunday, June 14. This will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting and closely contested games ever played on the home diamond. The game will commence promptly at 2 P.M. Bus will leave White’s Livery Barn every 15 minutes, commencing at 12:30 P.M. Refreshments of all kinds served on the ball grounds. Admission free. Everybody invited.
June 12, 1958
Chaska has a new vocal group in its midst following the debut of the “Sweet Adelines” a week ago Tuesday at the District Firemen’s Meeting at the American Legion Club. The “Adelines” are the counterpart singers and their purpose is to promote friendship among women who love to sing. Barbershop singing is composed of four-part close harmony with no accompaniment. “Sweet Adelines” is a national non-profit organization with the local group meeting every two weeks at 7:30 P.M. Anyone interested in joining is welcome in the local circle.
June 13, 1946
Yard No. 2 of the Klein Bros. Brick Co. was set in motion the first part of May and for the first time since the beginning of the war Chaska bricks are again being made. Yard No. 2, we believe, is the original Klein Bros. yard and was in operation for all the years prior to the war. Practically all the other yards, of the many in operation here in the Nineties and up to World War I, have long ceased to operate. In the old days bricks were burned in kilns fired with wood and later by coal, but that was changed long since when oil was used. We have been informed that 50,000 bricks are being made daily, that sufficient help has been secured, and that it is hoped to keep the yard in full operation until the freeze-up in the fall.
June 14, 1928
At the last meeting of the Board of Education of the Chaska School District, a contract for filling the clayhole on Fourth Street in the Third Ward was given to the Klein Hauling Company. The job calls for several thousand yards of filling. This property belongs to School District No. 5 and lays across the street from the school building. After it is filled it will afford a fine place for athletic events and such things. In a few years it is planned to be the site of a new school auditorium for which the Senior Class of 1928 appropriated a sum as the nucleus for a fund for this purpose.
June 15, 1865
We wish to suggest the propriety of celebrating the coming Fourth of July by a picnic in some of the pleasant groves near our village, and if any feel disposed like as we do and will meet at the District School House on Monday evening the 19th at 8 o’clock, measures will be taken, if there is thought advisable to bring it about. Let us all unite, without regard to nationality, and celebrate together the anniversary of our independence made the more glorious by the great victories of the past year. We trust that all will take an interest and that there will be a full meeting at the School House Monday evening.
June 16, 1938
When work now being done at the tennis courts on the Public School grounds is completed, one of the finest plots to be found in this vicinity will be available for use. Installation of the lighting equipment was begun Monday. This improvement will flood the three courts with illumination for night playing. The Chaska Tennis Club has voted to surface the third court, to build wings on the backstops, and to install net tighteners.
June 17, 1875
At the Drug Store, Franken has put up one of the finest soda fountains in the state. It will pay to call and look at it for it is a beauty. Should you take a glass of the delicious drink that Franken draws from it, you would be sure to call again.
June 18, 1970
A field of eleven contestants will vie for the title of Miss Chaska Teenager at the second annual Chaska Lions Miss Teenage Chaska Pageant Thursday evening, June 25, at 8:00 P.M. on the stage of the Chaska Junior High School Auditorium. The second annual pageant next Thursday evening will kick off the Chaska Lions Annual Carnival with Robert Burkhart, Pageant Chairman, reporting that the format of this year’s pageant will follow last year’s inaugural event. Contestants will include Chris Clementson, Patt Rodriquez, Marg Ryberg, Carol Vosejpka, Sharon Johnson, Vicki Dollerschell, Holly Thompson, Shelly Ross, Marg Ragnon, Catherine Bender, and Stacey O’Neal.
June 19, 1969
New Orleans style jazz will provide the entertainment at a free band concert Friday evening in Chaska’s City Park. The famed Hall Bros. will appear in an unusual concert Friday evening at 8:00 P.M. in the Chaska City Park as part of a twin bill fare that will find the musicians giving an hour concert before appearing at Chaska Athletic Park as an attraction at the Chaska Lions Carnival. Earl Dauwalter, Chamber Concert Official, welcomes area residents to attend Friday’s special concert.
June 20, 1957
Chaska’s “Fire Laddies” will inaugurate monthly “Fish Fries” at their park site starting next Friday evening, June 28. Advertised as “Open Air Eating,” next week’s event will resume the home style serving of deep fried walleyed pike and trimmings that became a favorite with residents last summer. Tom Tiedeman, chairman of the committee, announced that the serving will start at 5:00 o’clock next Friday afternoon and continue into the early evening hours.
June 21, 1923
Monday was Election Day but you would hardly know it. Nothing doing about town and polling places deserted. Many of us forgot about the election and in consequence about a third of the normal vote was cast.
June 22, 1876
Joseph Starken, Esq., has purchased of Henry Vaartz the two-story frame building situated near Chris. Eder’s saloon, and will move the same to his lot on Second Street nearly opposite Theis & Wolff’s old store, and will open a drug store in the same. Second Street is fast assuming a first-class metropolitan appearance.
June 23, 1927
Ercell Young, proprietor of the Barber Shop adjoining the Young’s Confectionery Store, has just completed the installation of a new electric shoe shiner which is the latest thing in shining shoes. He has wisely selected John Stans and put him in charge of the shining department. “Fat” is now the proprietor of a first class and up-to-date barber shop. He is equipped with everything in the barber line and has a modern and clean shop, always aiming to improve it wherever and whenever necessary.
June 24, 1915
The First Annual “Schnitzelbank Club” Tanz at the Opera House in this city last Saturday evening was a grand success, both financially and socially. In fact no dance, with the exception of the Annual Woodman Hop, has been so largely attended. The Haering-Simon Orchestra furnished the musical program of both German and popular music, and which was repeatedly encored. The crowd was unanimous in hoping that there will be another “Schnitzelbank” Tanz soon.
June 25, 1964
Rev. Elred Domas, OFM, Pastor of Guardian Angels Parish, early this week announced plans to build an addition to the Sisters’ Convent. The annex, to be built between the school and present convent, would include a ground level, first and second floor. Tentative plans call for garage and storage spaces on the ground floor level, a chapel on the first floor, and living accommodations on the second floor. Included in the project are plans to provide access to the school from the convent on both the first and second floors and renovation of the existing chapel on the second floor of the convent for use as living accommodations. Eugene Borka, local contractor and parishioner of Guardian Angels, will supervise that project.
June 26, 1924
Saturday is a “red letter” day in Chaska. Monthly Fair and Market Day and a Band Concert in the Park that evening by the Arlington Band, with a Grand June Dance Frolic at the big Happ Auditorium and a special Fair Day picture show at the Rex. That should hold you for a while.
June 27, 1935
Mayor W. A. Kroonblawd is this week making a plea to parents to keep their children from shooting fireworks during the band concert in the City Park Saturday evening. “We do not mean to deprive the children of their fun,” the Mayor said, “but I am sure parents can realize how disturbing all this noise is during a band concert. I am asking for their cooperation in seeing that their children discharge no fireworks between eight and ten o’clock.”
June 28, 1951
The Shaska Wa Wa Centennial Committee this week urged the public to purchase tickets for the big Chaska Cavalcade Pageant at an early date. Tickets for the big event are now on sale throughout the city at the special price of $2.00 for three tickets. Two children will be admitted on one adult ticket, so a family of four can view the gigantic spectacle on a $2.00 strip of three ducats. After the July 10th deadline, all pageant tickets will be sold for $1.00 per copy.
June 29, 1882
The Catholic School Pic-nic last Tuesday was a very fine affair. Teams to the number of thirty-five or forty came in early in the morning and took the children to Victoria. They marched through the town in the morning headed by the Shakopee Band, making a nice display. They returned in the evening highly pleased with the day’s entertainment.
June 30, 1904
Last Sunday, our First Nine, the Advertisers, went to Carver, and met defeat by a score of 7 to 3. They found the pitching of Johnny Funk too much for them, and 16 of our boys went out by the atmospheric route. But nevertheless, our boys put up a fair article of ball considering that they have had little or no practice together. Our Junior Nine, the City Pharmacy Pill-Makers, added another scalp to their string of victories, by defeating the fast Hopkins Pill-Makers by a score of 9 to 3. Voss for the locals pitched gilt edged ball, striking out 19 men and allowing but a few scratch hits. Burkhart caught an excellent game.
