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!)
July 1, 1897
Everybody who wishes to enjoy a pleasant afternoon pic-nic should come to Chaska on the 4th. Mr. Sexton will give a rousing oration and Judge Thomas will read the immortal “Declaration of Independence” in a style that would do honor to Jefferson himself.
July 2, 1998
The District 112 School Board is considering whether the Chaska Hawks should accept an invitation to join a different conference next year. The Classic Lake Conference is actively recruiting Chaska, said David Clough, District Superintendent. Currently affiliated with the Lake Conference, Chaska has applied and been denied admission to the Classic Lake Conference twice in recent years. The District will hold a public forum on the issue at 7 P.M. Tuesday, July 7, in Chaska High School.
July 3, 1924
A committee representing the local Post of the American Legion recently called on our business men and as a result our business streets will hereafter have a large flag in front of most of our business houses on national holidays or any other time when we have some big civic doings. The flag is placed in an iron container placed in concrete in the sidewalk close to the curbing. They will be up for the Fourth of July celebration tomorrow.
July 4, 1968
An organizational meeting for a possible Women’s Slow-Pitch Softball League in Chaska will be held Monday, July 8, at 7:00 P.M. at Klein Bros. Firemen’s Park. Dianne Glowatzke, local Girls Summer Recreation Supervisor, announced the organizational meeting and invited teenage girls and women (residing in the Chaska School District) to attend Monday evening’s meeting if interested in playing slow-pitch softball.
July 5, 1962
A school site purchased by Independent School District 112 three years ago will be the site of the District’s new elementary school. The decision to build the new elementary school on the former Werner property was unanimously agreed upon by members of the Board of Education District 112 at a meeting Thursday evening. The marginal condition of available sites in the City of Chaska and the fact that the district already owned the Werner property reportedly was the determining factor in the Board’s decision. The former Paul Werner farm, located east of Highway 41 and immediately north of the Chaska city limits was purchased by Independent School District 112 in the summer of 1959 at a cost of $46,500 for the 77 1/2 acre tract.
July 6, 1865
Every one welcomes the 4th of July, and doubtless most Americans feel a true pride in celebrating the anniversary of our Independence. Our Chaska and Carver celebration passed off quite pleasantly, though the weather was extremely oppressive and the crowd a big one, numbering not far from 1,500. Many families came in fifteen or twenty miles to enjoy the day. The procession from Carver, consisting of about twenty teams, headed by the Band, paraded our streets about 12 1/2 o’clock, marching from here to the Pic-nic Grounds where addresses were delivered in English and German. After dinner a crowd gathered at the Dancing Grounds where beer was plenty and dancing the rage until broken up in a row and rain-storm just at the edge of the evening. Thus ended the Glorious 4th.
July 7, 1927
The fourth anniversary of the dedication of the new church will be celebrated next Sunday. The preacher for the day will be the Rev. Theodore Kohn of Carver at 10:45 A.M., and the Rev. E. Bertram of St. Paul at 7:30 P.M. The evening service will be English. Don’t fail to attend these impressive services. Prof. H. Ehlen will preside at the organ and his choir will sing.
July 8, 1909
Chief of Police Tom Powers arrested two young men on the street last Saturday evening for using profane and indecent language and disturbing the peace, and Municipal Judge Young imposed a small fine, considering it was their first offense. The Chief has orders to arrest all persons indulging in this kind of language hereafter, and each repetition of the offense will be dealt with more severely hereafter, and notice should be taken now of this fact as the law will be strictly enforced.
July 9, 1914
Complaint has been lodged with the Mayor that the alley on Block 38, running from Second to Third Streets, is filthy and impossible to travel. This alley is much used in going to and from the Post Office. The Board of Health should see to this matter at once, or others will.
July 10, 1958
Registrations are now open for Junior and Senior Lifesaving Classes at the local swimming pool, following an announcement early this week by Carol Jeurissen, local Red Cross swimming supervisor. The Lifesaving Classes will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00 to 5:40 P.M. and are for adult swimmers. Assisting in the Lifesaving Class instructions will be Judy Splettstoesser, nee Judy Engelhardt, who was appointed assistant Red Cross swimming instructor during the past week.
July 11, 1929
The German-speaking people of this community, settled decades ago by emigrants from the Fatherland, are to be treated to a rare bit of entertainment at the Guardian Angels Auditorium Sunday evening, July 14th, when the Wormser-Mayerhofer Players, of St. Paul, will present their hilarious farce, “Schneider und der Schuster,” in other words, “The Tailor and the Cobbler.” Reserved seats are on sale at the Chaska Drug Company with admission charges set at 35 cents and 50 cents. There will be no matinee in the afternoon.
July 12, 1866
The Fourth. — Nothing of importance transpired in Chaska, everyone “went in” on his own kook, and all celebrated that day according to his own inclination. Some got “tight,” some got “drunk,” but for our part kept “sober” as a deacon, allowed nothing to disturb our equanimity. In the evening attended the Quadrille Party, and did not (no matter how much we wished to) fall in love, altho’ there were many pretty girls present. Taking everything in consideration we are satisfied with one “Fourth” a year.
July 13, 1871
The corner stone on the new Herald Building was laid a week ago today in the presence of a very large number of the citizens of Chaska. Speeches and toasts were in abundance and a most pleasant time enjoyed. Judge Sargent was the principal orator.
July 14, 1988
The latest version of the Hennepin County Light Rail Transit (LRT) Comprehensive Plan shows the railway coming down through the southwest suburbs of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and eventually ending up in Chaska. This is a switch from earlier plans to route the transit line in a westerly direction toward Victoria. The LRT project is still just in the planning stages and the first ring of construction will probably bring it only as far as Interstate 494, but Carver County may begin taking steps to facilitate the possible light rail connection to Chaska.
July 15, 1965
Climaxing free entertainment at this year’s Lions Aqua Carnival will be a professional-type swim show sponsored by the Edina Aquatic Club. The show, starting at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, July 21, will feature diving and synchronized swimming with the popular antics of clowns providing an added splash of color. “This is a ‘first’ for the Chaska area and possibly will be a start of things to come,” said Lester W. Melchert, Carnival co-chairman, who reported that officials of the Edina Aquatic Club labeled the beauty of the Firemen’s Park “a natural” for outdoor swim shows.
July 16, 1931
A crowd composed of patrons of the Sugar City Co-operative Creamery and their families and estimated at seven or eight hundred gathered on Schneider’s Shore at Lake Bavaria for their Annual Picnic Thursday. Races and the customary sport events, including a baseball game, were run off. The ball engagement was played between the milk and cream haulers, the former being victorious. To give a mere idea of what a success the day was, there were eighty-five gallons of ice cream, thirty gallons of lemonade, four barrels of malt, and two of root beer consumed.
July 17, 1930
Liggett & Myers, manufacturers of Chesterfield cigarettes, have selected the Herald as their advertising medium in this vicinity for a series of weekly half-page advertisements, which began last week. The policy of the company is to select the paper in each county which is considered as the best medium. The Herald has been selected for Carver County. The confidence which such a national firm has in the advertising power of this paper is appreciated. Local merchants may be sure that when such a thing happens, they have the opportunity of sharing the advantage of such a contact with their customers, too.
July 18, 1889
A clear pearly and transparent skin is always a sign of pure blood, and all persons troubled with dark, greasy yellow or blotched skin can rest assured that their blood is out of order. A few doses of BEGGS BLOOD PURIFIER & BLOOD MAKER will remove the cause and the skin will become clear and transparent. Try it, and if satisfaction is not given it will cost you nothing. It is fully warranted. –Jos. Franken, Druggist.
July 19, 1883
Chaska Brick Yards ship on an average 25 cars of brick every day to St. Paul and Minneapolis. Each car contains on an average 6,000 brick, making our daily shipment 150,000 brick. What town in the state can beat that?
July 20, 2000
It’s time to get artistic and design a logo that will celebrate 150 years of history since Chaska was founded. The Chaska Sesquicentennial Committee is looking for designs to illustrate its motto, “150 Years Brick by Brick.” The first prize for designing a winning logo is $150, a dollar for each year. Entries should be sent to the Chaska Sesquicentennial Committee, City of Chaska, 1 City Hall Plaza, Chaska, MN 55318. Entries must be received at City Hall by 4:30 P.M. Friday, August 4.
July 21, 1921
The local Shirt Factory of the DuToit, Lewis, Klammer Mnfg. Co., employing quite a number of young women, closed down for the summer vacation the first of last week. We all hope that the factory may be able to resume operations at least by October First as it gives employment to about fifteen and enables the young ladies to remain at home and enjoy home influence. The slump in the wholesale trade with large stocks on hand has caused a shutdown all around, and a good many of the factories have been closed since early in the year and do not intend to reopen this year.
July 22, 1920
“The Romance of Tarzan” at the Rex Theatre last Friday and Saturday evenings was well attended and the picture surely gave great satisfaction. That is the kind of pictures you will see at the Rex Theatre right along and should assure our movie house a fine and steady patronage.
July 23, 1863
We see teams coming into town daily, loaded with lumber. It was sawed at Excelsior, about eight miles from here, and is to be used for the construction of a steamboat at this place during the fall and coming winter.
July 24, 1969
Rup’s Bar & Liquors, formerly Luby’s Bar, in Chaska, will soon have a new location. Owner Robert Burkhart announced today that Rup’s Bar will re-locate in the former Molnau Building, at the intersection of Walnut Street and Highway 212 in Chaska effective Friday, August 1. Renovation of the former implement building is presently underway and will be re-opened as Rup’s Liquor Lounge.
July 25, 1907
The Government Pure Food Department is watching butter and eggs. If butter is offered for sale containing more than 16 percent of water, the fine is 10 cents per pound, and if the fine is not paid the owner will have to take a vacation in the County Jail.
July 26, 1900
The excursion Sunday August 5th over the Minneapolis & St. Louis R.R. affords everyone an opportunity to visit Minneapolis and St. Paul. The very low rate of 60 cents for round trip from Chaska. Special excursion train will leave at 6:35 A.M. Sunday morning. The famous Banda Rossa will give afternoon and evening concerts at Lake Harriet Pavilion. The cities and lakes are never more beautiful than now — Minnesota State Band at Como Park, Water Carnival at Wildwood, Minnehaha Falls, and Historic Fort Snelling will pay you to visit. Remember, the rate of this excursion is only 60 cents for the round trip. Tickets good for returning Monday.
July 27, 1893
The N.W. Telephone Co. have erected their poles in this city, and are ready for the wire. The line looks like a very substantial one, and we hope it will be in operation soon. The office will be in Henry M. Young’s Store, on Chestnut Street.
July 28, 1932
Chaska’s fine young Fire Chief, Philbert Bruers, has consented to give you youngsters the time of your lives within a short time. The next time that Chief Bruers and his Fire Department go out for a practice and give the lawn in the City Park a good shower from four corners, it’s going to be Kids’ Nite. Through the Herald columns will be announced the night of the practice, and all the kiddies in Chaska are invited to turn out in their bathing suits for a royal time at the Waterfest in the Park. It’s going to be great stuff, especially if it’s a warm day. Watch!
July 29, 1954
“Dinner Bell” is the name of the new Drive-Inn Cafe being operated by Jack Pauly in the new building just east of the Pauly Service Station on Highway 212. At present only the Drive-Inn part of the establishment is in operation, according to an advertisement elsewhere in this issue. Later Mr. Pauly will have the other departments of the new building in operation and it is expected to be one of the outstanding eating establishments in this community.
July 30, 1874
On last Saturday night the Pound Master, Mr. Gothelf Schubert, made a raid on the cattle and horses found in the streets of this village. He made a large haul and proved himself a very efficient officer. Some complaint was made by those who were unfortunate enough to have cows or horses in the Pound on Sunday morning, because more notice of the intention of Mr. Schubert to do his duty as an officer was not given. He was not obliged to give any notice — and we presumed will be sustained by most of the people in this town, even if he did commence a little harsh.
July 31, 1913
Why should you keep gasoline at your home in large quantities and run the chance of having your children meddling with it, or being careless with matches near the open container, when you can buy filtered gasoline at Schmidt’s Big Glass Block Store in just the amount that you need. Filtered gasoline has all the water and dirt taken out of it, you pay only for pure gasoline.
