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!)
August 1, 1963
Chaska’s summer recreational program is in its last week of activities according to an announcement early this week by Director Robert Tadsen. Baseball playoffs are the center of attraction for the boys, with girls recreational director Mary Regenscheid completing girls handicraft projects. Dale Arlt’s nine won the major league title with a 9-1 record—followed by John Schoen’s runner-up nine. Playoffs are already underway with Gary Eitel’s team defeating Bill Schalow’s nine two out of three, and Bruce Heimke’s third place nine winning over Dennis Kelm’s team by forfeit.
August 2, 1888
Our Ball Club played the Excelsiors last Thursday. We have not heard the particulars, but it is currently reported around town that the score stood 88 to 89.
August 3, 1939
The “Summer Round-Up” of children entering school for the first time next month is in full progress. This is one of the annual projects of the Parents-Teachers Association. Committeewomen this year are Mrs. R. L. MacDonald and Mrs. Lewis Monroe, who are out this week calling at the homes of children eligible for the round-up. Parents are urged to avail themselves of the doctors and dentists of the city for a free examination of the health of their children. Doctors are prepared to start examination next Monday.
August 4, 1892
The rain storm of Tuesday night of last week was the hardest ever witnessed in Chaska. Fully eight inches of water fell, doing an immense amount of damage, especially to the crops, meadows and trees.
August 5, 1971
Chaska’s municipal “Slo-Pitch” Softball League won an “All-Star” exhibition game Friday defeating their Tri-County rivals 12-7. The Chaska “Slo-Pitch” All-Stars included Darrel Swanson and Reg Ohnsorg of Reed’s, Ron Snyder and Don Geyen of Cy’s Liquors, Drew Franzen of Chaska Bell, Bert Panning and Larry Lobitz of Oak Grove, Bill Menden, Clem Schuler, Lyle Bachman and Charlie Bachman of Brass Rail, Ken Pung, Bob Roepke and Rog Forner of Butch’s Bar, George Wenzel, Vern Steinmetz and Bob Bruers of Pete ‘n Barb’s, and Dave Isenberg and Rick Engelhardt of Rup’s Lounge.
August 6, 1953
“We hope everyone will reserve Sunday, August 16, for our Grand Opening of Chaska’s new Picnic Grounds.” That was the invitation of Fire Chief Ben “Butch” Kocks this week on behalf of Chaska’s Fire Department as the firemen complete plans for the dedication of the new picnic layout on that Sunday afternoon and evening. The Park’s dedication will climax over a year and a half’s volunteer work by the firemen to provide the community with excellent public picnic facilities. The project was first made possible by the cooperation of C. H. Klein and C. P. Klein, who made possible a lease on the property located north of Highway 212 and adjacent to the municipal swimming beach.
August 7, 1924
The Simons Candy Co. will concentrate all of its effort hereafter on the manufacture of their famous candy bar, “Little Wonder.” Mr. Simons has recently made several first class jobbing connections and has orders for large deliveries in September. When you want candy, ask for “Little Wonder.”
August 8, 1935
Tennis enthusiasts are being urged to enter a Shakopee-Chaska Tournament to be staged in the former city within the next couple weeks. Local players may register for the competition by leaving their names and the twenty-five cent entry fee at the Chaska Drug Co. before next Tuesday, according to those in charge of arrangements here.
August 9, 1866
By magic we are forced to exclaim, in reference to buildings, that every day we observe in some part of town a frame or some new building or large addition to dwellings or stores. If this can only continue until fall, we shall surely rank any town in size between Shakopee and St. Peter. Strangers visiting our town and amateurs seeking places of location after visiting all parts of the state, decide this the most desirable location. This is only the second year of our prosperity and with the solid improvements everywhere visible in our town, can justly claim great credit and point to a still brighter future in store for this borough.
August 10, 1905
The Independent School District of this city extends an invitation to all prospective high school scholars to attend our high school, and wishes to announce that the tuition is free, no charge whatever. It is particularly interesting to students from outside of town, and we hope many will be in attendance at the Chaska High School the coming term.
August 11, 1949
The Chaska Chix continued their winning ways against other girl softball clubs last week, defeating the Shakopee Reformatory team 18 to 14. However, the Chix went down to defeat at the hands of the Chaska Midget boys crew 9 to 7 on Friday night. The game with the Shakopee girls was a wild affair with the Chix trailing 9 to 8 going into the last of the sixth only to out-rally the Reformatory girls in the seventh for the victory. In the Midget game, the little boys proved too much for the girls and the Chix dropped a close contest although they rallied in the last few innings to close the gap. The Chix have a game with the Chaska Mudders, a team made up by some of the mothers about town who still have athletic aspirations, tentatively scheduled for next week.
August 12, 1909
A bunch of our handsome young ladies formed an outing party to White’s Shore, Lake Bavaria, last Thursday. They went out to surprise the boys who were camping there and we understand they made it merry for the campers and plied them with the dainties of several well filled lunch baskets. It goes without saying they had a glorious time and the boys ditto. We would like to give the girls away, but won’t this time.
August 13, 1959
Guardian Angels Parish celebrated the One Hundred First Anniversary of its founding Sunday with an open-air festival and turkey dinner that drew a record crowd. A crowd in excess of 1,900 enjoyed the family style roast turkey dinner served in the spacious parish dining hall, with many diners remaining throughout the afternoon and early evening hours to participate in various amusements. James F. “Pat” Halloran, General Chairman, joined acting pastor Rev. Clement Leahy, O.F.M., in thanking parishioners for their cooperation and the general public for its fine support.
August 14, 1890
The Village Council have ordered all saloons closed at 11 o’clock at night, and also ordered the front doors closed during church services on Sunday. They also appointed Thos. Powers policeman, with duty as night watch from 10 P.M. until 5 A.M. with a salary of $40 per month. It is officer Powers’ duty to see that saloons are closed at 11 o’clock and that order is preserved during the night.
August 15, 1889
It has come to the knowledge of the Board of Health that the cards nailed upon the houses notifying the public that an infectious disease exists within have been ruthlessly torn down. They give this Public Notice that any person found guilty of such a contemptible act will be punished as the law directs. —By Order of the Board of Health, John MacDonald, M.D., Health Officer.
August 16, 1900
The interior of the German Evangelical Church is undergoing extensive repairs and will present a much neater appearance when completed. It is being repainted, including the seats, and the heating apparatus will be moved to the basement, giving more room. The steeple will also receive a fresh coat of paint. The Rev. Engelbart has labored hard to bring about this result and is entitled to much credit for his effort. Leo Stans is doing the work and doing it well.
August 17, 1922
“Kelly” Diedrick and “Dutch” Wudke, who have been promoting the Phonograph Lottery in order to raise funds for the 1923 Baseball Team, this week decided to add impetus to the contest and accordingly have purchased a nice diamond ring valued at $45 or $50 which they will award as a prize to the young lady selling the most coupon books within a given time. The contest will open tomorrow (Friday) and the boys hope that quite a number of our young ladies will enter the contest and work like Trojans to win that ring. Now get busy, girls.
August 18, 1955
Chaska’s Summer Recreational Program utilized the facilities of Chaska Athletic Park, the local
CHS playgrounds, and the swimming pool, according to an announcement by recreation officials. Throughout the summer months hundreds of local youths and rural children enjoyed supervised recreation under the guidance of Tom Zweiner, Vance Crosby and Mrs. Margie Mann. In addition, Clarence Soley and Miss Judy Engelhardt were employed as lifeguards at the local pool.
August 19, 1880
The brick work on the new Catholic School building is completed. The roof is also shingled and the cupola on the center of the main building begins to show off to advantage. The building is far enough advanced to indicate how it will look when completed, and the general verdict is that it will be a splendid building. A credit to the congregation and our beautiful city.
August 20, 1896
Johnson’s Magnetic Oil cures all pains, internal or external, cramps, colic, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains, bruises, lame back, pleurisy instantly. $1.00 size, 50 cents. 50 cent size, 25 cents. —For sale by A. J. Maerz.
August 21, 1930
All about us cities, towns and even villages are showing themselves up-to-date by building miniature golf courses. Northfield is adding its second one. Truman is having one built, Hutchinson’s is being completed. Excelsior has had one for some time, Hopkins opened one there this week, and many other towns have theirs in good use already. According to the Department of Commerce, over $100,000,000 has already been invested in the new sport. How long will it be before Chaska has one?
August 22, 1968
“Live a Little at Dairy Queen” will be the theme of Grand Opening festivities today and Friday at the new Highland Dairy Queen in Chaska. Owners Bill Loose and Don Pickering are planning a gala opening—including a personal appearance of reigning Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Carla Rae Larson. Miss Larson will be at Highland Dairy Queen from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. today (Thursday) with KSMM radio to broadcast “live” from 11:30 until 12:00 noon. Highlighting the two-day Grand Opening will be a One Cent Sundae sale. Customers may purchase any Sundae at the regular price – and receive the second one for only one cent.
August 23, 1923
Mayor Wm. Oberstein is entitled to a good deal of credit for his initiative in providing traffic signs which have been placed at important road intersections about our city. It’s a good improvement.
August 24, 1911
The White Lillies and the Swat Mulligans clashed on the local diamond last Sunday and the Lillies won out by a score of 14 to 7. The big left hander Yahn served up the benders for the Lillies while Roepke was on the mound for the Swatting kids. Hannes Simons and Finnie Taylor of the Mulligans were stars of the game, outside the work of Yahn. It was a loosely played contest, but afforded much interest to the spectators.
August 25, 1870
Mrs. Mary Hammer was fined five dollars and cost, by Justice Sargent, on Tuesday for throwing hot dishwater in a malicious and angry manner, over the cranium, face and other parts of the body of Leonard Finken, Esq.
August 26, 1948
The City Council, headed by President Romanus Stans and accompanied by Mayor L. A. Hartmann, City Electrician C. A. Kayeska, and City Clerk James F. Halloran, spent Tuesday evening of the previous week inspecting the “White-Way” lighting system at Farmington. The “White-Way” system at Farmington is something new in the way of street lighting and the Chaska officials were quite impressed during the tour of inspection that took several hours’ time.
August 27, 1985
The School Board met late Monday evening and decided upon the following corps of teachers for the ensuing year: J. C. Thomas of Young America as Principal, Miss Con. DuToit, Intermediate Department, and Mrs. E. L. Stoughton and Miss Lena Young, Primary Department. It will be seen that the number of teachers has been increased by one, that number being deemed necessary.
August 28, 1941
Class and private lessons in Tap, Ballet, Toe, Acrobatic, Soft Shoe, Spanish, Hawaiian, Modern Interpretive and Ballroom Dancing will be given at the City Hall every Saturday beginning September 6th. Special classes for boys and girls of pre-school age. Enroll your children any day before September 6th by getting in touch with Mrs. Lyndon E. Hansen at Baxter’s Store.
August 29, 1872
There is considerable sickness among the little children of this place. Cholera Infantum seems to be the prevailing epidemic.
August 30, 1962
St. John’s Lutheran Church dedicated its new school addition Sunday in dual services commemorating the 75th anniversary of the school and the dedication of the new addition. Rev. G. Raedeke, a son of the former pastor of St. John’s and the first teacher in St. John’s School, reminded the members of the blessings they have derived from their school. The addition to St. John’s Education Center enlarges the parochial school building—adding five more classrooms, a library, a new church and pastor’s office, a curriculum materials office and a refurnished principal’s office. The addition has more storage for the kitchen, including a walk-in cooler and other storage.
August 31, 1989
With minimal fanfare, the Chaska City Council awarded the first construction contract for a new Community Center Monday evening. In a brief special meeting, Busse Construction, Belle Plaine, was awarded a grading contract in the amount of $62,010. The company is expected to begin “pushing the dirt around” almost immediately after the ground breaking, according to Administrator David Pokorney. A formal Ground Breaking Ceremony will be held Wednesday, September 6th, 6:30 P.M. at the Community Center site on Engler Road.
