Spring-Summer 2019 Hometown Messenger

Take a stroll through Shakopee history on the new interpretive trail at Memorial Park. Pathways of Shakopee’s History is a unique project designed to educate residents and visitors on Shakopee’s rich history of people, events, features and cultural influences dating back to the late 1600s. Pathways includes 10 interpretive signs along the Mill Pond Channel in the west end of the park. The signs highlight aspects of Shakopee’s history, such as the land before the city was founded, the significance of Faribault Springs, agriculture along the Minnesota River and various modes of transportation into Shakopee (e.g., ox carts, stagecoaches, steamboats). The project was A walk through history New Pathways of Shakopee's History interpretive trail tells the story of the community's beginnings

spearheaded by the Shakopee Heritage Society in coordination with the city. The signs lead up to the historic foundation of Rev.

Samuel Pond’s family cabin, the first framed structure built south of the Minnesota River in the Mdewakanton Dakota territory. "Learning about the past helps us now, as people in Shakopee, [learn] how people, whether they speak Spanish, Somalian, English or many other languages, can work together for our town," said committee member David Schleper. "And that is why the Pathways of Shakopee History trail signs help tell our story." You can find the trail at Memorial Park, 1801 County Highway 101.

This spring, a centralized kiosk with nine signs will be installed, concentrating on three specific topics: the Mdewakanton Dakota - Tiŋta-otoŋwe, the Dakota Indian summer planting village; Prairie des Français, the Faribault Trading Post and the Faribault family; and Prairieville, the Pond family and mission.

A LOOK BACK

In 1856, German immigrant Herman H. Strunk built the first brewery in the lower Minnesota River Valley. Located at the west end of Shakopee, Shakopee Brewery and Distillery had the ideal conditions to produce beer and other libations – whiskey, porter, bock and ale. In 1863, Strunk sold the brewery to AndrewWinker who ran it until his death in 1870. Hubert Nyssen, an employee of Winker’s, took over operations. In 1875, he marriedWinker’s widow Mary, who gave Nyssen ownership of the brewery.

Nyssen produced beer for nearly 50 years. The brewery endured two fires, several reconstructions and additions, including a three-story high malt cellar, ice storage buildings and detached horse power room (used to power equipment). “Shakopee Beer”was the brewery’s most popular and well-known beer. Unfortunately, with the start of prohibition, the brewery stopped producing beer in 1920 and never restarted. Today, pedestrians hiking or biking west on the scenic Minnesota Valley State Trail can see the ruins of the historic Shakopee Brewery. Photo courtesy Shakopee Heritage Society

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