Situated on the south bank of the Minnesota River, southwest of downtown Minneapolis, Shakopee is the governmental seat of Scott County, Minnesota.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized sovereign nation, lies in part within the southern portion of the city limits of Shakopee.
Shakopee is surrounded by the cities of Chaska, Prior Lake, Savage, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Chanhassen, as well as unincorporated Marystown, The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and the Prior Lake Indian Reservation.
The historic community of Barden is in northeastern Shakopee, at the northern terminus of Stagecoach Road, southwest of Fisher Lake, and north of the railroad.
The main routes through the city are US Highway 169 and County Highway 101, which serves as a major east-west connector to historic downtown Shakopee. Minnesota State Highway 13 connects Shakopee to the rest of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region.
Bounded by the Minnesota River to the north, Shakopee contains several lakes and smaller bodies of water, and there are many other lakes in the surrounding area. Lakes within the city include Blue Lake, Dean Lake, Fisher Lake, and Quarry Lake, while O'Dowd Lake and Rice Lake border on Shakopee.
The city's parks and recreational areas include the 17th Avenue Sports Complex, the Community Center, Glacial Park, Greenfield East Park, Greenfield West Park, Hiawatha Park, Holmes Park, Huber Park, the Landing, Lions Park, Memorial Park, Prairie Bend Park, Raceway Park, Riverside Fields Park, Riverview Park, Scenic Heights Park, the Shakopee Ice Arena, Shutrop Park, Southbridge Community Park, Stonebrooke Golf Club, Tahpah Park, Quarry Lake Park, Valleyfair, Whispering Oaks Park, and a large green space surrounding the Minnesota River, Blue Lake, Fisher Lake, and Rice Lake, in northeastern Shakopee, and extending into Bloomington Ferry and Bloomington.
The Shakopee region has been inhabited for thousands of years, as Indian burial mounds have been found that date back about two thousand years. When the first white settlers came to the area, it was inhabited by a Dakota Sioux tribe headed by Chief Shakpay, who settled along the banks of the river in the 1700s. His village, known as Tintonwan, was east of the city's current downtown district.
The first steamboat came as far as Shakopee in 1842, and Oliver and Harriet Faribault built a log cabin along the river in 1844. At the invitation of Chief Shakpay II, a Christian missionary, Samuel W. Pond, came to the area, later founding the First Presbyterian Church in 1855.
The region was officially opened for white settlement in 1851. Thomas A. Holmes opened a trading post near Tintonwan Village, and Shakopee was designated the county seat in 1853.
Shakopee Village was platted by Holmes in 1854, and named for Chief Shakpay II. The village was incorporated as a city in 1857. Its status as a city was shortlived. In October of 1861, the Minnesota Legislature forced the city to surrender its charter and revert to a township form of government.
For several years, the most common mode of transport to and from Shakopee was by steamboat. In 1865, the Hastings and Dakota Railroad extended its tracks to Shakopee, connecting Minnesota to the West Coast. However, the line between Hastings and Shakopee was abandoned in the 1970s.
Shakopee was reincorporated as a city in 1870.
The first bridge across the Minnesota River in Shakopee was built in 1880. This was the Lewis Street Swing Bridge, which encouraged industries to set up shop in Shakopee.
Early industries included the Jacob Ries Bottling Works, Schroeder Limestone Kiln and Brickyards, George F. Strait and Company, and the Minnesota Stove Company, all built in the late 1800s.
Following a large fire in 1879, the Shakopee Fire Department was organized, and a two-story City Hall was constructed at Lewis Street and Second Avenue.
A municipal electric system and a water system was established in the early 1900s, the city's first well serving the community until 1991.
In 1927, the Holmes Street Bridge connected Shakopee to Chaska.
In 1969, a living history museum, known as Murphy's Landing, was established on the site of the original ferry route. This park is operated by the Three Rivers Park District today. The Valleyfair Amusement Park opened in 1976 and is still in operation. In 1985, Canterbury Downs, a horse track, opened, and is also in operation yet today, as Canterbury Park.
The Bloomington Ferry Bridge, built in 1995, has greatly spurred growth, opening the city to new business and residential growth. Its population doubled between 1990 and 2000, and nearly doubled again between 2000 and 2010.
Topics related to Shakopee, Minnesota are the focus of this category.
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Recommended Resources
Founded as a general roofing manufacturing company in 1904, CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest building products companies, with manufacturing plants throughout the United States and Canada. Its Shakopee, Minnesota operations are featured here, with an aerial photograph, crew rotation and general labor schedules, weekly maintenance schedule, shipping schedule, and lines one, two, and three.
http://www.ctshakopee.com/
The Chamber is a voluntary, not-for-profit business organization that represents the Shakopee, Minnesota business community through advocacy, membership programs, and economic development. Membership information and benefits are highlighted, and an application is available online. A member directory, member-to-member offers, advertising opportunities, and a calendar of events are noted.
http://www.shakopee.org/
The county government center is in Shakopee, the county seat. The official county website introduces the county library and other facilities, county parks and trails, and various departments and programs of the county. Property information, job postings, and a calendar of events are presented, with a guide to county services, its comprehensive plan, geographic data, demographics, and information about doing business in Scott County.
http://www.scottcountymn.gov/
SACS was established in 1970 with the consolidation of three parish schools in Shakopee. Offering a PK-8th-grade curriculum, the school is accredited by the Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association. Its strategic plan, pre-kindergarten, elementary (K-5), and middle school (6-8) programs are featured, along with its admissions policies, tuition, testimonials, and a school store are included.
https://www.sacsschools.org/
The registered non-profit is staffed entirely by volunteers, with more than 95% of contributions going directly to its clients. Specializing in meeting the needs for clothing, nutrition, and hygiene for families in Scott County and western Carver County, but particularly the Shakopee area, the organization accepts donations of money, clothing, food, and diapers. A calendar of events, prayer requests, and volunteer opportunities are noted.
http://sca-mn.org/
The SHS is a non-profit organization that works to preserve the heritage of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, including the area’s history, architecture, and founding principles. Established in 1999, the SHS is made up of a board of trustees, general members, and interested participants who are knowledgeable about the city and willing to share. Its projects, programs, and events are put forth, and the benefits of membership are communicated.
https://www.shakopeeheritage.org/
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The SMSC is a federally-recognized, sovereign Native American tribe governed by a General Council and Business Council. Although sovereign, much of its land lies within the city limits of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota. Its history, culture, and governmental structure are put forth, and its business and industrial enterprises, partnerships, and a community map are specified, and scholarships, donations, grants, and health care services are delineated.
https://shakopeedakota.org/
The district serves K-12 students in Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Jackson, Louisville, and Sand Creek townships, through several school campuses, which are highlighted here. An overview of the district and its leadership are put forth, and the school board and alumni association are introduced. Enrollment policies are featured, and enrollment forms are available online, along with a student-parent handbook.
https://www.shakopee.k12.mn.us/
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was chartered by Congress in 1936. The Shakopee, Minnesota veterans’ organization meets at its hall on 3rd Avenue East. Open every day of the year, the VFW offers a full breakfast menu on Saturdays and Sundays and serves lunch from Monday to Friday. Its regular schedules and daily events are posted to the site, along with a menu, calendar of events, and hall rental policies.
http://www.shakopeevfw.com/
The official municipal website Introduces elected and appointed municipal officials and administrative staff, publishes city council agendas and minutes, after council reports, council work plans, and proposed ordinances, as well as a history of the city, demographics, and street and infrastructure projects. Shakopee community center programs, recreation facilities, parks, trails, and activities are tendered.
https://www.shakopeemn.gov/
St. Francis Regional Medical Center
Jointly owned by Allina Health, Park Nicollet Health Services, and Essentia Health Critical Access Group, the Shakopee, Minnesota hospital’s Catholic identity is sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of the St. Scholastica Monastery. Its locations and facilities are identified, and associated doctors and providers may be located through the site. Career information is provided, and clients may pay bills online.
https://www.stfrancis-shakopee.com/
Offering large floor plans, several amenities, and a pet-friendly, smoke-free building, the apartment facility in Shakopee, Minnesota includes options for one, two, or three bedroom apartments. Available floor plans are displayed, along with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and monthly rental prices, as well as photographs, a map of the complex, and a list of amenities. Applications may be made online.
http://www.apartmentshakopeemn.com/
A product of a visioning session, and sponsored by the Chamber & Visitors Bureau, River South, and Explore Minnesota, the guide to the city seeks to promote Shakopee as a place to stay, play, eat, and shop, offering a directory of local attractions, events, services, and businesses, with details of each and links to their websites, when available. Rooms may be booked through the site, and a blog is included.
https://visitshakopee.org/
