Editor’s note: The weekly “Prior Lake in the Past” column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American during the same week 60, 40 and 20 years ago. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those who are mentioned from years past, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake American
Published 60 years ago
September 30, 1965
Celebrating Homecoming: Senior king and queen candidates for Prior Lake’s Homecoming in 1965 included Susan Blohm, Diana Boegeman and Stacia Brantl. King candiates were Ron Tieben, Joe Hess and Thomas Blumberg. Coronation was scheduled for Oct. 7 as the finale for the annual “Laker Capers” variety show. The parade and homecoming game concluded the week of special activities on Oct. 8.
Business changes hands: An announcement was made that the Standard Service Station owned by Melvin Borchardt was sold to Donald Schommer who took over on Sept. 23. Married and father of eight children, Schommer was previously employed by Swift and Company. Borchardt had been associated with Standard Oil for 25 years.
Services held for Mrs. C.H. Prior: Funeral services for Minnie B. Prior, age 95, of Minneapolis, were held Sept. 21 at the Thomson Brothers Funeral Home in Minneapolis. Mrs. Prior was the widow of C.H. Prior, former Milwaukee Road executive and person for whom Prior Lake and Prior Avenue in St. Paul were named. Internment was at Lakewood Cemetery.
Published 40 years ago
September 30, 1985
Moving in: While Minnesota’s population growth had slowed, Scott County continued to grow and was reported to be the fastest growing county in the state between 1980 and 1984. Scott and Sherburne counties headed the list, increasing by more than 12%.
Plans for fountain axed: Members of the Prior Lake City Council vetoed the idea of putting a fountain in front of the proposed new city hall after learning the structure would cost in excess of $15,000. “As far as I’m concerned, we already have a nice water feature in downtown,” said Councilmember Keith Thorkelson. “It’s called Prior Lake.”
Lots of candidate choices: When filings closed for the November election, there was considerable interest in open Prior Lake seats. Incumbent mayor Gary Johnson was being challenged by Lydia Andren and Curtis Seabloom. Filings for city council seats included incumbents Keith Thorkelson and Ted Schweich, along with challengers John Fitzgerald, Michael Felix and Gene White.
Published 20 years ago
Oct. 1, 2005
High property tax ranking: Prior Lake again landed on the high end of a property tax survey released by the Citizens League. The city ranked 23rd among the 112 metro cities in 2005 with a tax of $2,869 on an average market value home of $244,752. Prior Lake was 19th in 2004. Savage was right behind its neighbor city, coming in at 24th for a home valued at $237,640 that was taxed at $2,785.
Hiccup in new school construction plans: Construction of Jeffers Pond Elementary School was delayed by two weeks due to mistakes made in the bidding process, one by the apparent top bidder and one made by the construction company while reading the bids. The lowest bid was withdrawn, and the second lowest bid had to be thrown out because it had never been read aloud, as required by state law.
Church building sold: Shepherd of the Lake Church officially closed on the sale of its former building located off Highway 13. The church had tried for two years to sell the structure after moving to its new location off McKenna Road. Bethesda Church purchased the building and its first service was planned for Oct. 16.