Editor’s note: The weekly “Prior Lake in the Past” column contains summary excerpts of news items published in the Prior Lake American during decades from the past. We hope our readers enjoy remembering those people and events mentioned in those articles, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake American
Published 60 years ago
March 4, 1966
Celebrating before Lent: The Prior Lake Village Hall community room was transformed into a scene from Rio as members of the Minnesota Valley Voices and special guests from the Richfield Sweet Adelines celebrated Mardi Gras. Presiding over the festival was King Rex (Jane Thomas) and members of the court: Mae Mickley, Marilyn Mickus, Carol Bickner, Joyce Andrews, Suzy Muelken and Jean Geren.
Big crowd at VFW: Over 150 people attended the 20th anniversary party of the Prior Lake VFW 6208 and its Auxiliary being formed in the community. Featured speaker was William Fisher, chairman of fraternal activities for Lutheran Brotherhood. The topic on which he spoke was “Civic Volunteerism.” Fisher was a veteran of World War I, serving as a second lieutenant in the Air Service. Special guests included the charter members who founded the post and auxiliary in 1946.
Published 38 years ago
March 7, 1988
Grocery store robber sentenced: The man convicted of robbing Hauser’s IGA grocery store and holding employees and customers at gunpoint and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. Michael John Lund received a longer than usual sentence because of his previous record. He had entered the store on Jan. 24, 1987, near closing time and threatened the cashier at gunpoint to give him the money in her till. She was ordered to get on the loudspeaker and tell all customers and employees to come to the front of the store. They were ordered to lie on the floor while he took the money from the office and escaped. Lund had also pleaded guilty to several similar robberies in Hennepin County.
Cemetery’s history featured: A story published in the Prior Lake American focused on the Spring Lake Cemetery, rumored to be among the oldest in Scott County. Many of the headstones dated back to the late 1800s. The oldest person buried in the cemetery was a woman born in 1793, according to Courtlin Story, one of the cemetery’s caretakers. The cemetery is located at the end of Lime Road on the banks of Prior Lake. The graveyard reportedly began as a family plot serving the Smiley family. One section was reserved as for those who could not afford a burial spot but only one spot was reserved.
What a buy! A real estate listing titled “Best Buy on the Lake,” featured 82 feet of sandy beach with a four-bedroom home, treed lot and three garages, on Prior Lake. The price was $134,500 and was listed by Dave Kind of Edina Realty.
Published 20 years ago
March 4, 2006
Eight departments respond to barn fire: The Krueger dairy barn located near the intersection of Highways 13 and 282 was destroyed by fire caused by static electricity in the sawdust used for cattle bedding. Eight area departments responded to the emergency call, including the Prior Lake Fire Department. No one was injured and more than 100 cattle were relocated to area farms.
Budget cuts considered: The Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board discussed slashing approximately $460,000 in staffing and programs for the next school year to avoid ending a tenth straight year in the red. Cuts included supply budgets, media center hours and health personnel.
NHL players support local fundraiser: National Hockey League alumni Craig Norwich, Gordie Roberts and Richard Zemiak were featured in the “Skate the Lake” fundraiser for the Prior Lake-Savage Hockey Association.
