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 the articles, and this feature provides historical perspective about how much the community has changed over the decades.
Prior Lake American
Published 60 years ago
July 5, 1966
Big crowd for July 4 festivities: An estimated 1,000 people witnessed a spectacular water show and fireworks display on Prior Lake on July 4. The event started with a boat parade, followed by an hour-long water show performed by the Prior Lake Water Ski Association.
New bridge on deck: Officials from the Village of Prior Lake, Spring Lake Township, Shakopee and Savage were invited to a meeting scheduled for July 7 that would focus on the proposed bridge that would provide a crossing over the Minnesota River between Shakopee and Savage. The proposed bridge would span from Rahr Malting to the intersection of highways 212 and 169 to accommodate future highway construction plans to the south and east side of Shakopee, near the present city dump.
Bucket-ready: The Third Annual Bucket Brigade, sponsored by the Prior Lake Volunteer Fire Department, was scheduled to be held on Dakota Street near the village hall on July 10. Invitational challenges were extended to neighboring volunteer fire departments, including the Carver Fire Department which walked away with the championship crown in the previous year.
Published 38 years ago
July 4, 1988
Queen finalist: Meda Kop was named one of five finalists for Aquatennial Senior Queen. The 73-year-old Prior Lake native was recognized for her volunteerism throughout the Prior Lake community that has extended over decades. Following the nomination, she said “all the hoopla seemed a bit much.” For many years, she led activities for the Prior Lake Senior Citizens’ Center, was on the planning committee for the Prior Manor high rise and was active in the Prior Lake VFW Auxiliary. Married for 50 years, Kop and her husband, John, lived on the remainder of the farm near downtown Prior Lake, which is now Lakefront Park.
Demanding Highway 13 changes: Nearly 240 people crowded into the Prior Lake Senior High Auditorium to demand resolution to the safety issues that continued to occur on Highway 13. Residents were very vocal about the need for the speed limit to be reduced and traffic lights installed at the intersection of Fish Point Road. Several people were killed in car crashes in recent years. While residents demanded immediate solutions, representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation indicated resolutions would take years to implement.
It was a hot one: The hottest day recorded in Prior Lake since 1934 occurred on June 17, 1988. The temperature reached 101 degrees, according to Jonathan Cohen, who recorded weather statistics for the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Published 20 years ago
July 1, 2006
Balanced budget goal: The Prior Lake-Savage School Board authorized cutting $700,000 from its budget in an effort to restore a positive fund balance by June 2007, but skyrocketing utility bills and unexpected legal fees could have prevented the realization of that goal. The district had ended the previous fiscal year with an unreserved general fund balance of close to $855,000 in the red.
New fire station, truck on fall ballot: Culminating weeks of discussion and months of planning the Prior Lake City Council approved a referendum question be placed on the ballot for a second fire station and purchase of an aerial platform fire truck. The issue was to be placed on the Sept. 12 primary election ballot, and voters were asked to approve $3.7 million in bonds for the two requests. The city had planned for a second fire station near the Jeffers Pond development near County Roads 21 and 42. Construction of the fire station was estimated at $2.8 million, while the cost of the platform truck was expected to be approximately $900,000.
