Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2022

Digging for "Treasure"  

Check out this New Exhibit at the History Center!

The City of Chaska determined that the house located on the NW corner of 4^th Street and Pine Street was to be demolished to begin the downtown improvements for a new Public Library. The house appeared on the Sanborn Fire insurance Maps in 1885 and the maps indicated that three privy or outhouses were on the lot.  The Sanborn Insurance maps are detailed, accurate and helpful because they illustrate the location of houses, factories, cisterns, wells, privies and property lines.  

These items—along with many others—can be seen at the History Center, 112 West Fourth Street in downtown Chaska.  The Center is open to the public on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1-4pm.

Artifact - St. John's Coin Tray

One of the many treasures harbored at the Chaska History Center is the cast iron tray pictured, which is the top part of a coin tray and dispenser made by Staats Company, Cohoes, NY and patented on February 25, 1890.  This kind of tray was typically used by large stores and banks to store coins for easier counting and dispersal.  Slots hold 5 coins each on their edges.  Spaces for 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent, 50 cent and silver $1 coins are included.

The item was donated to the Chaska History Center in 2010.  It was used at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska in earlier days, as most giving to churches was in coins at the time.  This tray was used to help quickly count the monetary gifts.  The coin counting tray is old enough that there is probably no one alive today who actually used the item at the church.

View photos of coins that would have been used in the era of this coin tray.

Volunteer Spotlight - Barb VanEyll

Barb is originally from Cologne where she lived with her family in an apartment located above her father’s bar in a small stretch of Main Street. She recalled helping her father opening and tending the bar. Her grandmother owned a farm in the area and came to Chaska frequently for milling and banking, so Barb was familiar with the Chaska community.

She wanted to move closer to the city, and after marrying Gary VanEyll they moved to State Street in Chaska. She recalled that living near the Oak Grove Dairy facility was a god-send as her growing family often ran out of milk. Barb was employed by Deli Express for 43 years in both production and quality control. She witnessed the company growing from Stewart sandwiches to Sween Company and Deli Express. Three generations of company growth have made the company a leader in freshly-made sandwiches and cookies for people on the go!

After retirement in 2018, Barb began volunteering at the History Center and has quickly stepped into a very active role leading the Membership function. Her helpful approach to those that visit the Center on Tuesdays reflects her love of history and interest in history. Barb is also very active in the American Legion Auxiliary and currently serves as their president. Her inspiration and passion to help and support veterans is her way for honoring the military service of her father, father-in-law and husband. The auxiliary has over 175 members and raises funds to assist veterans locally and through the Veterans home in Hastings. The annual poppy sales in May reflect the backing of the community. Barb is also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Barb has also supported her husband Gary in his active roles in City government - serving on the city council, Mayor of Chaska and as Fire Chief. This has resulted in difficult situations for her. She recalled a time in the City’s growth that unpopular decisions had been made and her house received unpleasant phone calls. But through it all, Barb says that the people of Chaska are so wonderful, and it’s no secret why the community continues to grow. She remarked that having her three children grow up in Chaska was a wonderful experience for them and hopes that new residents can enjoy the spirit of the best small-town.

Memories of Chaska, Part 2 of 4

You have lived in Chaska for more than 50 years if you remember when:

• The Gazebo in the park had screens.
• There were two high schools in downtown.
• The Guardian Angels clock struck every 15 minutes.
• The fire siren sounded curfew at 9PM each night.
• The milkman delivered milk to your door from the local dairy/creamery.
• The mail was delivered two times per day, so if you took a letter addressed a Chaska address to the post office in the morning that person received it in the afternoon.
• Band concerts were on Saturday night, which was the busiest night in town as all the stores stayed open late and the local farmers brought in their goods to trade or sell.
• There was roller-skating and bowling at Guardian Angels.
• There was not a policeman during the day - only at night.  If he was needed, a light was turned on at the Klein Bank Building and he would call to find out where he was needed.
• Your high school football games were played at Chaska Athletic Park.
• The local doctors made house calls.

• You ate at a diner made up of two railroad cars.
• Ice was harvested in the winter for use in ice boxes in your kitchen.

  Chaska: A Minnesota River City Quiz #4  

  Chaska: A Minnesota River City Quiz #3 Answers 

Here are the answers and reference pages for Quiz #3 questions about Chaska: A Minnesota River City, Prehistory to 1950. 

1. In 1858, while travelling on the river steamer Antelope, which Chaska resident witnessed a battle between Chippewa and Dakota tribes?
   Answer:  Frederick DuToit.  Page 7.
2. In the treaties of 1851 and 1853 with the Dakota tribes, what price did the US government agree to pay them for land west of the Mississippi River?
   Answer:  $3 million for 24 million acres – $0.125 / acre.  Page 11.
3. In 1835 at a trading post near Chaska, what was the average value of a muskrat skin?
   Answer: 5 cents.  Page 16.  Note: In 2020, muskrat skins were valued at $2.50 each.  Source – www.trappingtoday.com.
4. Before it was named the Minnesota River, what was it known as?
   Answer:  St. Peter River, or le Riviere Saint Pierre, or St. Pierre ou Mini Sota.  Page 23.
5. In the 1850s, what was the approximate cost of travel from Europe to New York or Quebec?
   Answer:  About $25.  Page 31.
6. Wendelin Grimm bought a farm in 1857 and later developed what crop that could survive Minnesota winters?
   Answer:  Alfalfa.  Page 38.
7. What woodland plant was used as a cash crop for settlers in the Big Woods area?
   Answer:  Ginseng root.  Pages 40, 42.
8. After 1849, what work was required by the County Commissioners of male citizens between the ages of 21 and 50?
   Answer:  At least two days per year of road improvement.  Page 42.
9. How did the Benedictine Fathers and their congregation decide the naming of Guardian Angels church?
   Answer: A two-year old girl picked an image of a guardian angel from a group of saints.  Page 44.
10. How many bells were installed in the Guardian Angels church steeple in 1885? BONUS: What were the musical notes of the bells?
    Answer:  Four bells – two tuned to ‘D’, one to ‘F#’, and one to ‘A’.  Page 48.
11. What woman had her own business in 1866, and what was that business?
    Answer: Fredericka Meyer developed a millinery (hat-making) business.  Page 68.
12. Where was the first of Chaska’s sidewalks located?
    Answer: Outside the Stone Building at the corner of Chestnut and 2^nd Street.  Page 68.
13. Charles Gebhard started home milk delivery in Chaska in what year?
    Answer:  1864.  Page 69.
14. Except for an occasional excursion boat, why did steamship traffic to Chaska on the Minnesota River cease operations?
    Answer:  Competition from railroads, low and uncertain river depth, and increased use of barges for freight haulage.  Page 77.
15. Miss Sophia Moser arrived in Chaska without money.  What did she do to replenish her assets?
    Answer:  She raffled her 60 pieces of jewelry at $1 per ticket.  Page 78.
16. In the 1860s, what items did the Burkhart Brothers offer for sale in their advertisement in the Valley Herald?
    Answer:  Coffins, hearses and baby carriages.  Page 94.
17. How did Victoria Winninghoff save the life of toddler Frank Ess?
    Answer:  She saw him start to fall from a 2^nd story window above her, then held out her “voluminous” apron and caught him.  Page 102.
18. Which city vied with Chaska to host the Carver County Fair in the late 1800s?
    Answer:  Carver.  Page 111.

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