One of great advantages that Scott County has is being bordered by the Minnesota River, but this boon comes with a drawback, floods. Since the earliest settlers came to this area flooding has been a problem. This year in particular the county was hit hard, the February snow swelled the rivers and creeks around the county. Jordan had to shut down roads and evacuate people due to the overwhelming waters. Since this is the season for high water, which will lead to hopefully a peaceful summer, it seemed an appropriate time to share some of our collection’s history on floods.
The Shakopee Baseball park in 1960, you can just barely see the dugout to the right.
The Jordan brewery during the flood of 1960
Highway 61 underwater during the 1955 flooding season
A picture of the building materials on the shore of the Minnesota River in Savage during the flooding in the 1960s.
Dangerfield’s, pictured during the flooding of 1993 on the Minnesota river.
If these pictures prove anything it is that Scott County is no stranger to flooding and high waters. However, the recent efforts in Jordan, and those shown in the pictures go to prove that this county has a long history of coming together in times of need. Flooding is as much a part of our county as winter or the county fair. If you happen to have any pictures of the flooding from across the county, we would love to take a look at them and please consider donating. Everyone at SCHS is eager for the waters to recede and summer to arrive.
Written by Dave Nichols, Curator of Collections