Slabs of Shakopee History for Sale

For a dollar, you can own a small slab of Shakopee history.

The city is selling bricks made in Shakopee that have been salvaged from the demolition of historic homes at the nominal cost of $1 each.

Mark Noble, a city planner, said while they don’t like to see historic homes demolished, if it happens they can at least salvage bricks and other items of historic significance for use in other projects.

The Shakopee Historic Preservation Advisory Committee has played a prominent part in salvaging the bricks with city council support to sell them.

“One hundred fifty have sold,” Noble said. “We just want people to know they are available and hope to help people if they have a project where these bricks could be put to good use.”

Noble said the Shakopee brickyard formerly existed near the 700 Block of Bluff Avenue East along the Minnesota River. Their bricks were created through a dying and baking process, which made them softer than other bricks.

Colors range from light orange to brown with size variations as well, Noble said. He also said the approximately 2,000 bricks obtained by the city are in "excellent shape."

Anyone interested in buying bricks or filling a vacancy on the Shakopee Historic Preservation Advisory Committee can contact Noble at (952) 233-9348 or mnoble@ci.shakopee.mn.us.