Sulphur Springs Near Shakopee to be Developed into a Modern Sanitarium. The natural resources of the Northwest have for years been a source of wonder to everybody, and a recent discovery adds another to the long list of advantages presented in this territory. The latest is the discovery of natural Sulphur springs two miles outside of Shakopee which promise relief to sufferers from rheumatism and kindred diseases. Western enterprise has acquired the property, some 120 acres, and plans are under way for the erection of a commodious sanitarium on the property. If one sat down to imagine an ideal site for such an enterprise he would find his thoughts exactly coincident with the conditions presented at the Shakopee springs. Those interested in the movement are Dr. H. P. Fischer, who has practiced medicine in Shakopee for 15 years and who is prominently identified with the Shakopee Telephone company and other enterprises; Dr. T. M. Larsen, a graduate in scientific massage at Copenhagen, Denmark; F. W. Goodrich, a capitalist of Shakopee, and E. A. Conrad company of Minneapolis, the fiscal agents of the new company recently incorporated, which will be known as the Shakopee Mineral Springs company. Dr. Fischer is the president and general manager; Dr. Larsen, vice-president and bath superintendent, and Mr. Goodrich, secretary-treasurer and general superintendent. The Shakopee Mineral Springs company is capitalized at $50,000 – 500 shares at $100 – $35,000 in capital or preferred stock with a cumulative 7 per cent annual dividend and $15,000 common stock, the latter carrying with it the voting power for the election of the board of directors and the officers of the company. The limit of indebtedness of the new corporation is specified at $10,000. The property containing the springs contains 120 acres, with acres and acres of Sulphur mud, most valuable in the treatment of rheumatism, skin and nervous diseases. There are three active Sulphur springs, one fresh water spring and one iron spring on the property. The main Sulphur spring, a picture of which is reproduced, flows at the rate of 900 gallons an hour, and the second and third springs between them produce about as much more. When the piping of these springs is completed it is expected that there will be a production of at least 2,000 gallons of Sulphur water per hour. Plans are being prepared now for the building, excavation for which has been started, and it is expected will be completed in the spring. These first buildings will afford accommodations for 75 patients and the staff of the company, nurses, physicians and attendants. The main building will be 40×80 feet and of three stories, brick and concrete construction. There will also be one wing 40×70, two floors and basement, for the bathhouse, and another wing of 40×30 for the kitchen. In every way the sanitarium will be complete and thoroughly modern, having the latest appliances for giving all kinds of baths and massage treatment. In speaking of the field offered in the Northwest for such a sanatorium, Dr. Fischer, who is in a position to judge carefully of conditions, said that there are enough people in the Northwest alone suffering from rheumatism, skin and nervous diseases to crowd the new building to overflowing. And now, a word as to the water itself. One doesn’t have to be told by word of mouth that there are several regular Sulphur springs in the neighborhood. The water is reputed to be stronger than Sulphur water found at the other famous springs in the country, and one can easily believe this on walking over the property. The water on analysis shows up strong in those properties most useful in the treatment of rheumatism, kidney and nervous disorders… (The Minneapolis Tribune, Sunday, November 15, 1908, Page 4)
A.A. Clausen, the architect, reports that the general contract for the Shakopee Mineral Springs company’s sanitarium has been let to Brown & Benz, their figure being $29,700. Work on the foundations of the several buildings is about completed and the general contract will be started at once. The grounds of the mineral springs company are about two miles from Shakopee and a large plant is to be built comprising a complete sanitarium, bath houses of all kinds and kitchens. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Sunday, January 10, 1909, Page 38)
Mudcura Sanitarium, the new $50,000 sulphur bath institute of the Shakopee Mineral Springs company, is now in operation having opened its doors last Monday, July 26, with 20 patients seeking relief from rheumatism. The new Mudcura-Sanitarium is situated among beautiful natural surroundings. The main building is a fire-proof structure, three stories in height, of brick and concrete construction. It has its own electric light, heat and power plants, is excellently furnished and modern in every particular. Especial attention is devoted to the hotel department. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Sunday, August 1, 1909, Page 7)
World’s records were broken by Princess Aggie Polkadot De Kol, a Holstein cow, owned by Dr. H. P. Fischer at his Mudcura farm, Shakopee, who finished a yearly test on January 15 as a senior four-year-old with 31,600 pounds of milk and 1,052.5 pounds of butter fat, equivalent to 1,315 pounds of butter. Official notice that this is a world’s record for both milk and butter in the senior four-year-old division was received by W. E. Peterson, superintendent of official testing at the University Farm. The milk production is also a state record over all ages. (The Minneapolis Morning Tribune, Monday, February 13, 1922, Page 5)
