| |
City Tour of New Prague
The first settlers to come to the New Prague area ventured to America
compelled by their desire to seek new homes provide a higher standard
of living for their families and offer better opportunities to their children.
Anton Philipp, a Bavarian, was the first settler to come to New Prague
in 1856. When he arrived in St. Paul, Philipp sought the counsel of Bishop
Joseph Cretin who told him the best lands in the Minnesota Valley were
occupied already, but the territory south of Shakopee held great promise.
During the summer of 1856, Philipp built the first log cabin on the south
bank of Philipps Creek.
A few months later Albert Vrtis, a Bohemian settler also sought the advice
of Bishop Cretin, when he was directed to a Catholic community to the
north, near the present day city of St. Cloud. The group journeyed up
the Mississippi, but at Fort Snelling they mistakenly turned up the Minnesota
River, reaching Shakopee. There they were directed south, to Anton Phillip's
settlement.
The first builders and developers in New Prague were Anton Philipp, Albert
Vrtis, M.Hanzl, Joseph Stehlick, Thomas Suchomel, M. Stepka, M. Borak
and Albert Janovsky. New Prague was established as a village in 1877.
Early settlers raised a cow or two for each family's use. Dairying advanced
to a point where the need for a sound, business-like marketing system
became apparent. Talk of forming a cooperative creamery was begun early
in the 1900's. A meeting was called on September 2, 1911 for the purpose
of discussing the feasibility of such a step. At this meeting an association
was formed, a committee of five was formed to draft articles of incorporation
and serve as a board of directors until the first annual election in December.
A new building was erected and formally opened June 17, 1912. It remained
The New Prague Creamery Association until the 1970's when it became part
of A.M.P.I. (American Milk Producers, Inc.)
According to Dr. E.E. Novak, small grain had been the main crop. He saw
the need for diversification of field crops and the improving of herds
by use of purebred stock. He began raising corn, bought Duroc-Jersey hogs
and Red Polled cows. In 1922 the Community Club decided to organize a
livestock show to:
Develop greater interest in diversified farming.
Improve the quality of livestock in southern Minnesota,
Encourage 4-H club work,
Provide educational opportunities in the livestock field.
Known as the Southern Minnesota Livestock Show it evolved into a very
successful, well-managed event. It included the counties of Le Sueur,
Scott, Steele, Rice, Carver, Dakota, Nicollet, Wabasha, Blue Earth and
McLeod. By 1930 there were 174 4-H club entries, especially in sheep and
calves. Twelve schools were also represented in the stock-judging contest.
The first mill was built about 1875 beside the creek, west of the present
mill. It was operated by steam and used millstones for grinding.
F.A. Bean, Sr., established the New Prague Flouring Mill in 1896. In it's
early days, wheat was bought from farmers of the New Prague area. It evolved
into an international business known as International Milling, currently
part of the ConAgra conglomerate, which produces two well-known brands
of flour, Seal of Minnesota and Robin Hood.
The New Prague Cooperative Oil Company was essentially a farmer's organization
for dealing in petroleum products, wholesale and retail. Begun by a group
of interested farmers on September 15, 1925, the first sale was made January
26, 1926. Over the years it has expanded from agricultural products into
the wide variety of services known as Minnesota Valley Ag Co-op.
New Prague is a rapidly growing rural community located just 45 miles
southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul in Scott and LeSueur counties. New Prague
has developed a unique identity as a bridge between rural and metropolitan
areas. The City has a vital Main Street and a growing commercial and industrial
base. The residents have blended the Czech and German heritages with today's
modern culture and the local area is often referred to as "Czech
Country". There are many sites to attract tourists into the area.
New Prague Links
New Prague Chamber of Commerce
New Prague Schools
City of New Prague |
