I am interested in the early history (1800 -1870's) of Shakopee and surrounding area. I was born in Eagle Creek and this area is of particular interest to me but the early settlers in Shakopee, Spring Lake, and generally the Eastern half of Scott County and even the Western part of Dakota County are of interest. I have relative that lived in that area and some still do.

My impression is that many of these people were of German and Irish decent. How they got to this area and the reasons why they came are of particular interest to me. How was land purchased in that time period (before the Land Grant Law)?

People interested in other areas are of course welcome to participate. I am sure there are many people like me from the Shakopee area that now live in other states or even countries that follow news of their home state and town on the Internet and by looking at newspapers that cover that area.