1946
A May 9th copy of the Robbinsdale Post shows a picture of Mrs. Kate Howe, of one of the pioneer families, receiving the 6,000th chest X-ray in the survey being conducted in School District 24 (now 281). Survey Chairman, Mrs. J. Clifford Boies, said about 8,000 free chest X-rays were given while the mobile unit was “on location” in Robbinsdale.
The Security State Bank changed its name to First Robbinsdale State Bank. It was located at 4164 West Broadway until 1950. This was the former Fawcett Building. In the early 1980’s it was occupied by Carol’s Crafts. Helen Blodgett’s Robbinsdale Then and Now book describes the thick cement walls of the old safe that remained in the basement until the building.
In May, Henry Ulgem was forced to resign as mayor because he transferred his residence to 1815 Morgan Avenue North in Minneapolis. Hess Linderholm was named mayor after the city’s charter commission backed by an opinion from the city attorney demanded the city council declare the mayor’s office vacant. Linderholm had been an Alderman for at least 14 years. Ulgem fought the decision but his change of residence disqualified him. He had been Village President before Robbinsdale incorporated as a city three times and was elected as mayor in 1944.
The news of the poliomylitis epidemic dominated the front pages of the Robbinsdaie Post. By August 8, Dr. E. J. Lillehei had reported nine victims’ in Robbinsdale, with one death. The Minnesota total by then was 740, approaching other peak years of 1910, 1917, 1925, and 1931. By September 5, there were 18 cases in Robbinsdale and school opening was postponed until September 16.
On November 11, 1946, the Lions Club International of Robbinsdale added a plaque to the flagpole on Highway 52. “Dedicated to these men who gave their lives in World War II.” The flag pole has since been removed, but we list them here because they should not be forgotten—they gave their country so much:
Earl Ammerman, John B. Augst ,Lester W. Bucholtz, William J. Dover, Claire R. Dygert, Virgil D. Erickson, James H. Hallman, John H. Hartig, Donald M. Hogan, Lyle Hollister, Richard J. Hollister, William H. Hollister, Morris T. Johnson, Elmer L. Klatwitter, Charles R. Knaeble, John L. Kuch, William J. Mueller, Paige R. Mumford,
I. Madison McBride, William R. Nelson, Mahlon F. Paulson, Frederick H. Robinson, Albert J. Smith, Glenn C. Stoffel, Robert W. Taylor, Chester H. Tucker, James E. Tucker, Jerome H. Wallace, Victor C. Willie.
The news of the poliomylitis epidemic dominated the front pages of the Robbinsdaie Post. By August 8, Dr. E. J. Lillehei had reported nine victims in Robbinsdale, with one death. The Minnesota total by then was 740, approaching other peak years of 1910, 1917, 1925, and 1931. By September 5, there were 18 cases m Robbinsdale and school opening was postponed until September 16. The first effective polio vaccine was developed in 1952.
This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett. The picture at the top of the post shows West Broadway looking south in the 1940’s.
Undated home movie made by Father Nolan