1926
The original library building proved wholly inadequate and with donations from local citizens and the county library fund, a new library was built for $8,000-$9,000 and opened January 4, 1926, absolutely debt free, on the same site. (Later, an addition was added.) This library served the area until 1975 when it was closed by Hennepln County as the county had built the new regional library on Rockford Road.
In May 300 school children performed in the operetta, The Whole Year Round. The performance in the main auditorium of the school on Regent Avenue, included 21 chorus, solo, quartet and dance numbers. The Opera was presented under the supervision of Eva Barnett and Phyllis Grant.
The Minneapolis Journal October 24 issue stated “Robbinsdale, a residential suburb—on the Jefferson Highway—is a Minnesota village that is ‘all dressed up’ but is afraid to go anywhere.” A few years previously, the law under which it incorporated as a village in 1893, was repealed. So Robbinsdale was awaiting “re-incorporation.” Plans were being made for a home rule charter and for becoming a fourth-class city. Harvey A. Morse was President of the Village Council; Herbert Clasen, Clerk; and Herman Renspies, Treasurer. The village trustees were Clyde F. Burfeind, Ralph F. Peterson and R. J. Gladwin. A tremendous growth in population (from 1369 in 1920 to about 4000) and a building boom of new homes had occurred and after the 1925 fire, $250,000 had been spent on rebuilding the business area which greatly improved main street. The Journal article also mentioned that 17 miles of water mains were laid in 1926.
Dr. Elmer J. Lillehei moved to Robbinsdale and set up practice in the new Wiklund Building, 4109 West Broadway. At that time Wiklunds had a variety store on the first floor and doctor’s offices were upstairs. Dr. Lillehei died suddenly after 34 years of practicing medicine in Robbinsdale. He was 65. The famous heart surgeons were his nephews. Dr. Lillehei was active in the Masons and the American Legion and a veteran of World War I. His wife, Anne, survives him.
Village Council minutes of 1926, record that William Mueller requested sidewalk be laid in front of his new building at 42nd and West Broadway. This store was torn down in 1982 by the Housing Authority because it had deteriorated so much it was uninhabitable. The minutes also mention a Manitoba Park near 33rd and France Avenue was to be flooded for a skating rink and the “Southtown” citizens wanted a light at 36th and West Broadway and at the skating rink.
On September 15, a large “FOR SALE” sign was nailed on the frame building that had served as the Post Office in 1888 when the population was 300. When the site for the Post Office was being selected, Mr. Gus Urban agreed to move his residence from the site next to the village hall and to build the light brick building which housed the post office and several business places. The new Post Office at 4138 West Broadway had no formal dedication but 500 residents and Hennepin County farmers turned out to inspect the building and equipment. L. I. Nasett, Postmaster, acted as a guide to show the electric cancelling machines, automatic mail sorters, private boxes and steel writing tables. According to postal inspectors the equipment was the most modern of any second class office in the state.
This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodget.