The Robbins Home-
The Robbins home was built on 14 acres of land, sloping down to the shores of Twin Lake, which had been purchased from J. P. Shumway in June of 1887. Work began in May of 1888 grading down a hill, putting the dirt on the lake shore.
At one time there were 13 teams and 25 men working there. When grass seed was planted and elm and evergreen trees set out, it was referred to as Robbins Park. The house was started April 2, 1890. April 14th saw 9 men at work – May 12th they were making the cellar bigger. By July 7th the house was growing fast. On October 21st two loads of goods came to the Robbins house -the goods kept coming. The family moved in on November 18th. There were 16 rooms- a real mansion and very modern for those days.
There were five fireplaces rooms marble wash stands with running water in each bedroom and maids quarters. The grounds were carefully laid out with extensive lawns – walks – a small natural pool with fountain – shrubs and flowers of all kinds and a beautiful winding driveway with over hanging trees. The house stood just north of the former Gerlach home on Lakeland Avenue near Highway 100.
-This material was gathered from the North Hennepin Post and the diaries of Ellen M. Bisbee, (sister of J. P. Shumway and Nathan F. Russ). It was compiled and edited by Evelyn and Esther Shumway for a Robbinsdale Historiocal Society slide show in 1980.
