America’s Finest Theatre

In 1951, when the Terrace opened on a small hill above Crystal Lake, the building was one of the most dramatic and elegant theaters ever built in the Twin Cities. The International-style exterior was made up of a series of rectangles and a towering marquee, topped by the theater’s name. Inside the front doors, beyond the lobby, the Terrace was equipped with sweeping foyers overlooking a rolling lawn and enormous parking lot.

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The Lutheran Church of Redeemer

In 1923 construction began on a Lutheran mission church at 41st and Regent Avenue North. A dedication ceremony took place on Sunday, April 20th, 1924. Rev. H.L. Paul was called to serve the mission congregation. … Read more

A Bad Name for a Bar?

Here’s a an old photo of Adolph’s Bar on West Broadway. Flo Ann (Jullie) Tauber’s husband opened the bar before the war, but Flo was probably running the place when this photo was taken. She … Read more

Congregational Falls

In 1961 the old First Congregational Church was sold to another church group. In 1965 the church was demolished to make way for a filling station that later became Pilgrim Cleaners. One of the area’s … Read more

The Robbinsdale Library

The Robbiinsdale Library opened on January 4, 1926. The cost of construction was funded with donations from local citizens and the library club. The Hennepin County Library system took over the library in 1972, but … Read more

Our First Fire Engine

  The Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1894. Here is  a “Bucket Brigade” pictured with the first real fire engine purchased in 1926. An addition to the old Village Hall, built to accommodate the … Read more

The Luther Theological Seminary

Robbinsdale was almost a college town. The Luther Theological Seminary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church was built on 10 acres donated by Andrew Robbins, George Brimhall, and Alfred Parker in 1889.The grand opening audience of … Read more

The Robbins Mansion on Twin Lake

Our city’s founder, Andrew Robbins built his 16 room Queen Anne-style mansion on the west side of Lower Twin Lake in 1890. The house stood just south of where highway 100 is today. Robbins’ daughter … Read more