Bloberger and Brimhall
1896 The February 22, 1904, issue of the Robbinsdale Park Progress gave tribute to a pioneer, George L. Brimhall, who died on September 17, 1896. In 1876 he purchased a farm of 160 acres on … Read more
People
Ice and Fire
1894 In January people in Robbinsdale were advised to arm themselves when traveling on Crystal Lake Avenue to Minneapolis after dark, after B.J. Browning had been held up by robbers while returning home after selling … Read more
Girling Gets Things Going
1893 Thomas H. Girling, born in England in 1865, had considerable impact as a publisher and civic leader in Robbinsdale. He had learned the printing business and in February, 1893, started publishing the weekly “Picturesque … Read more
Robbinsdale Park Additions
1892 At this time our area of Crystal Village seemed to be referred to as Robbinsdale Park because the platted areas were named A. B. Robbins First Addition to Robbinsdale Park,” “Brimhall’s First Addition to … Read more
Good Old Gus
1891 Mr. Robbins was interested in attracting people to the village and in order to make it more convenient for those who might live here and continue to carry on business in the city, he … Read more
Haakon and the Village Hall
1888 The late 1880’s were busy ones for this area. Haakon Christensen, born in Oslo, Norway, in 1859, first visited Robbinsdale to attend the laying of the cornerstone of the Seminary. He returned shortly after, … Read more
The Village of Crystal
1887 In 1886 Minneapolis made an effort to annex all bordering townships to secure more taxable property and money for improvements and perhaps to outclass St. Paul in population. At once, the people of Crystal … Read more
The Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery
1863 In all pioneer communities there comes a time when people decide to bury their loved ones in an official cemetery — rather than under a favorite tree on the home farm. On November 20, … Read more
During the Dakota War
1862 Following a cold spring in 1861, hard times came along. The Dakota War of ’62 did not affect the settlers here except to make them nervous. Horartio Stillman bundled his family into his wagon … Read more