Whiz Bang Band!

The Robbinsdale City Band is known as the longest continuing municipal band in the Upper Midwest. Its beginnings trace back to 1906, when the Grenell Minstrels performed a concert to raise money for instruments and … Read more

Water Towering

The first water tower in Robbinsdale was erected by the Dickinson & Gillespie Real Estate Company in their McNair Manor development. The company spent $250,000 before any houses were built. Streets were laid and this … Read more

On Einar’s Easel

Born in Hedemark, Norway, Einar Dahl immigrated to the United States in 1902. He found work as a harness maker and shoe salesman. After Dahl came to the Twin Cities in 1907, he eventually found … Read more

Victory Hospital

Frustrated by Minneapolis licensing requirements and bureaucracy, Dr. Samuel Samuelson decided to build Victory Hospital on property he already owned in Robbinsdale. A year before the building’s completion Dr. Samuelson told the Robbinsdale Post newspaper … Read more

The Friendly Cootie Bug

William Herbert Schaper (1914-1980) was a postman and a fisherman who enjoyed making his own fishing lures. While sitting on his front porch one day in 1948, he whittled a wooden lure that reminded him … Read more

Remembering Rollie

We are saddened to note that longtime Robbinsdale historian Rolland “Rollie” Heywood died on August 20, 2023, at age 92. He is remembered as an invaluable font of knowledge for anyone who wanted to know … Read more

It was a great kickoff to Whiz Bang Days!

Thanks to everyone who came to Graeser Park on Thursday, July 6, for the Preservation Celebration! Special thanks to the all-volunteer Robbinsdale City Band for a wonderful performance! Tracing its roots back to 1908, when … Read more

Graeser Park Preservation Project Nears Completion

  3:45 PM | Friday, May 26, 2023 | Delane Cleveland, Reporter A major restoration project of Robbinsdale’s historic Graeser Park is nearly complete. “It’s thrilling. It’s beyond imagination,” said Kristi Gibson of the Graeser … Read more

Spring on the Farm

In May 1937, Minneapolis Tribune photographer Merle Bull was sent out on assignment to capture images depicting the return of spring. His photo essay focused on farm animals in rural areas, including Robbinsdale. Here are … Read more