How it Was
Speech delivered by Evelyn Russ Shumway on December 8, 1954 to the First Congregational Church of Robbinsdale Did you ever say “My, how I’d like to have lived in the good old days.”? No cares … Read more
Odds and Ends
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