1925
On February 25, in a bitter sub-zero gale, a disastrous fire burned down one half of a block of the business district. Flames started in the rear of R. L. Schuller’s two-story farm implement, appliance and automobile store, the first brick building erected in Robbinsdale, 28 years previously. Schuller lived upstairs, smelled smoke and evacuated his parents and brother. Joseph Hommes’ hardware store was next to go with explosions from paint and hunting supplies. The Ole Olson Bakery and the William Loomis candy store went next. Towns people helped save almost fifty automobiles from the Main Garage run by Basil Hunter. Loss was limited to five businesses and the homes of Arthur Kirkwood and E. E. Wiklund which included a variety store. Forty-five firemen from Minneapolis helped Robbinsdale volunteers to keep the blaze from jumping the main street. They had to chop a hole in Crystal Lake and lay 3,000 feet of hose to bring water to the fire scene. Wind carried sparks and embers as far south as 3805 West Broadway. The fire burned out the half block between Crystal Lake Avenue and Hubbard and 41st Avenues south of the hotel. Loss was estimated at $150,000.
In the 1924 election for a public water supply, the issue had been defeated by a vote of 324 for and 353 against. The McNair Manor water system was offered to the village but a restricting order was issued October 11, 1924, against the acceptance of it. There were questions of quality. However, a Taxpayers League committee (William Bursch, T. Howard, C. W. Carter, Harry Hench and E. J. O’Reilly) appeared before the Village Council. The discussion must have been favorable because on February 3, 1925, (after the disastrous fire in January), the Council asked the City of Minneapolis to furnish water to Robbinsdale. No election was held, bonds were sold, a contract was signed with Minneapolis on June 19, contracts were awarded June 30, 1925, and work was started from Lowry to France, on Hubbard from France to Rockford Road (42nd Avenue North), thence on Rockford Road to Glenwood (Yates), then down Yates to 39th Avenue, then to Noble (Vilas), then to Robin Street (41st Avenue], then to Hubbard, and on 40th Avenue from Hubbard to Drew. Mr. W. S. Sayre was employed at $20 per week to supervise and inspect the installation of the system. Additions continued to be made to the water system and many mains were laid with the help of WPA in the 1930’s.
In 1926, an addition to the Village Hall was built to accommodate the fire engine. Fire insurance rates were reduced because of better fire protection. Fire protection has greatly improved. In 1967, Robbinsdale acquired a “snorkel” and in 1980, the newest of our fire rigs. The Fire Chief, since 1977, is Thomas C. Sipe. His father, Walter Sipe, served on the fire department from 1926 to 1952. Walter, with his brother William, who had chauffered for Dr. Donald G. Colp, had the first gasoline pump located on the curb at 4132 West Broadway.
About 1925 the names of many of the streets were changed to eliminate duplication and to bring about a unified system between the villages of Crystal, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale. To achieve alphabetical arrangement of the streets and avenues, some of the names honoring the pioneer settlers were changed; some beautiful and distinctive names became meaningless duplications of those of countless other small towns and large cities. By April, 1929, the campaign “to end address confusion” with new house numbers and street changes was completed. Crystal Lake Avenue became West Broadway; College Avenue, Regent. Robbins, Coulter, Shumway, Stillman Wagner, Woods and others were lost and Lake View, Lakeland, Lake Drive, Lake Curve, and Lake Road have arisen to puzzle delivery men and confuse guests to this day.
On June 2nd, a tornado leveled the home of Gust Althoff. a local barber, at 3528
Major Avenue. The tornado cut a wide swath. Damages were reported in Wayzata, New Brighton, Anoka and Osseo. Fortunately, there were no deaths.
This post is part of a series based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodget.