Modern Woodsmen of America

1904

The idea for a library for Robbinsdale took its first concrete step at a meeting April 6th, at the home of W. S. Sayre. Dr. D. G. Colp was elected president and Maude Stillman (Huston) secretary. Others attending were Mr. Cranston, Mr. McMillan, Thomas Girling, Mrs. W. H. Grenell, Mrs. Fred Eddy and Frances Pollard. This group became known as the Library Board. A Grenell minstrel program was planned which raised $57.80. Dr. Leonard of Minneapolis had already donated two bookcases and some books. Other local people donated books which were first housed in the office of the Columbia Hotel,  Mrs. J. Coulter was the first librarian, followed by Charles Scharf who received $4 a month. Having to pay this large salary, fundraising was needed. One concert netted 35 cents. W. I. Nolan gave a lecture netting $11.50, a basketsocial raised $15, and the Board members pledged one dollar a month. The annual membership dues for the Robbinsdale Historical Society in 2017 are only $15.00.

Colp and his Crystal Lake Home Postcard courtesy of Jeff Vick

 

 

Donald G. Colp, pastor of the First Congregational Church, began studying medicine and about 1908 began practicing medicine here. He had a lovely home overlooking Crystal Lake (where Crystal Lake Health Care Center now stands) and after his first wife died in 1929, he married Countess Utta Larisch of Bavaria in 1931. Robbinsdale residents were excited about having a countess in their midst. Dr. Colp, born in Nova Scotia, died in 1948, at age 78.

This shady drive led to the Andrew B. Robbins estate on Twin Lake. Inspired by Richard Chute, who purchased 2000 trees for the Village of St. Anthony in 1858, Robbins lined the streets of his Robbinsdale Park subdivision with willows, white curl leaf birch, oaks and elms. Postcard courtesy of Jeff Vick

 

The first recorded Arbor Day ceremony in Robbinsdale was April 29, 1904. Andrew B. Robbins addressed the gathering as the tree planting efforts were celebrated.
The Robbinsdale Park Progress mentioned Mud Lake which was not big enough to show on any map. By 1950 it was just a swamp, and later was developed into Manor Park.

Crystal Lake in the early 1900’s

For a picnic and camping grounds for the Modem Woodsmen of Hennepin
County, resorts in the vicinity of Minneapolis. A Tent City was established south of Johnson Road (36th Avenue) and the MWA (Modern Woodsmen of America) Park was to be subdivided into lots and rented to city people for outings. In June, Sorter and Jones were residents of Tent City for the summer. The lots were 40′ x 40′ and the rent for the entire summer was $5. Advertisements bragged that the tent city was on the electric line, near Crystal and Twin Lakes (see photo at the top of the post) and under the police protection of Robbinsdale. The Robbinsdaie Park Progress devoted much space to advertising this venture—”see A. S. McMillan, Editor, for purchasing lots.” This project lasted for several years. In 1905, Arthur Jones, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, married Mae Cole. moved to Robbinsdale, bought a house on Hubbard Avenue, practiced law and became an active citizen, serving on the Village Council from 1913-1918.

In 1904, the Robbinsdale Commercial Club was organized with Albert Gullette, president David Hasten, vice president; Willard Randall, secretary, and J. J. Coulter, treasurer. (HH) This was the forerunner of the Robbinsdale Businessmen’s Association, now the Chamber of Commerce.

The July 21, 1904, issue of the RobbinsdaJe Park Progress reported the annual meeting of School District No. 24. The report of the treasurer, W. H. Johnson, was read and accepted, showing a balance of $600. E. T. Kirkwood was re-elected director for three years. Only thirteen votes were cast. A school tax of four mills was voted for the ensuing year. There was a grand Fourth of July celebration with addresses, music, bicycle races, foot races, fat-man’s race (over 215 Ibs.), a ball game, sack race, ladies nail driving contest and a ladies egg race.

 

This post is part of a series based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett.

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