ALFRED PARKER-
One of the “BIG THREE” of Robbinsdale’s early history, Mr. Parker was the son of a Methodist minister. He was born in Scarborough, Maine in 1824. Went to sea at an early age and for seven years visited most of the principal sea ports in the world. Returning to the United States just in time to enlist in the Mexican War. He came to this area in 1854. He married Francis Malbon, daughter of Jothan Malbon. They had three children, Clara, Sewell and Josie. They originally homesteaded on a tract of land near Parker Lake, which was named for him. He wanted to live nearer Minneapolis so purchased land that today is the present eastern section of Robbinsdale. He gave three acres of land for the Great Northern Station with the agreement that the train would stop here. The station and town was then called Parker’s Station. It is said Mr. Parker wanted the town named Robbinsdale and gave land for the Town Hall. Mr. Robbins wanted it Parker. They let Mr. Nasett be referee in the matter. Nasett solved the problem by sending the matter to the Washington D.C. postal officials, a decision came back that the town would have to have the same name as the railroad station. It was not a hard to get the permission from the railroad to change the name on the station to Robbinsdale. For a time the town was called that then for some unknown reason the name was changed back to Parker’s Station. Finally a vote of the people was taken on December 14, 1892. Robbinsdale won with 66 votes for and 31 against.
The first Parker home in Robbinsdale stood near where the Howard Lumber Company is now. This was their second home, probably built around 1883 or 1884. It stood at 4109 West Broadway. During World War I patriotic rallies were held on the lawn to sell war bonds and raise money for the Red Cross. On June 27, 1917 they raised $2,000 at a Red Cross Fete selling sandwiches, coffee cake and ice cream. By 1952 the home had divided into apartments. It was torn down in the early 1960’s.
-This material was gathered from the North Hennepin Post and the diaries of Ellen M. Bisbee, (sister of J. P. Shumway and Nathan F. Russ). It was compiled and edited by Evelyn and Esther Shumway for a Robbinsdale Historiocal Society slide show in 1980.
