Robbinsdale Historical Society

The Trumps at Twin Lake

In 1890 the Village Treasurer, John Trump built a general store on the corner of 42nd and West Broadway. A couple of years later he enlarged the store and sold hardware in half of it. … Read more

In the 1890’s several private parties were cutting ice on Crystal Lake. The ice was described as extremely clear and pure. It was considered by many to be the best in the Minneapolis area. This … Read more

The Russ Grocery

Nathan Russ moved to Robbinsdale after the Civil War. He owned a small farm near Lake Road and Lake Drive. Mr. Russ was the Village Recorder for many years, but he lost the election of … Read more

The Shumways

John P. Shumway purchased 45 acres of the Crystal Lake Township for $25 dollars a piece in 1856. He built a modest home near Twin Lake and managed to get most of the land … Read more

Scott’s Emporium

Here’s a early twentieth century photo of J.B. and Hazel Scott waiting for customers to hitch up horses in front of their grocery at 4143 West Broadway. Grenell’s Pool Hall opened above the little store … Read more

Lee Elementary

Lee Elementary opened in the fall of 1948. The first principal was O.B. Aftereth. During post war years the Robbinsdale School District built 18 elementary schools. Despite local opposition, Lee closed in 1981. The school was sold and demolished to make was for the Lee Square Cooperative senior housing project a couple years later.

120 Years of Meat

The Urban Meat Market opened in 1892 and is the oldest continuous business on Robbinsdale’s main street. The previous owners were J. Coulter, G.J. Urban, K. Hoffman Senior, K. Hoffman Junior and H. Hakenmuller. It … Read more

Victory Circle

Here’s an interesting old aerial photo of the complex intersection of Oakdale, Lowry Avenue, and Victory Memorial Drive in 1950. The Dutch Treat Dairy Bar sat on the southwest side of the intersection where Oakdale, Lowry Avenue, Victory Memorial Drive and Xerxes call came together. After the dairy bar closed a little superette was named for the old roundabout at the beginning of Victory Memorial Drive opened up. Neighborhood legend has it that a kid had no business riding a bike without training wheels until they could make it around the traffic circle no handed. In the 1960′s the Victory Circle Mart became North Drug and Victory Hospital became North Memorial Hospital and has since expanded across the street and into the next two blocks. Victory Memorial Drive is still Victory Memorial, but North Drug moved into the Oakdale Medical Center and the building was torn down.

The Robin Theater

The Robin Theater was located at 4707 42nd Avenue North. The 350 seat theater was owned by William and Sidney Volks and was part of the Minnehaha Theatre Corporation. It was in operation from 1938-1949. … Read more