Adelaide Robbins
Adelaide Julia Walker was born in Xenia, Ohio. Her father went West in the Gold Rush, leaving her mother with four small children. He and his wagon train never returned. It is thought they all … Read more
Andrew Bonney Robbins
Andrew B. Robbins was born in Philips, Maine, April 27, 1845 – the son of Daniel and Mary Shaw Robbins. In 1855 his family came to Anoka, Minnesota where his father built the first steam … Read more
John Shumway
John Shumway came from Mansfield, Connecticut in 1855 and settled on a claim near Elk River. He didn’t stay long because of the rattle snakes and mosquitoes. He returned to Connecticut – taught school for … Read more
The Railroad Depot
Work was begun on the railroad in the fall of 1880. The first passenger train came through on November 17, 1881. People couldn’t get their work done as they spent so much time watching the … Read more
The First School
The first school house was built on the farm of H. R. Stillman – stood about at 4342 Adair Avenue. Probably built in the 1870’s – a one room building. Here the folks gathered for … Read more
The Little White Church
This Free Will Baptist Church – always known as the “Little White Church”, stood on what is now West Broadway near the Bass Lake Road, on the farm of Josiah Dutton – who came from … Read more
Big Hearted Gus
GUS URBAN’S MEAT MARKET- Gus Urban came with other members of his family to Minneapolis in the 1880’s. He took a job working for Mr. C. Coulter of Robbinsdale in 1895 as driver, salesman on … Read more
Christensen’s Blacksmith Shop
-THE BLACKSMITH This is a view taken about 1906 looking northeast from 42nd and West Broadway – then called Crystal Lake Avenue and Shingle Creek Road. The First Robbinsdale State Bank now occupies that site. … Read more
A Real Mansion
The Robbins Home- The Robbins home was built on 14 acres of land, sloping down to the shores of Twin Lake, which had been purchased from J. P. Shumway in June of 1887. Work began … Read more