The Depression Decade

1930 Census: 4,427 (a 223% increase since 1920) reflecting an unprecedented building boom during the twenties, following World War I. This decade will be remembered mostly for the “Depression,” the WPA (Works Progress Administration), the … Read more

Counting on a Cookbook

1929   The Robbinsdale Library Club published a “Cook Book” which was printed by the Hennepin County Enterprise located in Robbinsdale. The cook book committee included Mrs. L. A. Bratager, General Chairman; Mrs. C. 0. … Read more

From Bootleggers to Famous Flyers

Happenings Around Town in 1928 Mathew (Matt) Spurzem was elected Constable (a public officer usually of a town or township responsible for keeping the peace and for minor judicial duties). The big task in these … Read more

Twenty-seven Headlines

1927   On January 8th, a hanger caught fire and burned six planes at the Robbinsdale Airport. Volunteer firemen were called out from Robbinsdale and Crystal Village. Damages were estimated at $25,000. Lack of a … Read more

A New Library

1926 The original library building proved wholly inadequate and with donations from local citizens and the county library fund, a new library was built for $8,000-$9,000 and opened January 4, 1926, absolutely debt free, on … Read more

Fire, Water and Wind

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, … Read more

Triple X

1924 On January 15, 1924, Thomas Girling, age 58, died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. As a State Representative of the 36th District and resident of Robbinsdale, he was a champion of rural … Read more

Uglem Upends Howard

1923 In March, Henry Uglem (above) defeated Tom Howard and F.D. White to win a three cornered fight for mayor.  Uglem had 338 votes to Howard’s 253. White took 213 votes.  Uglem intermediately went to … Read more

Fawcett’s True Confessions

1922 On February 15, 1922, a new paper appeared: The Robbinsdale Northern Headlights, George Archard, Editor It was a four-page paper, published twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday. It continued until 1933 . Later the … Read more