Posts – Page 48 – Robbinsdale Historical Society

Robbinsdale Public School

In 1913 the old Parker School, built in 1890, was deemed too small for a growing student body numbering over 200 students. $14,000 in bonds were issued to pay for the construction of four additional … Read more

Ben Franklin

The Ben Franklin five and dime variety store chain was established in 1927. At its peak, there were 2,500 stores nationwide. Hollsten’s owned and operated the Robbinsdale on West Broadway for over a decade. Frank … Read more

Peace Lutheran Church

Robbinsdale churches experienced a building boom in the 1950’s. Olivet United Methodist led the way, breaking ground at Chowen and 43rd Avenue North in 1950. A couple years later, Faith Lilac Way dedicated a new … Read more

Buses on Broadway

Beginning in 1942 a Twin City Rapid Transit feeder bus met the Penn Avenue streetcar in Minneapolis at a terminal near 42nd and Thomas and went to Robbinsdale along 42nd, Abbott, Noble and Vera Cruz … Read more

Robbinsdale High School

The old Robbinsdale High School on Regent was built with $124,000 from local tax payers and $135,000 provided by the federal government’s Public Works Administration. The building is remembered as one of the best investments … Read more

No Place to Get Thin!

The Chase family owned the Hamburger Inn in Robbinsdale. The little building, seen on the right hand side of this postcard was torn down in 2013 to make way for the new Travail restaurant. Sam Chase and Ma Chase are pictured behind the counter below. Sam worked at Ewald Dairy. He started deliveries with a horse and buggy and eventually drove a truck. The family operated the restaurant on West Broadway for 35 years.

Because the wives of the Robbinsdale Masons who belonged to Compass Lodge #265 decided they too, should have an organization, Robbinsdale Chapter #238, Order of the Eastern Star was started in 1921 with 78 charter members. Julia Randall was the first Worthy Matron and Dan Libby, Worthy Patron. The Masonic temple was just a gleam in the eyes of Compass Lodge members. Meetings were held over a garage on West Broadway. They were often interrupted by noisy car engines and deliberations had to be paused until silence prevailed.

If you were a swinging teen back in the 60s, dance halls provided a great all-ages option. When rock ‘n’ roll was young, so were the people listening to it. Twin City bars weren’t interested … Read more

The New Robbinsdale Book is Here!

The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s library is “Robbinsdale” by local author Pete Richie. The pictorial history book, released on July 7th, 2014, uses black and white photographs to showcase Robbinsdale’s compelling history.

While serving in the state legislature, Andrew B. Robbins visited the lakes, woods and rolling hills just north of Minneapolis. Inspired by the landscape and potential for development, he purchased 90 acres and created the Robbinsdale Park subdivision in 1887. Robbins worked tirelessly to bring schools, industry and a streetcar line to the area. In 1893 Robbinsdale incorporated as a village bearing his name.

Images of America: Robbinsdale provides readers with a complete history of what started out as a lake-side village. It includes several photos of the 16-room mansion Robbins built in his estate and other notable houses. This book includes rare images from this early suburb and captures memorable days of dancing, boating and entertaining.