Raw Robbinsdale Then and Now Revision

1852

On January 1, 1852, the Third Territorial Legislative Assembly created Hennepin County and a map filed at the Surveyor General’s office on, February 27, 1854, shows we belonged to Township No. 29 N., Range No. 24 W., 4th Meridian which included territory east of the Mississippi River and south of Cedar Lake. (Copy at Minneapolis Public Library). An 1860 map at the Minneapolis Public Library shows a lake just north of Crystal Lake and straight east of the southern tip of Lower Twin, named Armstrong. (Area of 44th and Drew Avenue). Nothing seemed to be platted; however, claims were being made starting in 1852. An 1874 map shows Crystal Township to be much smaller, extending only to the Mississippi and south to about 26th Avenue, North. (IHA) Mr. E. K. Jaques, in 1891, gave a beautiful description of Crystal Lake Township, “bound on the east by the Mississippi River, on the north by Brooklyn, on the west by Plymouth and on the south by Minneapolis, originally as far south as 26th Avenue North.” He describes the lakes and says they “abound in fish and from the southeast end of Lower Twin, a beautiful stream, the south branch of Shingle Creek, flows eastward through Armstrong Lake and empties into the Mississippi at Camden Place . . . Armstrong is the smallest of the four lakes in this town.” He describes Crystal Prairie, “four miles long and one mile wide starting at the southwest end of Crystal Lake extending northwesterly to the town line. Between this, prairie and the chain of lakes is a fine grove of timber, a favorite resort for and pleasure parties from Minneapolis.” (Later the site of MWA Park). The early settlement of Crystal Lake was almost coincident with that of Minneapolis itself. John Ware Dow was the first to file a claim in Crystal Lake Township. March 26, 1852. John C. Bohanon filed the next day. Later in the year came Mrs. Rhoda Bean and family, Joel and Eben Howe, John M. Snow. Hiram Armstrong. David Smith, George Camp and L. P. Warren. (The established price was $1.25 per acre.)

Arrivals to the Area

1853

 

1. C.Young

 

1. C. Roth

 

John Gearty

 

1. Wagner (Mrs. Wagner was the first white woman in these parts.)

 

Thomas Kirkwood

 

Josiah Dutton

 

McNair

 

Leonard Gould

 

1. S. Hopper

 

Rufus Farnham

 

1. Gillespie

 

Luther Bartlow

 

Isaac Singleton

 

Newton Wales

 

John Reidhead

 

1854 and later

 

Nicholas Shaffer

 

George Giebenhain

 

1. S. and David Malbon

 

Richard Jaques

 

1. R. Stillman

 

1. B.Johnson

 

1. C. Crandall

 

1. W. Gibbs

 

1. H. White

 

David Bies

 

1. Yonker

 

Elisha Rivenburg

 

1. Reichard

 

1. Bohanon

 

John and Peter Schuller (from Prussia)

 

1. Hommes

 

1. S. Jones

 

Duston Merritt

 

1. M. Reidhead

 

Elisha McCausland

 

1853

 

In January,1853, the county Commissioners created the School Districts in Hennepin County. District # 1 was located in the village of Minneapolis, District #2 included nearly the whole northern section of the county. Mr. John Dow was notified of the fact by Colonel John H. Stevens, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners. A school, taught by a Miss Smith was opened that same summer in a claim shanty, with less than a dozen pupils. This was the first school north of Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

Colonel John H. Stevens describes the history of the township as being “as uneventful and prosaic as that of any new community could possibly be. The settlers simply came in and took claims and made farms with little to annoy or trouble them, or to make them afraid, excepting the grasshopper raid of 1857. These pests did not make a total clean-up in Crystal Lake Township, as they did in some of the other new communities, and the people, fore, had something else besides ginseng to keep the wolf from the door during the long cold winter of 1857-58.”

But it is impossible to dismiss the pioneering days so quickly. The story of a few of the first settlers is suggestive of the industry and vision of group.

1854

Alfred Parker was born in Maine, in 1824, the son of a Methodist clergyman He served in the Mexican War, and went to California in the gold rush of ’49. After returning east, he came to Galena, Illinois, by rail, then up the river to St.Paul. He came to what is now Robbinsdale in 1854 and homesteaded a farm, which included the site of the former depot, just south of 42nd Avenue. His home stood near the former Howard Lumber Company office.The next year he married Elizabeth Malbon, daughter of Jonathan Malbon. During the early days the Indians often made raids on the Parker farms taking cattle, corn and other provisions. His new house, formerly at 4109 Lakeland was built by his father-in-law, J. S. Malbon, who turned it over to the Parkers. Then Mr. Malbon built the one north of it, 4115 Lakeland, for his own use. The Parker place was used as a stop over by travelers and teamsters hauling on the Bottineau road, now West Broadway. Both houses were torn down in the 1970’s as they were then in the center of the “commercial” area of the city.

Horatio R. Stillman was born in 1832 in Ohio, and when he was 21, his father gave him $200 (to make his fortune). By making oars for boats, he was able to double it in the same year. In the fall he set out for Minnesota with his brother. To help pay the expenses of the journey, the party transported live stock with them, and after crossing the state of Illinois, were able to complete the trip by water. Upon arrival here, Mr. Stillman secured a span of horses and engaged in teaming, selling wood, and so on. He homesteaded (in 1854) the tract of land where the house (once the Stillman home, now the Faith Lilac Way Church) had stood for over 50 years. He erected a shanty and put in a wheat crop. After the spring of ’56 he devoted his entire attention to farming, clearing, and breaking land. After the fertility of the soil was exhausted for wheat, he found that it would produce a fine quality of hay. He equipped the farm for the dairy business, finding a ready market. for butter and cheese in nearby Minneapolis. In 1864, he served with the Eleventh Regiment. He was willing to take his part in civic affairs, serving at various times as Township Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, and School Board member. He died in 1920. He had one daughter, Maude Stillman Huston, who lived at 4155 Quail Avenue until 1963. A table from the Stillman farm was donated in 1982 to the Robbinsdale Historical Society by the William Driver, ]r. family. The table is on display at the Robbinsdale History Museum. Look for it to the left of the door when you walk in.

1855

Mr. John P. Shumway, a native of Connecticut. took a claim in 1855 in Wright County, cleared five acres, and erected a bark shanty. Working without a team, he put in a small crop, sold it, and then went back to Connecticut. In 1856, he returned, purchased 45 acres at $25 each in Crystal Lake Township, where his home later stood, near Twin Lake. It was wild land and as a protection against the strong winds he often had to reinforce the walls of his house with props. He purchased a yoke of oxen, adding to his debt, and by the end of the year his deficit was $1,100. But by sturdy perseverance and hard work—sometimes setting out posts and building fences by moonlight—he managed to get 20 or 30 acres under cultivation, later increasing it to 70 acres.

n 1890, he donated a half acre on the corner of Shumway Avenue and Shingle Creek Road (now Lakeland and 42nd) for the Congregational Church and parsonage. He was a charter member of the church and an active one for the rest of his life. He served as Township Treasurer for 20 years. In memory of his wife who died in 1914, he donated a stained-glass window for the original Congregational Church. His twin granddaughters, Esther and Evelyn, were well known in Robbinsdale as keepers of historical records.

1860

 

In 1857 a State Constitution was ratified by the people and on May 11, 1858, Minnesota was admitted into the Union by an Act of Congress”, the 32nd State. The population in 1857 was 150,037. For some reason this community was not organized then as most of the towns were. It was a farming community and the settlers were more eager to clear the land and plant crops than in starting towns to make reading for later historians; but after a portion of the township was assigned by the County Commissioners to the town of Brooklyn, and another portion to Minneapolis, the residents decided to protect their interests. On March 24, 1860, a caucus was held in the home of J. S. Malbon to organize the township of Crystal Lake and commence its civil history. At that time it consisted of 24 sections (over 15,000 acres). Two tiers of sections from Brooklyn and two from Minneapolis were taken for this purpose. Crystal Lake Township was bounded on the east by the Mississippi River, on the south by the village of Minneapolis, on the north by Brooklyn township and on the west by Plymouth township. On April 3, 1860, again at Malbon’s home, an election was held and the following were named to offices:

 

Supervisors;

 

1. S. Plummer, Chairman

 

John B. Johnson

 

Henry S. Warren

 

Supt. of Schools:

 

1. R. Thompson

 

Treasurer;

 

Zachariah GiIIespie

 

Constables;

 

Warren Willey

 

1. S. Kales

 

Assessor;

 

Luther Bartlow (who failed to qualify and Josiah Dutton was appointed later.)

 

Justices:

 

1. S. Camp

 

David Jones

 

The total vote cast at the meeting was 55 and when one considers that 55 represented the male population which had settled here within 8 years it is more impressive. The tax voted for all township purposes $200.00. A story told of the earliest town meeting (Township and town were used “rather loosely m the records but the civil unit was a township”) exemplifies the primitive political state. Every settler was so busy with his own affairs that none desired to serve as an officer. As soon as “men were nominated, they would decline to serve. N. R. Thompson was moderator. He examined the law and found that any freeholder unwilling to serve could be fined $50 and costs. “Gentlemen,” he announced, “I have no desire to interfere with any private affairs, but the next man elected as an officer of Crystal Lake Township who refuses to serve shall be fined $50” and read the’law. The offices were soon filled. Of the early settlers few became prominent in state or county affairs, but N. R. Thompson, who was the first moderator of the first town meeting, also became the first Superintendent of Schools in the town. He later was Sheriff of Hennepin County for four years and served several terms on the Minneapolis City Council.

The first religious group to organize was the Crystal Lake and Brooklyn Free Will Baptist Church. It was started in 1860 with six members, including the Stillmans, Merritts, and Thompsons. A church (pictured with the 1860 township map at the top of this post) was built in 1875 on land donated by Josiah Dutton (who came from Vermont in 1853) on the corner of Bass Lake Road and West Broadway, formerly called Jefferson Highway and earlier Bottineau Road. It was commonly called “The Little White Church.” The Robbinsdale Historical Society has a chair from that church. Some of the early settlers sold farms to a colony of Germans who were mostly Catholics, and in 1863 built their first building, using it for a school house as well as for services. In 1873 it was remodeled for exclusive church use and named St. Marie’s Catholic Church. Services were held there until 1914 when the parish was consolidated with Sacred Heart and the church torn down. Peter and John Schuller and Bernard Hommes had donated a five-acre tract for the church and cemetery, familiar to those who decorate the graves of veterans of so many wars on Memorial Day each year. The cemetery at 45th and Xylon Avenue North, originally St. Marie’s, is now called Assumption Cemetery and is managed by Gethsemane Cemetery.

 

1861

 

The year following the organization of the township, the Civil War commenced. The town paid no bounties, but furnished its quota of men. In the Hennepin County “Roster of Military Men” are many familiar names:

 

Anthony Trump

 

1. Jones

 

Ben and Samuel Rice George Forsaith

 

Eben, Samuel

 

Joel Howe Horace Bohanon

 

Joseph Gagne, Jr.

 

Israel Parker

 

1. Hamilton Bartlett

 

Charles Libby Gilbert

 

Merritt James Nash

 

1. P. Shumway

 

1. R. Stillman

 

And others…

 

Robbinsdale was just a twinkle in the eye Andrew B. Robbins when he joined the “Boys in Blue,” enlisting in the Eighth Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers, with which he served until the close of the Civil war. His company was on active duty in connection with the suppression of the Indian uprising under General Sully, going to the relief of Captain Fisk and later was sent south, where it was attached to General Schofield, Twenty-third Army Corps, participating in the second battle of Murfreesboro, and also in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Afterward the command was joined to General Sherman’s forces. Robbins saw active duty on some of the most hotly contested battle fields of the South. The future Mrs. Andrew B. Robbins, Adelaide Walker the Civil War helping her mother and her sister Helen with diets, linen room, dressings and “home letters” at Camp Chase and Tripler General Hospitals through Civil War and was granted “honorable discharge” by Dorothy Dix, chief of volunteer nurses.

1862

Following a cold spring in 1861, hard times came along. The Dakota War of ’62 did not affect the settlers here except to make them nervous. Horartio Stillman bundled his family into his wagon and took them to Minneapolis. A few pioneers gathered at the Dutton homestead north of town (near the Bass Lake Road and Jefferson Highway intersection), converted it into a small fortress, and resolved to fight it out. After several anxious days, the danger passed without a sight of any of the marauding bands that were terrorizing the communities. (In a 1938 interview, the Duttons recalled the tribal wars of the Sioux and Chippewas, when their campfires burned brightly within a few miles of the city. Frequent bands of Indians would ride up to the homestead, sometimes to demand lodging, sometimes food—the requests were always granted!)

he Dakota War of 1862 completely destroyed whole towns—such as New Ulm. Settlers like those pictured at the top of this post fled to escape violence. Perhaps our area was spared because Pierre Bottineau’s mother was a Native American, so he no doubt was a peace “go-between.”  Bottineau was a scout for General Sibley and visited the Osseo area in 1852 and later came back to claim what was once known as Bottineau’s Prairie. The 1854 Pierre Bottineau House, located near the chalet in Elm Creek Park Reserve has been restored and is in use as a museum.    The road to Osseo (West Broadway up to Osseo was, as late as 1904, called Bottineau Road; later, Jefferson Highway; and now, West Broadway.

1863

 

In all pioneer communities there comes a time when people decide to bury their loved ones in an official cemetery — rather than under a favorite tree on the home farm. On November 20, 1863, a group of citizens from Brooklyn and Crystal Townships met to organize an association for the “purpose of a cemetery and burriel of the dead.” Many meetings were held; the first land purchased from W. G. Jaques was determined to be too low and the present site was purchased from Thomas P. Hill. It was called Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery and located four and a half miles north of Rockford Road on West Broadway.  The first lots were sold in 1867 and several bodies were moved in from scattered locations, including five Getchell children. Alvah Getchell, age 19, was killed in action against the Indians in 1862. Four younger children died the next year. No record could be found as to the cause. This cemetery is the final resting place of many early (and later) Robbinsdale residents Shumway, Nassett, Malbon, Crandall, Jaques, Parker, Newell, Stillman, Patch, Johnson, and Bartlett, to name a few.

According to the Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery Association‘s website, The initial tract of land where the cemetery is now located was purchased from Thomas P. Hill for $30.00. On September 1, 1896, an additional tract was purchased from Adolph Hartkopf.

Over the years many Robbinsdale people have been officers of the association including D. C. Crandall, Wm. Stinchfield, Pierce Malbon, W. H. Johnson, V. D. Crandall, Thomas Kirkwood, G. Merritt, A. J. Coulter, Julius Sessing, and E. N. Russ.

 

In recent years it has become difficult to identify the living owners of many of the grave sites. Ownership within families is passed to the surviving spouse, oldest living child or another designated person. Owners often sell or donate unused grave sites back to the Association. The cemetery and the memory of those who now rest there is a gift to anyone interested in the early days Robbinsdale and the surrounding area.

The Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery Association is a non-profit organization. All donations are very welcome and help fund their expenses and grounds maintenance.

1865

After the Civil War ended and the military reservation was reduced, the settlement of Minneapolis, Crystal Lake, and other towns developed rapidly. The first school for District No. 24 was built in 1865 was located on the Stillman farm at about 4342 Adair Avenue, it served for 25 years as a school, later being used for a dwelling then torn down and the lumber used in the construction of a barn. The school was a focal point for grange meetings, spelling bees, singing school, Sunday school, town meetings and elections. School was held off and on during the year when the children were not needed to work in the fields. Often school was closed because there was no wood for the stove or when there was an epidemic of measles or diphtheria. On the last day of school, parents were invited to a program and sometimes the pupils received a little gift from the teacher—such as a pencil. (Pencils were sharpened by a knife in those days.)

1870

The population of Crystal Lake township was 718. Besides farming, a few industries developed. The first was a shingle mill at Shingle Creek, built in 1852 (everyone needed shingles!) and then a flour mill in 1859. In 1876 brickyards were opened near the Mississippi River. Then in 1878 the Camden area was, by the legislature, attached to Minneapolis. In 1875 a hotel was built on the south shore of Crystal Lake by Anton Wolf (above) . It was used especially by sportsmen during the hunting season. Other similar places opened, not only for hunters, but as a halfway house for those going to and from Minneapolis with produce from places as far away as Corcoran, Osseo, and Buffalo, as these were too far for a one-day round trip with horses and wagons.

1880

The first railroad through the community was called the Minneapolis Branch of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railroad , later the Great Northern Railroad Company. In 1880 a flag station was established, merely a designated spot and if you wished a ride, you would “flag” the train. A depot was built about 1887. It was called Parker Station in honor of Mr. Alfred Parker who donated three acres of land for its site. When the depot was built, Mrs. H. W. Downs (above) was depot master. In 1888 double tracks were laid so trains could pass each way. On November 14, 1888, a telegraph office was installed and by 1893 Great Northern trains went all the way to the West Coast .

Joseph “Ed” Riddell was telegrapher from 1927 to 1947. A larger station was built in 1948 with a freight house to serve the lumber yards. The depot was torn down in 1967 after the railroad discontinued its use as a freight station.

1887

In 1886 Minneapolis made an effort to annex all bordering townships to secure more taxable property and money for improvements and perhaps to outclass St. Paul in population. At once, the people of Crystal arose to action and got a special act of the Legislature early in 1887 to incorporate. Thus the village of Crystal was incorporated in January 11, 1887, and included 16 of the original 24 sections (square miles) having already lost much to Minneapolis, including the beautiful area from Xerxes to the Mississippi. By this time the homes were no longer the rough board shanties of 33 years before, but spacious well appointed houses and barns, belonging to the white haired men who by years of toil had won them from the earth. This was a highly favored section, never visited by pestilence (since the 1857 grasshoppers) or famine: there was always a seed time and a harvest. The new village included Crystal and Twin Lakes, Crystal Prairie, and on the west the timber already mentioned. The election held March 8, 1887, selected these officers:

 

President:

 

Arthur Sandborn

 

Trustees;

 

Thomas Gearty

 

1. H. White

 

Philip Kuch

 

Recorder;

 

1. F. Russ

 

Treasurer;

 

1. B. Johnson

 

Justices of the Peace:

 

1. C. Crandall

 

1. R. Stillman

 

Constable:

 

Charles Hommes

 

Assessor;

 

Thomas Kirkwood

 

(In 1888, 0. W. Newell and George Swift were named Justices; E. K. Jaques, a trustee; W. H. Johnson, President of the Board; and these were reelected each year for the next five years.)

 

On January 9, 1887, school was cancelled because a tramp had broken into the school house on the Stillman farm, burned the teacher’s Bible and some of the scholars’ books and stole the teacher’s watch. A few days later Mr. and Mrs. Stillman canvassed the town for money and presented Louise Kirkwood, the teacher, with a gold watch.

 

In 1887, local legends report that while passing through the village on a train, Mr. Andrew B. Robbins was so pleased with the beauty of this part of the country that he could not get the memory out of his mind. He saw that because of its proximity to Minneapolis, and its many natural advantages, scenic and otherwise, it could become the best residential section in the Northwest. So he bought 90 acres of land from Alfred Parker, John Shumway, George Brimhall, and David Malbon and proceeded to plat what he called Robbinsdale Park, planning to make it the site of a suburban town such as is found close to the larger cities of the East. He was concerned with everything connected with the advancement of the village. He chose the location because it was slightly rolling, a well-drained tract, with a fine view of the lakes from many points. He personally set out long lines of trees to add to the natural beauty of the village.

In 1890 he built a large home near Twin Lake, on a twenty-acre tract which he landscaped with a great variety of trees and shrubs. (When the Highway Department was forced to cut many of them to make way for the new highway in the early thirties, the workers said they had never seen such a variety of trees in one place.) Andrew Robbins was born in Maine in 1845, His family moved to Anoka in 1855 where his father built the first steam saw mill. Robbins married Adelaide Walker and moved to Willmar where he later became Mayor and served in the State Senate. In 1887 he bought the 90 acres and moved to Robbinsdale and was the village’s first council president in 1893. In his real estate ventures he also platted A. B. Robbins Brookside Park in Richfield at West 54th Street between Thomas and Vincent Avenues South which included a bit of Minnehaha Creek. He died in 1910.

Lars I. Nasett came from Wisconsin with his uncle, L. J. Nasett, who was drawing plans for the Lutheran Seminary. His wife and family came a year later. The streetcar line ended at 18th and Washington Avenues North, and the Nasetts were obliged to hike the rest of the five or six miles. Lars bought land from A. B. Robbins in July,. 1888, and immediately erected the first store in what is now Robbinsdale and opened for business September 21, 1888. The family lived in rooms over the store for 40 years. Advertisements from the 1893 “Picturesque Robbinsdale” say, “Nasett and Bro.—General Merchandise – groceries a specialty – tinware made and repaired – all kinds of jobbing and tinwork done.” Mr. P. J. Linde was his partner for a time, in charge of the repair shop. Mr. Nasett vas much involved in early Robbinsdale. He was a Trustee on the village council for two terms, village assessor off and on for 22 years and also serveded as Village Health Officer. He was succeeded as assessor by J. Clifford Boies. Mr. Nasett was the first Postmaster of Crystal Village, cantilling his first letter in 1888. (Until then the post office had been located at Shingle Creek, now Camden.) He alternated being Postmaster with George Swift who owned the drug store; when the Democrats were in office, he had the job, but when Republicans were in, Mr. Swift had the job at his drug store. By 1910 he was station agent for the Great Northern Railroad and after World War I his son, Lawrence, returned from service and took the job of postmaster until 1934. Lars died in 1937.

Mr. Nasett had a well and a pump in front of the store. People came from miles around for water. He had the water tested at the University and it was found to be some of the best in the state. The pump needed repairs because of its hard use and, getting tired of paying the bills for this public service, he asked the village to pay for the upkeep. Getting “no” for an answer, he buried the pump under the sidewalk where it no doubt still is. The Nasett store stood on the north side of 42nd Avenue just west of West Broadway.

1888

The late 1880’s were busy ones for this area. Haakon Christensen, born in Oslo, Norway, in 1859, first visited Robbinsdale to attend the laying of the cornerstone of the Seminary. He returned shortly after, bought land from Mr. Robbins, and built his blacksmith shop in 1888. This shop stood for a long time at the southeast corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Shingle Creek Road, now West Broadway and 42nd. He was actively engaged “in business here for over fifty years He shod thousands of horses, repaired farm tools, etc. He fulfilled his civic duties as well by serving on the board of trustees of the village from 1893 for at least 20 years. (According to the RobbinsdaJe Post, December 8, 1938, he was still in business, at age 79.) He died in March  1945, at the age of 85.

In 1888 the Village Hall for Crystal Village was erected on Jefferson Highway (now West Broadway) from plans drawn by Mr. L. J. Nasett, uncle of Lars. The hall was described by Mrs. Stillman, 47 years later, as “our pride and joy.” When it was dedicated, she said she had never seen so much food in her life—everyone in town furnished! It was a two-story brick building, costing between $2,500 and $3,000, on a quarter-acre lot donated by Mr. Jonathan S. Malbon and his son-in-law, Alfred Parker. When the village of Crystal, was dissolved in 1893, Parker purchased the hall The VilIage Hall of for $500 and the land went back to the Parkers and the Malbons. When Robbinsdale officially became a village in 1893. Parker offered the hall back for $500, but the Malbon family received $2000 for the two lots. In 1936 a $5,000 addition was made. In spite of the fact that the land was to be always used for public purposes, the Village Hall was torn down in 1954 to make way for a municipal liquor store that was never built. The land became for a much-needed parking lot for a Red Owl grocery store. The Village Hall stood on the other side of the driveway north of Ace Hardware and  the Urban Block on West Broadway. The Village Hall was used for many things: by the Salvation Army for  Sunday afternoon and evening services, by the Congregational Church on Sunday mornings before their church was built, for school entertainments and plays on the tiny stage, for library books before the library was built. for fire equipment in the shed behind, and for frequent dance parties because it had the best floor in the area. Voters had to climb the long, dark, steep stairs in the rear to cast their ballots. The summer of 1888 brought our first land boom. The result was that thirteen houses were built. Mr. Nasett manufactured much of the tinware for them. [A dwelling would cost about $1,200,) The “Big Three” in the founding of the village were Mr. Nasett, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Robbins. They were all so modest [or so they said) that no one wanted the town named after him. Mr. Parker eventually sent the papers for a post office, calling it ROBBINSDALE. Difficulties arose—the Government insisted that the same name be used for the post office and the railroad station! However, it was comparatively easy to get the railroad to change the name from Parker to Robbinsdale, but for a while we were blessed with three names. Crystal Village, Parker Station and Robbmsdale Post Office! The name of the civil organization was not changed until 1893.

1889

Mr. Robbins’ second business in Robbinsdale was a street car factory. It was near the car barn on Hubbard Avenue. The new factory began work on October 15, 1889, and by December 19, there were six cars ready to ship to Ohio. Expansion soon was needed and an addition was built in 1891, but on May 7, 1892, it burned down and it was thought best not to rebuild. The Northern Car Company manufactured street railway and other cars, employing 150-200 men and could manufacture seven cars per week. The cars were equal to, if not superior to, any in the country. Mr. Robbins was president of the company.

The first religious services in what is now Robbinsdale were held in the Village Hall by a band of Salvation Army workers from Minneapolis. On May 5, 1889, the Congregational Sunday School was organized with 70 members. 0. W. NeweII was the Superintendent, and the teachers were Mrs. J. P. Shumway, N. F. Russ, Elder Woodworth, L. C. Roth. The church was called the First Congregational Church of Parker and was organized June 16, 1889 with 28 charter members. The Christian Endeavor Society was started July 22, 1889; and the Ladies Aid on July 8, with 16 charter members. The Ladies Aid met at the home of Mrs. H. W. Downs. Their first meeting was in the new Village Hall, July 31. 1889.

During the early days, the children came an hour each time to learn to sing. The first disbursement was $11.00 for singing books. A Pulpit Bible, carpet for the platform, and dishes were among the first purchases.  At the twentieth anniversary party held at the Shumway home in 1909, Mrs. Shumway, the first president, presided and eight of the sixteen charter members answered roll call. In twenty years they had raised $3,000, and met every week, rain or shine. Rev. Votaw was the acting pastor until 1891 when Rev. A. D. Fanning became the regular pastor. In 1890 the congregation voted to erect a church building. It was built on land donated by John Shumway at 42nd Avenue and Bottineau Boulevard after the building was ready for occupancy the church was dedicated on May 24, 1891. An impressive dedication service was held, with the Silver Lake Choir furnishing the music, and four pastors doing the preaching. Pastors with long service records were Donald G. Colp (later an M.D. practicing in Robbinsdale),  James E. Ball, W. W. Dale, George Macauley and Wayne B. Robinson.The First Congregational Church of Parker later became the First Congregational Church of Robbinsdale  In 1961 the church building was sold to another church group (demolished in 1965) and a beautiful new church was built at 4200 Lake Road. Other property was platted. Mr. Alfred Parker platted Parker’s Addition to Robbinsdale Park and Mr. Brimhall platted Brimhall’s Addition to Robbinsdale Park. The business tact and persuasive powers of these men and others attracted several institutions to the community: The Northern Car Shops, near the present water tank site; Hubbard Specialty Manufacturing Company, north of the Car Shops, along the tracks, which made wheelbarrows, furniture, awnings, and so on; and Luther Seminary.

The Luther Theological Seminary Seminary, was situated on a ten-acre tract on College, now Regent Avenue, on land donated by George Brimhall, Alfred Parker, and A. B. Robbins. The school stood at 4001 Regent. It was a Seminary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church and was dedicated on September 8, 1889, before an audience of 5,000 people, programs in those days demanded a rugged audience; there were addresses by Governor Merriam, Senator Knute Nelson, University President Cyrus Northrop, sermons by the Seminary faculty and others. German, Swedish, Norwegian, and English were used in the talks. The buildings were planned to accommodate 700 students eventually, but 45 was the enrollment for most of its existence. The lodging and instruction were free—board was $1.50 to $2 a week. Mrs. Etta Gates described the school as a massive brick building, imposing with its towers, stone trimming, and curving drives, beautifully landscaped with trees and shrubs. The Ylvisaker home, later the Swift home, was nearby. The basement of the Seminary housed the eating and cooking facilities; the president of the Seminary had his apartments and library on one of the upper floors. The Luther Theological Seminary was destroyed by fire on the very cold morning of January 11, 1895—in less than one hour. It was later rebuilt on Como Avenue in St. Paul.

Mr. Robbins was also president of the Hubbard Manufacturing Company. Hubbard had sold out to the Sweatt Manufacturing Company which enlarged the plant and made grocery boxes, wooden wheelbarrows, camp furniture and wooden washing machines. In 1891 William R. Sweatt also invested $1,500 in the Electric Thermostat Company which made a control connecting a thermostat to a motor to operate home “dampers flappers”. He became a director of the company. After the fire in 1892 in Robbinsdale, Sweatt expanded his office on East 26th Street to include the Sweatt Manufacturing Company. By 1902 Sweatt owned the Electric Heat Regulator Company, and changed the name to Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company in 1912. In 1927, it merged with Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Sweatt as Chairman of the Board and Mark C. Honeywell as president- This is.included in our history because it is often said that Sweatt Manufacturing Company was the forerunner of Honeywell. That’s not really correct, but William R. Sweatt was certainly involved.

1890

This was a busy year for the Robbinsdale area. John Trump built a general merchandise store where the Wicked Wort is today. He enlarged his store, selling hardware in half of it. In 1896 he bought a feed mill from Mr. Cannon. He paid $850 for it and operated it for many years to serve the local farmers. He probably was most widely known for his boats and boat landing on Twin Lake. Oars, fishing poles, and bait were available at his store. He served on the fire department and his bulldog took an especial delight in following the fire department to all fires. He was village treasurer for 15 years. Mrs. Trump was active, too. She was a charter member of Library Club and the first president of the Sacred Heart Rosary Society. Mr. Trump died in 1927. His son, John Trump, served as Village clerk for eight years.

A new grade school was built, a necessity because of the added homes. The citizens thought the new building would be large enough for all timeThe School Board consisting of L. A. Taylor Chairman; H.R Stillman, Clerk; and Jarius Russ, Treasurer. authorized the raising of $10,000 in taxes “District 24 secured one of the finest school buildings in the state, known as the Parker School, in honor of Alfred Parker.

A brick building, with stone basement and trim. elegant in design, convenient in arrangement, supplied with all modern equipment, consists of eight rooms—four large school rooms, besides cloak rooms, office, and so on—exquisitely finished in oak. The basement contains the gymnasium and furnace room. It is well graded and will probably become one of the State High Schools within the next year.”  So ran the account in the 1895 report of Hennepin County. It was heated with steam. There was a pond behind the school, especially deep in the spring, and Robert W. Girod, now a pastor living in Polar, Wisconsin, recalls a boy drowning in the pond.

There was no high school in the area until 1936 so those students who wished a high school education had to attend either North, Edison, or Marshall High Schools in Minneapolis. Students from area farms often stayed in town, working for room and board, and could then take the streetcar to high school. If they didn’t have the three cents streetcar fare (five cents by 1916), some would walk home from North High-some four or five miles.

The Hotel Georgia Temperance House, a beautiful three-story wooden structure, was erected by C. T. Griffith a cost of $7,000, started in August, 1890. It was ready for occupancy on November 1, 1890. The hotel was was located near where Wuollet Bakery now stands (4139 West Broadway). It had 23 bedrooms, a large double parlor and meals were served family style. Many of furniture workers stayed here as well as the Seminary students after the 1895 fire. In 1903 it was owned by J. Coulter and the name changed to Columbia Hotel (pictured above). Later it was purchased by W. D. Bartlett who remodeled it. School classes were held there during the expansion of the Parker School in 1921. It had a large front porch where elderly citizens liked to sit. In the Robbinsdale Park Progress in 1904, Coulter advertised “Special attention given to entertainment of sleighing or trolley parties from the city.” It was finally torn down to make room for a drug store owned by Henry J. Barnett. This he sold to Morris W. Henney about 1939. His son, William Henney, ran the drugstore from 1953 to 1963. . It was then sold to Braun’s Bakery and then the Wuollet Bakery.

By 1890, in addition to the Trump Grocery Store, the Nasett and Linde Store, J. J. Coulter’s Meat Market, Christensen’s Blacksmith Shop, Irwin’s Wagon Making Shop, the town could now boast of a Barber Shop (Mr. Mitchell), Peter Yarkanson’s Shoemaking Shop, George Swift’s Drug Store and Post Office. There were two railroads— the Great Northern which ran south to north, and the Soo, an east to west line And then a physician, Dr. C. A. Donaldson, known for his gentlemanly qualities and professional skill, came and had a residence on Crystal Lake.

1891

Mr. Robbins was interested in attracting people to the village and in order to make it more convenient for those who might live here and continue to carry on business in the city, he tried to secure better transportation facilities. He was unable to convince the Minneapolis Street Railway  Company of the desirability of extending their lines to Robbinsdale, so he organized the North Side Street Railway Company (Mr. Robbins was the president), and in early 1891, built a road from the city limits to Robbinsdale Park, using the same weight of rails and the same gauge as that used for Minneapolis streetcars. On June 1, 1891, the line opened for business, operated by horsecars for some time. By 1893 a gasoline motor replaced the horses. It connected with the Minneapolis line at Penn and 32nd Avenue (Lowry) and came out as far as Johnson Road (36th Avenue North). Later it was extended via Hubbard Avenue to 42nd Avenue North and later via West Broadway to 42nd. Turntables were installed at 42nd Avenue and West Broadway and at Penn Avenue and a barn was built for shelter. The cars carried 20 people. In the winter a stove was put in the center of the car for warmth. By 1893 there was a separate engine car and a trailer car for the passengers. On January 14, 1897, the car barns and equipment were destroyed by fire. At the next election, February 13, 1897, voters approved an electric line by a unanimous vote and new cars started running on April 18.

Gus Urban, an employee of J. J. Coulter Meat Market, joined with Ed Bodem to purchase the meat market. In 1882 Urban became sole owner until 1922 when Kurt Hoffman bought it. In 1938 prices listed in ads were pork loin roasts, 20 cents a pound; pork chops, end cut, 18 cents a pound; sugar cured picnics, 18 cents a pound. In 1960 Herbert, Harold, and Reinhart Hackenmueller bought the meat market from Kurt Hoffman’s son, Kurt, and changed the name to Hackenmueller Meats (4159 West Broadway). They ran the meat market for twenty years, selling to Gordon Lindenfelsor in 1980. The meat market is by far the oldest continuing business in Robbinsdale in the same spot.

1892

At this time our area of Crystal Village seemed to be referred to as Robbinsdale Park because the platted areas were named A. B. Robbins First Addition to Robbinsdale Park,” “Brimhall’s First Addition to Robbinsdale Park,” etc. John Shumway, Nathan Russ, Alfred Parker, Charles Sandborn, H. R. Stillman, C. E. Tyler and others still had large unplatted areas, evidently were still farming, according to an 1898 Atlas. This map showed no Armstrong Lake, possibly it had become a marsh by then. The house pictured above at about 44th and West Broadway was owned by A.B. Robbins and rented to the village blacksmith, Haakon Christensen. Pictured out front in 1890 from left to right are Alfred Parker, Elizabeth and Raleigh Parker, Fred Baker, Jr. and his aunt, Mrs.Guptel, and Mrs Christensen. The house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in the early 1900’s.

1893

Thomas H. Girling, born in England in 1865, had considerable impact as a publisher and civic leader in Robbinsdale. He had learned the printing business and in February, 1893, started publishing the weekly “Picturesque Robbinsdale.” He took the lead in getting the Crystal Hill cut down nine feet and the road graded and later paved. The steep hill on Crystal Avenue (now West Broadway near Minneapolis) was a much-travelled road those days, with teams lining up in caravans, ten or twenty in a line. The steep hill was a real problem. The saloon fund was in good condition, then as now, and the council voted $1,000 out of this fund if the County Commissioners would vote $2,000, which they did, for cutting down the hill.

He later worked to get the road to Osseo paved (now West Broadway) and later the Rockford Road in 1922. He was also Robbinsdale’s second mayor.

In a March, 1893, issue of “Picturesque Robbinsdale” edited by Mr. Girling, this news item appeared: “A telephone has been ordered and now is in place in the Drug Store of George Swift. This is something the village has needed and will be very useful in case of fire or sickness and will save a good many trips to Minneapolis for those who can very often transact their business by telephone.” George Swift had been the town druggist for many years and the Robbinsdale Village Treasurer in 1893 and 1894. He had been born in Boston in 1848 and at age 13 enlisted as drummer boy at Ft. Snelling and in 18621865 marched with General Sherman through Georgia. He retired in 1914 and died in 1936 at the age of 88. He was also postmaster when the Republicans were “in power.” The Stillman’s new house was completed that summer, a house with exceptional equipment for those days. It had fourteen rooms and hot water heat, something not many homes even in the city had in 1893.

 

n December 4, 1893, the editor, Mr. Girling, became the proud father of a baby girl, Amy, the first child born in the village of Robbinsdale. He apologized for any omissions in the issue and promised to furnish all his “lady acquaintances with chewing gum and his gentlemen friends with a high grade Chandler Cheroot.” Amy died in 1976. Another daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) was a well-known story teller and radio announcer for 33 years, on WLB, KUOM, the Minnesota School of the Air.

1924. H. Girling was also a state legislator for about 10 years until his death following an automobile accident on Bass Lake Road in 1924. The weekly started by Thomas Girling in February, 1893, “Picturesque Robbinsdale,” contains many fascinating items. When one reads an advertisement such as this one, how could one resist?

 

To Shrewd Investors who desire a Suburban Home

 

Either for a Residence or for Speculation

 

One which has the advantages of

 

PURE AIR, PURE WATER, FINE DRIVEWAYS

 

FINE LAKES, AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

 

GRADE SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, STREET CAR LINE

 

Making direct connection on Hennepin Avenue

 

Call on Alfred Parker, Robbinsdale.

 

Improvements, such as new roads, which made life more pleasant for the residents of the urban community, led to resentment by the people in the thinly settled, strictly agricultural areas. A special election was held on March 24, 1893 and the vote to dissolve the Village of Crystal carried unanimously. On April 19, 1893, Robbinsdale was organized as a village, consisting of three sections of the original twenty-four of the township. The name ROBBINSDALE was made official.

 

The new officers were:

 

President; A. B. Robbins

 

Recorder: John Hayes

 

Treasurer: George Swift

 

Trustees;

 

Lars J. Nasett

 

Thomas H. Girling

 

Haakon Christensen

 

The farm owners on the margins of the village made their choices as to whether they would stay with the old village of Crystal or come with the new village of Robbinsdale. Mr. Stillman chose to come with Robbinsdale, thereby creating a jog in the western boundary of the village. After the Village of Crystal was dissolved and Robbinsdale was organized, the remaining land reverted back to the original township of Crystal Lake. The Town Board in 1895 consisted of Paris Reidhead, Chairman: Philip Kuch and V. D. Crandall, Supervisors; Jarius Russ, Clerk; C. F. McCausland, Treasurer. According to Col. Stevens, writing in 1895 “The township has just completed a creditable town hall.” (At about 54th and West Broadway.)

1894

In January people in Robbinsdale were advised to arm themselves when traveling on Crystal Lake Avenue to Minneapolis after dark, after B.J. Browning had been held up by robbers while returning home after selling a load of hay. With drawn guns, three men took his money and watch. They were caught and sentenced to five years in jail.

William Randall and George “Don” Johnson (above) started Robbinsdale Ice and Fuel Co. and began cutting ice on Crystal Lake in the 1890’s. Johnson is standing nearest the horses. Over on Twin Lake the Crystal Ice Company cut up to 25,000 tons. In the 1920’s the Cedar Lake Ice Company began staking out territory on Crystal Lake. The ice was packed in sawdust and usually lasted through the summer. Many private parties and ice companies were cutting ice in Crystal Lake. On account of the “extreme clearness and purity, this ice is considered the best that can be had around Minneapolis.

There were parties and dances galore in the Town Hall that winter but all was not sweetness and light in those early days either. The dumping of trash, especially dead animals, on Crystal Lake Avenue and the Johnson Road (36th Avenue) caused Thomas Girling to warn  Health Officer Kelly of Minneapolis to steer clear of the village limits as the streets mentioned, “are lined with decayed fish, over-ripe eggs, one long-deceased hog, several dogs, cats, garbage, etc.

In June Miss Edith Robbins graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree. All five of the Robbins daughters graduated from the University, with two of them earning Masters Degrees as well. It was a splendid sight to see Mr. Robbins and his five daughters, all so beautifully dressed, sitting together in the congregational church, filling the pew completely. Edith (Mrs. Daniels) served this school District No. 24, for many years as a Board Member.

In July, 1894, Girling reported a step in the right direction: “The citizens have organized a fire company with a membership of 44. The chief is J. J. Coulter, with Thomas H. Girling as Secretary. The company will equip itself with ladders, hooks, axes, buckets, etc., and in a short time will get a chemical. Regular meetings will be held to drill.” There were several benefits given, one a supper and entertainment which netted $32, with the donations all listed and the donors as well. Five gallons of potato salad, three gallons of ice cream, fifteen pounds of ham, a bushel of apples, pies, besides buns, pickles, and twenty-nine cakes! Another benefit held on December 21, 1894, emphasized the program and confined the refreshments to coffee and sandwiches. The program included a harmonica solo; L. I. Nasett; Recitation—”Flash, the Fireman’s Horse”—Roy Shumway; Tableau—”The Lovers Discovered”—Howard Russ, Hattie Coulter, Anna Johnson, J. J. Coulter; A farce—”Is the Editor In?”—Hattie Hawkins, Hattie Coulter, and others.

Earlier that fall a benefit for the Hinckley fire sufferers was held and a Fair and Supper by the Ladies’ Aid was a “complete success” with the receipts going to the church debt. All this, mind you, when hard times were on the people. Houses built by Mr. Robbins and others were practically deserted or renting for $1.50 a month.

Licensing the saloons was the main campaign issue in 1894. Nathan Russ, who ran for recorder and H. R. Stillman, who was a candidate for council, were both defeated largely because they favored licensing. It was rumored that Mr. Stillman even favored prohibition. The “drys” were never able to make Robbinsdale “Dry” until the 18th Amendment to the Federal Constitution was passed. Victors in the election were Andrew B. Robbins, president; John W. Hayes, recorder; Thomas H. Girling, Lars I. Nasett and Haakon Christenson, Councilmen; George E. Swift, treasurer; Thomas J. Helmick and William Forsyth, justices of the peace; Martin Garrett and John Peterson, Constables; and Alfred Malbon, street commissioner. Robbins was also Superintendent of the Robbinsdale Congregational Church at this time.

1895

The new year brought a great loss to the village in the destruction of the Lutheran Seminary building by fire on January 11, 1895. It was a severely cold, windy disagreeable day and the flames spread rapidly; in less than an hour only a smoldering ruin remained. The loss of the building and its contents, valued at $30,000 was total. No insurance was carried. Professor Stub’s large library and elegant piano were lost as well as nearly all the possessions of the students. Many were injured by bums and others had frozen hands or feet. Arrangements were made to house the students in private homes and at the Hotel Georgia for the rest of the year. School was held at the hotel. The Seminary students worked at roadwork and helped lay the street car tracks. At election times (between 1889 and 1895) some citizens grumbled because the students had the right to vote—after all they “don’t pay taxes and aren’t interested in the affairs of the village,” according to Jack Coulter. The school was rebuilt on Como Avenue in St. Paul.

1896

 

The February 22, 1904, issue of the Robbinsdale Park Progress gave tribute to a pioneer, George L. Brimhall, who died on September 17, 1896. In 1876 he purchased a farm of 160 acres on the southeast comer of Crystal Lake. He was largely instrumental in securing the location of Luther Seminary, was the treasurer of the Hubbard Specialty Manufacturing Company, and helped financially with the Robinson Moen Car Company (afterwards the Northern Car Company).

1897

 

The North Side Street Railway company which  operated a “dummy railroad” between Minneapolis and Robbinsdale changed it’s motor from gasoline to electricity after residents of Robbinsdale had subscribed $2000 stock in the concern which allowed the change to be made. A handsome new trolley car was been placed on the track and made half hour trips each way between Robbinsdale and 32nd Avenue North and Penn Avenue.

 

1898

 

In 1898, John Bloberger, Sr. came to Robbinsdale, and was the first Chief of Police. He was also one of the first fire chiefs in the state. Bloberger was a resident of Robbinsdale for 46 years. Many of them were spent in his home at 3850 Noble Avenue. The life of a fireman was not easy in those days—it was often necessary to pull the truck by hand through snow drifts to reach the other side of the tracks. Bloberger’s son  John Bloberger, Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a constable and a  patrolman.

1899

 

During the winter of 1899-1900, Isaac Patch (pictured above), concerned about the availability of reading matter, toured, by horse and buggy, the farms between Robbinsdale and Medicine Lake and got the required fifty signatures requesting rural free delivery of mail. It was started in 1900 under local Post Office Authority until October l, 1901, when the Federal  Post Office Department formally approved the route, authorizing  $500 per annum. The area was so large that two routes were established and Isaac Patch(above) and Charles Heiff were the first two postal men, delivering by horse and buggy. The Minneapolis papers, the Tribune and the Daily News, competed for subscriptions by offering free mail boxes as premiums—the Daily News offering blue and the Tribune, silver. The farmers had to mount them on posts by the road. Patch’s parlor was piled high with mail boxes waiting to be delivered; and his five year old daughter, Ina, remembers people waiting by their new boxes”with cookies for the mailman’s little girl who often rode along.

1900

Census 520

The first decade of the Twentieth Century was a busy one for our “small town.” A library club was formed. An official volunteer fire department was organized. There was an active Commercial Club pushing for improvements such as city water and better streetcar service. A recreational park and tent city were set up. The Masons were organized. The bank was reorganized and an official town band was started.

901

 

County commissioners paid contractor, D.J. Falvey $150 dollars per mile to build  a new bike path was built between Robbinsdale and Champlin, 10 miles to the north. Artic explorer Charles E.S. Burch spent two months in Robbinsdale  experimenting with a triple expansion steam engines and a rotary skate and screw mechanism. Burch hoped his “Automobile Sleigh” allow him to reach the North Pole. Burch won fame exploring the Yukon Territory and Alaska in 1897. The experiments in Robbinsdale were conducted in order to ascertain the necessary horsepower needed to propel the screws. Articles in the Minneapolis Journal and the Minneapolis Tribune reported that  Burch and all those associated with him were  greatly pleased with the uniform success of their results on the Crystal Lake.  Burch was awarded a patent for what he called an “Ice Locomotive.” in 1901.  He later filed his patent for the “Automobile Sleigh” on June 20, 1907.

1902

John Ruble became the railway mail clerk and served over thirty years. In the early years he sorted mail using kerosene lanterns for light. He also served on the school board and was a Justice of the Peace for 14 years. In October, Miss Mary A. Russ, 90 years of age returned to her room after a few moments absence and found that a thief had entered and stole her purse. She found the man in the closet and without a moments hesitation she demanded that the purse in all of its contents be returned to her. The man delivered the property to her and escaped before an officer could be summoned.

1903

Thomas Girling was elected to the State Legislature and stopped his activities as editor. On December 16, 1903, a new paper, Robbinsdale Park Progress edited by A.S. McMillan, an ardent Robbinsdale booster.

1904

The idea for a library for Robbinsdale took its first concrete step at a meeting April 6th, at the home of W. S. Sayre. Dr. D. G. Colp was elected president and Maude Stillman (Huston) secretary. Others attending were Mr. Cranston, Mr. McMillan, Thomas Girling, Mrs. W. H. Grenell, Mrs. Fred Eddy and Frances Pollard. This group became known as the Library Board. A Grenell minstrel program was planned which raised $57.80. Dr. Leonard of Minneapolis had already donated two bookcases and some books. Other local people donated books which were first housed in the office of the Columbia Hotel,  Mrs. J. Coulter was the first librarian, followed by Charles Scharf who received $4 a month. Having to pay this large salary, fundraising was needed. One concert netted 35 cents. W. I. Nolan gave a lecture netting $11.50, a basketsocial raised $15, and the Board members pledged one dollar a month. The annual membership dues for the Robbinsdale Historical Society in 2017 are only $15.00.

Donald G. Colp, pastor of the First Congregational Church, began studying medicine and about 1908 began practicing medicine here. He had a lovely home overlooking Crystal Lake (where Crystal Lake Health Care Center now stands) and after his first wife died in 1929, he married Countess Utta Larisch of Bavaria in 1931. Robbinsdale residents were excited about having a countess in their midst. Dr. Colp, born in Nova Scotia, died in 1948, at age 78.

The first recorded Arbor Day ceremony in Robbinsdale was April 29, 1904. Andrew B. Robbins addressed the gathering as the tree planting efforts were celebrated.

The Robbinsdale Park Progress mentioned Mud Lake which was not big enough to show on any map. By 1950 it was just a swamp, and later was developed into Manor Park.

For a picnic and camping grounds for the Modem Woodsmen of Hennepin

County, resorts in the vicinity of Minneapolis. A Tent City was established south of Johnson Road (36th Avenue) and the MWA (Modern Woodsmen of America) Park was to be subdivided into lots and rented to city people for outings. In June, Sorter and Jones were residents of Tent City for the summer. The lots were 40′ x 40′ and the rent for the entire summer was $5. Advertisements bragged that the tent city was on the electric line, near Crystal and Twin Lakes (see photo at the top of the post) and under the police protection of Robbinsdale. The Robbinsdaie Park Progress devoted much space to advertising this venture—”see A. S. McMillan, Editor, for purchasing lots.” This project lasted for several years. In 1905, Arthur Jones, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, married Mae Cole. moved to Robbinsdale, bought a house on Hubbard Avenue, practiced law and became an active citizen, serving on the Village Council from 1913-1918.

 

In 1904, the Robbinsdale Commercial Club was organized with Albert Gullette, president David Hasten, vice president; Willard Randall, secretary, and J. J. Coulter, treasurer. (HH) This was the forerunner of the Robbinsdale Businessmen’s Association, now the Chamber of Commerce.

 

The July 21, 1904, issue of the RobbinsdaJe Park Progress reported the annual meeting of School District No. 24. The report of the treasurer, W. H. Johnson, was read and accepted, showing a balance of $600. E. T. Kirkwood was re-elected director for three years. Only thirteen votes were cast. A school tax of four mills was voted for the ensuing year. There was a grand Fourth of July celebration with addresses, music, bicycle races, foot races, fat-man’s race (over 215 Ibs.), a ball game, sack race, ladies nail driving contest and a ladies egg race.

1905

Robbinsdale pioneer, Alfred Parker passed away on April 7th. Compass Lodge 265 A. F. & A. M. was organized September 6. George Swift, Sr. as first master. The charter was granted in January, 1906. The Temple, built in 1922, was dedicated September 30. In January, Gus Urban was again President of the Village. Other officers were N. F. Russ, Recorder; John Trump, Treasurer; and A. M. Gullette, R. D. Smith and Henry Scott, Trustees.  Robbinsdale became a busy place on Sundays after Minneapolis a Sunday saloon closing rule went into effect in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Tribune reported that Robbinsdale was the busiest place in the county on Sunday and, ” Every on of the cars running into the town is loaded to guards with thirsty ones who make bee lines for the village thirst parlors there to load themselves to the guards.” In December, Mayor Urban announced that the conduct of the saloon owners was disgraceful and that Robbinsdale would follow the example set by Minneapolis and close saloons on Sundays.

 

1906

 

Robbinsdale’s Northside Street Railway Company purchased four new double-truck cars and improved the road bed with heavier steel.  April Village Council minutes mention that a dog shot in the village was found to have rabies and all dogs should be either muzzled or tied up for 60 days. Council minutes record Robert Gifford asking for a road in Manitoba Park; A. B. Robbins for grade establishment for a sidewalk, also a cement curb; liquor licenses to remain at $650 per year; cost estimates to be obtained for a parkway between Crystal and Twin Lakes as requested by A. B. Robbins; the appointment of Ralph Stipe, a trustee on the council, to be janitor and lamplighter.  There were many applications for street lighting and the janitor was paid $10 a month for lighting the lamps. In November, Shortly after Andrew B. Robbins had secured franchises from Anoka to Osseo the Wall Street Journal reported that Twin City Rapid Transit had purchased the Robbinsdale Trolley line.

907

 

To support the Library Board, the Library Club was organized on January 3, 1907, with 26 members. Mrs. C. W. G. Hyde was first president. At that time books were available from 9 to 4pm on week days at the Robbinsdale State Bank.  The members voted to contribute an additional dollar a month to the salary of the Librarian. For a while the Village Council gave one dollar per month but decided it could not afford this expense. It did allow the books to be placed in the Village Hall free of charge, including lights. Previously, the books, mostly donated by citizens, had been kept in the Hotel and later in the drug store. Miss Clara Sessing served as Librarian. Books began to disappear from the shelves faster than they could be replaced. Finally, the ones that were left were placed in storage for two years. In November, 1917, a small

building on Main Street was purchased for $225 and moved to lots on Rockford Road west of the railroad tracks. These lots had been donated and purchased earlier. It was stuccoed, given hardwood floors, redecorated and opened to the public on June 28, 1920. The Village Council gave $100 to buy 38 books. Mrs. E. N. Russ and Mrs. E. Forsaith took care of the Library for one year, each donating her salary to buy books. In 1921, Frances Pollard became Librarian and served over thirty years.

The Library Club maintained the Library until January 7, 1922, when it was turned over to the Hennepin County Library system with 1,500 volumes. However, the club still owned the building and grounds and maintained them. After Miss Pollard’s death, the Library Club set up a memorial fund in 1962 to purchase books for the Library. For 70 years the devoted women of the Library Club worked hard to see that this service be provided to Robbinsdale and the surrounding area.

 

We honor those first 26 members:

 

Mrs. Donald G. Colp , Mrs. Robert Craig , Mrs. Eudora Donaldson , Mrs. J. Dutton,

Mrs. S. J. Franklin, Mrs. H. I. Horton, Mrs. C. E. Howard, Mrs. David Huston, Mrs. C. W. C. Hyde, Miss Emily Hyde, Mrs. E. K. Jaques, Mrs. Arthur L. Jones, Mrs. Carl Jones

Mrs. E. Peteler, Mrs. Willard Randall, Miss Amy Robbins, Mrs. John Ruble, Mrs. W. S. Sayre, Mrs. Harry G. Shrimpf, Mrs. H. R. Stillman, Mrs. George E. Swift, Miss Ruth Donaldson, Mrs. Kate Howe, Mrs. John Trump, Miss Lillian Trump, Mrs. Nelson Nash.

1908

The year 1908 was a busy one for Robbinsdale. Many citizens wanted better streetcar service and streetcars, so the village council had many contacts with the Twin City Railway Company and got promises of improvements. Parents were given warning about the diphtheria epidemic, which plagued Minneapolis.

On July 8, the new newspaper, Robbinsdale Tellit ($1.50 per year) was published by F. A. Harvey, editor and publisher. It contained both national and local news. Ads of new businesses included: “The American Suburbs Company is using every honorable means of inducing investors and prospective home builders to become new citizens.” From October 3rd, it sold one lot each day in Robbinsdale Park at one-half price or less. Standard price was $300, $5 down and $5 per month. Other ads were: G. J. Urban, Meat Market; Columbia Hotel, J. J. Coulter, Proprietor; Russ Grocery; Charles SchuIIer, implements, garden tools and general hardware; Bossert’s Cement Works, foundations dug and basements put in. W. G. Bossert built his new concrete block house on Hubbard Avenue in 1908. It was finally demolished by the Housing Authority in 1979 and a new house built in 1982.

1. F. Grenell organized and managed the Robbinsdale baseball team. known as “The Robbinsdale Cubs,” with E. N. Joyce, manager.

Mr. J. C. Lund, President of the Robbinsdale State Bank, died in August.

Many assurances were given in the Tellit about the safety of the money. In 1909, W. A. Farr moved from Iowa to head the reorganized Robbinsdale State Bank, until 1919.

Also in 1908 J. H. Morse was busy teaching Sunday School at the Congregational Church; George Swift was Master of the Compass Lodge of the A. F. and A. M.; Several houses were broken into and robbed of money and jewelry (Perle Malbon, G. H Johnson, and Mrs. Thomas Howard among the victims); horses would become frightened and dash for home. Horses becoming alarmed and running “somewhere” was a real problem in those days. Edgar Patch remembered a team “clattering” out Rockford Road dragging the wagon behind and a nearby farmer standing on the road to herd them into his yard to quiet them. In the winter Theodore Christianson, principal at Parker School, 1907-09, scheduled a lecture series with out-of-town speakers to benefit the piano fund. The events were well advertised in the Robbinsdale TeJlit but in the spring of 1909, the financial report indicated that the receipts were $84.20 and the expenses were $94.10. Theodore Christianson was the school principal while attending law school. He later served as Governor of Minnesota from 1925 through 1930 when he was defeated by Floyd Olson. In 1935, he published a five-volume Minnesota History.

After the 1895 Luther Seminary fire, John Jones, a local carriage maker, built for the village a hook and ladder rig with places on the side for water buckets. These were used by the “Bucket Brigade” which at that time was the most modem fire fighting apparatus known. Water would be drawn from cisterns. By 1908, the original  volunteer fire department was defunct, so in August, Village Trustees J. B. Scott, Perly Hoff and Charles Schuller, along with George Nash and W. H. Rodgers of the Commercial Club were appointed by the council to form a new volunteer fire department. About 30 men were willing to serve. W. H. Rodgers was chief and Irwin Russ, assistant chief. The new fire department was officially organized September 19, 1908, and on November 11 there was a benefit Grand Ball and supper for the fire department. By 1909, the fire department had acquired a hand-drawn, chemical rig

(with soda and ash). After many years of service, the rig was buried in the dump behind the village hall and is now paved over by the McDonald’s parking lot.

In 1914, Minneapolis’s offer of a horse-drawn, chemical rig was accepted and housed in an addition to the village hall. Due to the urgings of George Nash, a two-horse, power siren was installed in the Village Hall in April, 1917. Previously the Village Hall bell was rung to announce fires. The number of rings indicated the section of the village where the fire was located. Six years after the fire department was organized, the members decided to form a relief association. G. Nash, Sr.; William Rodgers; N. L. Nash; T. P. Howard; J. V. Ruble; R. L. Sayre; J. Bloberger, Sr.; Ben Knoll; F. A. Harvey; J. A. Trump; W. D. Bartlett; W. S. Randall and Perly Hoff wrote the artides of incorporation for the Robbinsdale Fire Department Relief Association. The purpose of the relief association was to give aid to disabled firemen, to defray funeral expenses and pay pensions to firemen who serve the required number of years. In 1983, all 28 volunteer firemen belonged to the association.

 

Evelyn Nash Pearson, daughter of George Nash, who was fire chief and for many years the owner of Nash Hardware remembers her father calling the Minneapolis Weather Bureau to find out the weather predictions and signal this with various colored flags above his store

In the summer of 1908, William F. Grenell started soliciting donations for band instruments for a band about to be formed, reported the Robbinsdale TeIlit. He presented a petition to form a band to the Village Council on September 4. At a public meeting on November 5, the Robbinsdale Military Band was formally organized. George Swift was elected leader and W. F. Grenell, treasurer. On November 16 a big benefit entertainment by the GreneII Minstrels was held at the Village Hall to raise more money for instruments. The Band started practicing immediately and in February, 1909, played at the Firemen’s Benefit and Entertainment Dance. In May, 1909, a Grand Concert was held with George Swift, director. A dance followed. A 1909 photo of the Band dressed in military uniforms of the day shows five Grenell family members and two of the Swift family, among others. The Grenells were a very musically talented family.

Later the name of the organization was changed to the Robbinsdale Civic Band. There was also a Robbbinsdale  Civic Club that among other things put on skits and plays for the town’s entertainment.

1909

Perly Malbon was a mail carrier for many years. As the train slowed down, mail bags were tossed off, piled into a cart and pushed a block to the post office for sorting. In April, Grenell’s Pool Hall was opened “to be run in a strictly up-to-the minute fashion” said the Tellit. It was located on the second story of the J. B. Scott building.

By August the newspapers were reporting that the town was divided to a child into factions. One either agreed with the Mayor Charles Schuller and the Village Council that Robbinsdale was a law abiding hamlet or believed the town was on the road to perdition and the authorities were in league with evil. The dispute arose around the enforcement of liquor laws. Several saloons, but mostly one known as “The Point”, were accused of staying open past closing time on Sundays. Minnesota Attorney General, David F. Simpson issued an ultimatum. He told Mayor Schuller that he must either rigidly enforce the village liquor laws or resign. Simpson received additional complaints.  A hearing was held in St. Paul on August 18th, the Attorney General asked the Mayor to resign over this matter and threatened to began proceedings against the mayor on the grounds of malfeasance. Mayor Schuller lawyered up and prepared to fight the Attorney General in court. Feelings were high strung. Village Councilman, T.A. Tyler, fainted on street corner while discussing that matter with residents. A a rowdy town hall meeting held on August 25th, the father of the village, Andrew B. Robbins rose to restore order beseeching the crowd,

 

” Gentleman let us act in a businesslike way. Our town has been given much ill repute over this matter. Let us not besmirch it any further.”

 

The liquor trouble was finally settled in September after another hearing with the Minnesota Attorney General.  The Village Council promised it would appoint a special policeman to keep watch and ensure that laws against selling liquor after 11:00pm on Sundays were strictly enforced.

 

1910

 

Census 765

(a 4% increase since 1900)

 

The decade of the “teens” showed continued growth of our small village. Another church, a new bank, a P.T.A., concerts, a new band stand, a bath house, an addition to Parker School, World War I, the formation of the American Legion and the fight over women’s suffrage all made life interesting.

On June 16th, 1910, Andrew B. Robbins passed away from the complications of stomach cancer. He was sixty-five years of age. His contemporaries noted that Robbins life had been of great service and benefit to his fellowmen. Robbins was elected to the state Senate at the age of 30 and he worked tirelessly to improve the material, intellectual, social, religious and moral progress of his community. Through his labors Robbins advanced those interests which lift the individual above the more sordid things of life. Robbins was a man securely settled in  the realm where contemplation leads to the development and adoption of ideals. His loss was deeply mourned by his family and the village that was named for him. Robbins is buried with his wife and daughters in the family plot at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

On June 29th, the Minneapolis Tribune reported a tremendous explosion blew the Point Bar at Crystal Lake to bits. A defect in the saloon’s acetylene generator was the suspected cause. Both the first and second floors of the bar shot skyward carrying with them the contents of the basement and the occupants bar room. The roof withstood the terrible upheaval and splintered and the splintered wreckage fell back into the basement. Four elderly women and two men who were in the back room were carrying out through the buildings remaining exit. Five men in the main room were killed.

1911

Souvenir Robbinsdaie, published in 1911, says: “The little village has an electric light system which includes nearly all residences as well as the stores and provides arc lights for the streets. There is a village hall at which public meetings are held and entertainments frequently given. A large park, baseball grounds, bathing beach, pleasure boating and fine fishing are literally ‘right in the town. There is telephone and telegraph service, carrier postal delivery and, in fact, all the conveniences that are attainable in the city.”

 

On April 23rd, Robbinsdale farmer and pioneer,  Nocholas Foegen celebrated his 90th birthday with daughter Mrs Raskop and his 92 year old friend, Mrs Roehl of St. Paul.

Robbbinsdale boosters built a beautiful float for the Minneapolis Industrial Parade in July of 1911. The parade was part of the Minneapolis Civic Celebration was held during the week of July 2 to July 8. The festivities emphasized the prosperity of the Northwest and illustrated many of the area’s notable achievements. An estimated 25,000 visitors arrived in Minneapolis during the week. The celebrations included parades, musical programs, military maneuvers and the linking of Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. The signs on the horses that pulled the Robbinsdale float read:

 

“Robbinsdale, Best Suburban Homes, Schools Second to None, Come Out To See Our Lakes, Purest Water and Lots of Fresh Air”

On Christmas Day a small wooden church was dedicated which was the beginning of the Sacred Heart parish. The parish consisted of 38 families. John Reimer and Joseph Boies were the first Trustees. Father William H. BIum was the first resident pastor serving 19 years until his death in 1931. The church was enlarged and resurfaced in red brick, a rectory was built in 1914, a school added in 1926 and a convent in 1927, all under Father BIum’s direction. Father Francis Nolan succeeded Father Blum and served until his death in 1966. People admired Father Nolan for his teaching, love of people and his pious way of life.

On the last Friday in April, Arbor Day at Parker school was celebrated with songs and recitations at morning assembly. Forty silver maple and elm trees were planted by the first grade boys and girls and assisted by the eighth grade boys who had dug the holes.

 

Bits of interest reported in the Robbinsdale Times, published by C.A. French from March to August in 1912:

 

In March—horse racing on Crystal Lake was over for the season.

 

Much concern was shown about oak trees and the deadly German barer.

 

Cost of living was going up—”veal now l0 cents a pound.”

 

Quiet and sane Fourth of July—no village celebration.

 

The Catholic Church people had a picnic at Manitoba Park and netted “a handsome sum of money.”

 

1. D. Crandall had invested $10,000 in his auto livery— stalls for 30 horses and ample room for autos and carriages.

On April 1st, the Girling Warner Company resumed service to Anoka, St. Michael and Lake Charlotte. Three cars with six round trips daily.

 

There was much news about the sinking of the Titanic in April. It was thought to be the greatest tragedy of the seas.

 

Mitchell roadsters were pictured and advertised. Thirty horsepower. Cost $950.

The Robbinsdale Tellit reported that a would be passenger waiting for the train at the Robbinsdale Depot asked the station agent how long before the train would arrive. The agent looked up the track and said, ” Pretty soon now. Here comes the engineer’s dog”

 

Shortly after the dedication of Sacred Heart Church in 1911, a group of women formed a club which in October, 1912, officially became The Rosary Society. Mrs. J. A. Boies was the first president. Money-raising events helped with the church expenses and when the convent was completed in 1927, the Society provided the furnishings.

1913

In 1913 Parker School, built in 1890, was no longer adequate for over 200 pupils. Fourteen thousand dollars in bonds were issued to add four additional rooms to the front of the original school and the name was changed to Robbinsdale Public

School. Many additions have been built since, including an adjoining high school, an auditorium, a north wing, and a south wing. A major remodeling in the 1970’s included a swimming pool and removal of the auditorium for increased gymnasium space. It became a junior high school after a new high school was built in 1956.

The P. T. A. was organized in 1913, one of the first in the state. Mrs.  Robert Craig (Carrie Swift) was instrumental in starting the group and was its first president. Child welfare in all its many branches has been the program of the Parents and Teachers Association. Hot lunches, milk for needy children, clothing projects, library facilities have been secured as they became necessary. “Each president left an imprint on the organization by carrying out some worthy objective,” said Esther Loe, in a December 8, 1938 paper. Esther Loe was a long-time, favorite teacher in School District No. 24. Her students both loved and feared her for being a strict disciplinarian. Another well-loved teacher at that time was Tekkla Thote who taught mathematics.

 

The Village Council set wages for labor in the Village: “a man and team’

$4.50 for a nine-hour day and for a man, $2 for a nine-hour day.”

 

On December 11th, The Commercial Club of Robbinsdale was organized with a membership of 45  and W.A. Farr as president. The club’s announced purpose was to boost first for Robbinsdale, then for Minneapolis.

1914

 

The November 1, 1914, Minneapolis Tribune describes the new through street-car service just inaugurated. ‘It leaves Hennepin and Sixth Street and arrives thirty minutes later in Robbinsdale, at the end of a 3800-foot stretch of concrete pavement, replacing the old Jumper stub line, which had operated for over twenty years.” There was a gala celebration ending in a burst of oratory from various officials. Mr. Girling claimed the old jumper was a great character builder—”Getting off the Penn car late at night just in time to see the tail light of the ‘dinky’ disappearing over the hill was great schooling in the virtues of resignation, patience and self-control.”

According to a Sunday feature in the June 28th, 1914 Minneapolis Tribune, Robbinsdale had an electric light plant, sidewalks, curb and gutters. The volunteer fire department could call on  additional fire protection from the Crystal Lake Avenue station of the Minneapolis fire department. The village was free of debt. and government was  by a council composed of a president and four Councilman. Robbinsdale had one factory operated by E.M. Pearson for 20 years. Pearson  manufactured a patent nailer for shingle nails and in 1914 he began tack nailer. production. These nailers were unique in that they were only ones manufactured at the time. Pearson owned the basic patents. In 1914 the demand was so far above the production that Pearson was usually months behind orders.

 

915

 

In 1914 under the auspices of George 0. Johnson, Arthur L. Jones and J. H. Morse, many money-raising events were held for a bandstand for Robbinsdale Civic Club Band. These included events such as the ice cream social in the Robbinsdale Village Hall on July 28, 1914—”Plates, 10 cents.” On July 29, 1915, the Robbinsdale Civic Club Band, W. F. Grenell, director, held the first of many Open Air Concerts in the new bandstand. It had been erected with the help of many public spirited citizens at the corner of West Broadway and 42nd Avenue. The stand was later moved to a site near the present water tower on Hubbard Avenue and still later to 40th Avenue and West Broadway. It was demolished in the late 1940’s and in the 1960’s a portable bandstand was purchased. By 1926, there were two bands functioning: the Robbinsdale Concert Band which replaced the Civic Club Band (in name at least) directed by W. F. Grenell and the South Town Community Band, Louis Spotten, leader. About 1929 or 1930 a Junior Band was.organized with Dr. E. J. Lillehei as committee chairman. It was sponsored by the American Legion to act as a feeder for the Concert Band. Louis Spotten was the first leader, followed by Arthur Johnson. After the high school was built in 1936, the need for a Junior Band was met through the school’s musical activities. Robbinsdale has always been proud of its bands. When Robbinsdale became a city in December, 1938, the band again changed its name to the Robbinsdale City Band. Eventually it was divided into two groups—the Concert Band and the Marching Band, the latter consisting of those wanting (and able) to march in the annual Aquatennial Parades We should give honor to other directors of the band who have served so well: Miles Sery, Clarence Hegg, Paul Larson, William Alien Abbott, Robert Mendenhall (17 years), Roy Olson, Donald Schiermer and Roger Thompson, since 1969. The band has taken many honors, and we are very proud of the many top honors earned in the Aquatennial competitions.

The June 18 edition of the RobbinsdaJe Teilit, “an Independent (but not neutral) Newspaper,” reported local news: a frost reported two nights earlier; H. M. Grenell suffering from a sprained foot; Mrs. Sarah Smith will launder your curtains for only 20 cents the pair; the Loose Wiles Biscuit Company will have a demonstration of its goods at the Russ-McDonald store and everyone is invited to sample the many delicious articles; the Russ-McDonald Store has been remodeled and a “new and commodius front put in”; the Girling Warner Auto Bus line announced a change of running time between Robbinsdale and Osseo and special terms are made for picnic and fishing parties; J. B. Russ has purchased a new Ford; the Crystal Baths have not had a very good season thus far, as summer has not arrived yet. Robbinsdale had a particularly heavy blizzard in 1915.  This issue also included a long quote from the Texas Farmers’ Union on “Why Should Women Vote.” Some quotes: “We are opposed to equal rights of woman—we want her to ever remain our superior.” “We are opposed to a woman in the field, in the factory or in the army and for the same reasons we had rather see her plant flowers—gather bouquets—and rear children than raise political issues.” Women did get the vote in 1920.

The Village Council minutes record some street name changes in 1915. “County Road” (now Shoreline) was changed to Lake Street, to be a continuation of the then Lake Street (now 40th Avenue North) to Vilas (now Noble). The street, then known as Minneapolis-Bottineau Road (now Broadway) was changed to Crystal Lake Avenue. Several other name changes occurred but have again been changed. Crystal Lake Avenue was paved with concrete in 1916.

In September, 52 members of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry gathered at the home of Mrs. A.B. Robbins. Andrew B. Robbins was one of the youngest members of the Civil War regiment when he enlisted at the age of 17. The veterans were received by the citizens of Robbinsdale, the band, veterans from other regiments and sons of veterans. After the group was escorted through decorated streets to the big house on Twin Lake, a program was held on the lawn where an army camp with a big camp fire was made.

1916

 

Civil War veteran, farmer, politician and businessman, Jay Elijah Nash was born on March 29, 1843, in Hadley, Massachusetts. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Union serving with Company D of the 27th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Nash re-enlisted in 1863. During the long bloody course of the war Nash fought in twenty battles and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was wounded in action at Petersburg on in 1864. The following year Nash was captured in North Carolina, and held as a prisoner of war for 19 days before he was exchanged. After the war was over, Nash returned home to Hadley. On April 8, 1865 he married a woman from Springfield, Massachusetts named, Martha M. Davis. Four years later Jay and Martha Nash moved to Minnesota, taking up residence in Minneapolis. In 1874, Martha gave birth to George S. Nash. In 1880, Nash purchased 40 acres of land in what was then Crystal Lake Township. He established a dairy farm with 82 head of cattle. Nash opened a hardware store a coupe years later. Martha and Jay divorced in 1885. The following year Nash remarried, a Vermont native Clara Louise Cooper. Four years later, Clara gave birth to Jay’s younger son and the couple’s first child together, Floyd E. Nash. In 1895, their daughter, Ruby L. Nash was born.

Nash spent a great deal of time reflecting upon his Civil War Experience and decided that war was little more than organized murder. He advocated pacifism and argued that socialism was the best way to guarantee peace. In 1899, Nash became one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party of Minnesota and in 1902, Nash became the gubernatorial nominee for the Socialist Party of Minnesota. He received less than one percent of the vote, but Nash’s star continued to rise. On February 22, 1904 the state convention of the Public Ownership (Socialist) Party of Minnesota, meeting in Minneapolis, elected Nash as State Secretary and later that year he became party’s nominee for the office of Governor. Nash did a little better the second time around. He received 1.91% of the vote. The party grew during Nash’s tenure as State Secretary, In 1905 the Public Ownership (Socialist) Party of Minnesota averaged 791 members in good standing by 1908, there were 1,837. By 1915 the party had 5,600 members. They managed a few victories during Nash’s tenure winning a seat in the legislature and mayor elections in Brainard, Two Harbors, Crookston and Bemidji. In 1912, Nash ran for the office of State Treasurer. He won 12.65% of the vote. Undeterred Nash, took to the speakers’ circuit and gave speeches all over the state. Nash ran for the office of State Treasurer again in 1914. He won8.96 percent. On July 30, 1915 At the age of 72, Nash was thrown from his wagon and died. George Nash took over the family hardware store. Clara continued live in Nash’s Crystal Lake home until she passed away in 1944. Their daughter Ruby lived in the family home until her death in the 1960s.

n 1916 Floyd E. Nash built a bath house on his family’s property at Crystal Lake. The new bath house opened with 24 lockers, later increased to 100 and still later, 900 lockers. It was a recreation center, widely known for good, clean, wholesome fun—bathing, toboggan slides into the water, boating, fishing, picnics, dancing, and cottages. He also operated the Nash Land and Fuel Company for about 10 years.

Each vote counted, even in the 1916 village council election, when a recount on March 16 showed Leo M. Kuch was elected Trustee by four votes. Others elected were William H. Johnson, President; Arthur Jones and J. A. Peterson, Trustees; J. A. Trump, Recorder; C. H. Hubbell, Justice of the Peace; and S. E. Sinclair, Constable.

 

1917

 

During the World War of 1917 and 1918, Robbinsdale’s growth was at a standstill. As in other wars, Robbinsdale furnished a generous share of soldiers. The first contingent to leave the village in a truck bearing a huge banner “Robbinsdale to Berlin” consisted of Eddie Lacomb, William Schlundt, Julius Sessing, Dave Parkhill, John Nasett, and Nick Clasen.

 

On January 15 the Civic Club requested the council to pay $50 to help make up the deficit on the bandstand, which it did, provided the Civic Club turn the bandstand over to the Village.

 

On April 27th, funeral services for John P. Shumway were held at The Congregational Church. A pioneer and Civil War veteran, Shumway was the town treasurer for 20 years.The Robbins family “served with the colors,” for generations.

Despite the challenges of difficult marriages and running the family businesses, it was inevitable that Amy Robbins Ware and Edith Robbins Daniels, the daughters of Andrew B. Robbins would throw themselves into the war effort. Both women were in their 40’s at the time.  April 6, 1917, (the day the United States declared war), Amy  entered the American School of Telegraphy, studying Morse and Radio Telegraphy, remaining until July, 1917. She conducted the Radio Department, Women’s Naval Service Inc. Training School, teaching both day and night classes at Fort Snelling. Edith volunteered for the Red Cross and supervised the production of several thousand garments made from dozens of bolts of new materials donated for the purpose for all of which Edith either cut or directed the cutting and making. She kept scores of sewing machines supplied with material and volunteer workers. All these garments were sent parcel post direct to the scenes of need in France and Belgium.

 

1918

 

On January 19 Mr. J. Bloberger, Hall Custodian, reported “his supply of wood and coal was running short and he didn’t know if he could get any more” so the Council instructed him not to rent the hall to outside parties and to conserve fuel as much as possible.

 

The Council also in 1918 voted to pay $3.25 per week for admission of a Robbinsdale resident (name withheld by editor) to the poor farm as his relatives refuse to care for him any longer. The Hennepin County poor farm was located one-half mile south of Hopkins.

 

In 1918 the Council Trustees were paid $10 per year. The Treasurer, E. M. Pearson, received $100 and J. A. Trump, as Clerk got $150.

 

Amy Robbins Ware was accepted as a canteen worker, American Red Cross, and sailed for France on “La Touraine,” March 14, 1918. Her first assignment to 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, enabled her to continue teaching radio, nights, to prospective “observers,” while serving in Red Cross Canteen through the day. The officer in charge of the classes being transferred elsewhere, this work was important. When the Red Cross called for volunteers to the front, September, 1918, Mrs. Ware went and served in emergency canteen and nursing throughout St. Mihiel and Argonne drives, “under fire” with Field Hospital No. 41, where there were no other women than her unit, at Sorcey-sur-Meuse. She had learned the manoeuvers of the aviators at the Aviation Center, and in her book “Echoes of France,” describes the first air battle she saw, at Sorcey, under the title “Birds of the Night.” She continued with Evacuation Hospital, No. 9, Vaubricourt; and No. II, Brizeaux-Forestierre in the Argonne, until December 8, 1918.

1919

 

The Security Bank was incorporated December 16, 1918, opening for business January 16, 1919, in the same one-story building which had housed its predecessors, two banks which were once described by Mrs. Stillman as “very disappointing,” a most lenient description. The first officers were T. M. Antony, President; Arthur Ovrum, Vice-president; J. W. Roche, Cashier. Mr. Roche was the sole employee, so when he left the building, it was necessary to lock the bank. Mr. T. P. Howard (who had come to Robbinsdale from Anoka in 1914, and had purchased the lumber yard) was elected president on January 4, 1921 and held the office until January, 1953. Deposits at year’s end were $127’352. Metal savings “banks” were given to early depositors to stimulate savings.

 

n January Amy Robbins Ware succumbed to exhaustion  and gave up herup her canteen at Quai d’Orsay, She was sent to the Riviera to recuperate. On April 15, 1919, she was transferred from Red Cross to army, . For four months after her recovery she was a member of the faculty of the University established for the American Expeditionary forces, and was stationed at Savenay Hospital Center, where she taught architecture, mechanical drawing, and lettering. Amy had been on overseas duty sixteen months to a day when she received her discharge from the army, in New York, on June 14, 1919, when she returned to Robbinsdale.

Westphal Post 251 of the American Legion was organized October 31,  1919, and was named in honor of Gottlieb L. Westphal, who was killed in action on October 16, 1918, on the Sommerance St. Juvin Road in France. Westphal was born in Leonardsville, Traverse County, Minnesota, December 7th, 1891. He spent his boyhood and working on his father’s farm. In the 1915, the family moved to a small farm near Robbinsdale. Westphal entered the United States Military Service February 26th, 1918. He was assigned to Company D, 327th Infantry, United States National Army, and reached the battle front in France in June, 1918. The company fought bravely in the trenches. Westphal died while serving as one of the battalion scouts from his company. He was 27 years old. Westphal was first buried in the Argonne American Cemetery. A few years later remains were forwarded to his family by the War Department arriving early in September, 1921, and given a military funeral under the auspices of the Westphal American Legion Post No. 251, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, assisted by a detachment from Fort Snelling who escorted his remains to the German Methodist Cemetery in the Township of Greenwood, Hennepin County, Minnesota where they were interned in the family lot.

 

Early Commanders of the Westphal Post were:

 

1920 Arthur Sessing

 

1921 Herbert E. Clasen

 

1922 F. R. Stinchfield

 

1923 George Christensen

 

1924 Joseph W. Roche

 

1925 Lawrence J. Nasett

 

1926 Edward Schuller

 

1927 Curt Hoffman

 

1928, 1929 HenryHartig

 

1930 Julius E. Sessing

 

In 1952 James Walker became Commander and by 1974 was State commander, and in 1976, National Vice Commander His wife Margaret was Auxiliary President in 1950 and State President in 1965-1966. James and Margaret Walker are often called Mr. and Mrs. American Legion because of their” more than thirty years of continuous and dedicated service to the Legion. The Post has been active from the first in civic affairs, patriotic observances, sponsoring youth activities, and numberless good works. It has sponsored a Boy Scout Troop since 1923, held Dog Derbies on Crystal Lake, sponsored Junior Baseball Teams (with Mr. T. P. Howard furnishing the uniforms several times), planted several thousand trees in parts of the village, erected “Protect Robbinsdale Children” signs, sponsored the School Safety Patrol, given school award medals, and contributed to many charitable funds and drives. It has conducted Memorial Day observances in four cemeteries Brooklyn-Crystal, Golden Valley, Assumption, and Burschville—every year since its organization. In all ways the Post has carried out its creed of service for “God and Country.”

Wilford Hamilton Fawcett born in 1885 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, to a physician named  John Fawcett and Maria Neilson. “Billy” was the third of eight children. The Fawcett family moved to North Dakota three years later. At the age of 16, Wilford Hamiliton Fawcett, better known as Captain Billy, ran away from home, joined the army, and shipped out to the Philippines. Fawcett served as a private during the Philippine Insurrection. After the kris blade of a Moro tribesman tore through his leg, army doctors recommended an amputation. Fawcett rejected the operation, returned home, and found a backwoods Doctor who had a reputation for saving doomed limbs. When he was back up on his feet, Fawcett married Viva Claire Meyers. In 1906 the couple settled in Minnesota where Fawcett took a job as a railway clerk. Soon his wife gave birth to twins and Fawcett took a second job as a police reporter for a Minneapolis newspaper. At the outbreak of World War I he returned to the army where he worked on the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. Fawcett rose to the rank of captain and adopted his famous nickname, “Captain Billy.” When he returned from the war Fawcett opened a bar called the Army Navy Club. Unfortunately, prohibition became the law of the land in 1919. The bar closed and Fawcett was left scrambling to support his growing family. During his army days Fawcett collected saucy stories he didn’t dare print in Star and Stripes. Inspired by a North Dakota periodical called Jim Jam Jems, Fawcett decided to risk $500.00 and print a humor magazine for veterans. Named after himself and the sound of an incoming artillery shell, the first issue of Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang sold out in less than a week. By the time the fourth issue hit the newsstands, the little magazine had sold over 500,000 copies. Fawcett became rich and famous almost overnight.

1920

 

Census 1,369—a 79% increase since 1910

 

The decade of the “twenties” is remembered by many as the very best decade of their lives. The war to end wars was over and times were booming

 

(until the stock market crash in 1929). Many got their first radios. Model

“T’s” were replacing horses and the “flappers” were in style—and short dresses for the first time in history, we think The Charleston was the popular dance; and women “bobbed” their hair, thus no longer needing to brush it 100 strokes every day. Gas stoves were replacing the old iron wood stoves. and gas furnaces began replacing coal furnaces.

 

Robbinsdale had an unprecedented building boom and by 1930 its population had increased 223% to 4,427. Robbinsdale also got a public water supply. Times were looking up and people thought it would last forever.

 

The Robbinsdale Airport opened in 1920. The facility played hot to a variety of aviation entertainments including barnstorming, parachute jumping exhibitions. The airport’s grass runway stretched from Fairfax Avenue to 44th Avenue North. The field and hangers were just east of West Broadway

March,  T. P. Howard was elected president President of the Village Council.

 

The American Legion Auxiliary to Westphal Post #251 was organized with 31 charter members, August 6, 1920, with Mrs. F. R. Stinchfield serving as first president. Its purpose was to aid the Post in serving the disabled comrades and in caring for the needy children of veterans; to assist in community activities, especially along the lines of youth and health activities.

Robbinsdale Girls Scouts at Camp

 

It also sponsored Girl Scout Troops, Scholarship medals, Garden Clubs for school children, essay contests, sewing for veterans and their families and the hospital, selling articles made by disabled veterans—all have been part of the program from the beginning to the present.

 

An early paper tells about the Sunday night supper served to 135 disabled men at Asbury Hospital. Hospital visiting was carried on, too, from the beginning, first at Asbury, later at Ft. Snelling. Mrs. L. I. Nasett and Mrs. Lena CIasen were the first hospital visitors, with Mrs. T. P. Howard active there for many years, first as a visitor, then as State Chairman. National honors came to the Unit in 1933 when Miss Elizabeth Youssi won the State and National Essay Awards, a $200 scholarship prize, in an essay contest sponsored by the unit. Perhaps the most ambitious undertaking of the local post and unit was the Tenth District Convention held June 19 and 20, 1937. Mrs. Frank P. Hosterman was co-chairman and P. J. Connoy and Henry Hartig were official greeters. Early meetings were held at the Robbinsdale City Hall.

 

At the Auxiliary’s First National Convention, November 1, 1921, the poppy was selected as the Memorial Flower and the women of the Auxiliary have “sold poppies (made by the veterans in the hospital) every year around Memorial Day to raise money for projects to help the disabled veterans, and every year the Auxiliary joins the Legion in Memorial Day services and in services at several cemeteries and in putting flags on veterans’ graves.

An active Junior Auxiliary for young daughters of Legion members was organized by Mrs. William [Agnes) Kranz in 1932. They made tray favors for hospitalized veterans and dressed dolls for needy children at Christmas.

 

During the depression years in the 30’s, the Auxiliary pledged one hundred or more glasses of jam and jelly for the Veterans Hospital and a canning project conducted by the president, Mrs. F. P. (Bea) Hosterman, furnished 1600 cans of tomatoes and 400 cans of apples for distribution to needy families. The auxiliary also bought an artificial eye for a five- year-old. The Auxiliary sponsored a Giri Scout Troop, eventually two troops. Mrs. Henry (Dorothy) Hartig was troop leader for many years. Then Mrs. John C. (Bertha) Smith took over. She later became Tenth District President.

 

This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodget. The image at the top of the post features Hommes Motors on the eastside West Broadway and the Blacksmith shop at West Broadway and 42nd.

921

 

Because the wives of the Masons who belonged to Compass Lodge #265 A.F. & A.M. 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. As the Masonic Temple was just a “gleam in the eyes” of the members of Compass Lodge, meetings of both groups were held in rooms over a garage on main Street (West Broadway). The meetings were constantly interrupted by cars coming into and leaving the garage so the members had to pause in their deliberations until silence prevailed. Their dreams were realized when the Masonic Temple was built during the summer of 1922 and dedicated September 30, 1922. Times were hard in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s and the Masons faced losing their building. In 1933, plans were made for Robbinsdale Chapter to assume ownership of the building after learning that a Night Club was interested in it The members of the committee appointed to handle the transfer were Elmer Lillehei, Willard Randall, Otis Galloway, Gwen Brown, Ella Mueller, Ann Hamilton, and Hilborg Wiklund. Efforts to pay the mortgage via rummage sales, card parties, etc., proved insufficient so in 1937, Vern Harrington, Worthy Patron of the Chapter, suggested, “put up a stand at the State Fair.” The lot was selected near the Grand Stand, and under the direction of William Bursch, the Brothers of the “Star” built the kitchen (which still stands). A tent was erected which served for two rainy years. The present Dining Hall was built in 1939. The members of the Chapter volunteer their services, the Job’s Daughters of Bethel #39 serve in the Dining Room and the boys of Robbinsdale DeMolay are the dishwashers. This proved to be a successful money-raising venture and on November 26, 1947, they “Burned the Mortgage.”

December 2, 1921, witnessed the first of two bank robberies. A man robbed the bank of $1,500 and Miss Carrie McDougall proved to be the heroine of the affair by courageously touching off the burglar alarm. Justice V. D. CrandaII, summoned by the alarm, shot and killed the robber. Crandall gave the reward money to the slain bandit’s daughter. On April 19, 1930, a second bandit attempted to get away after taking $5,000 from the bank funds; he was shot by John Bloberger, Jr., police officer, who had been notified by Ted Haight, janitor, that something was wrong. In those days the bank was open from six to eight p.m. Saturday evenings for the convenience of its depositors. Since then no police officer has ever had to shoot anybody, according to present Police Chief Roland “Bud” Thurman.

Amy and Edith Robbins began excitedly remodeling a house for a tea room. They went to a gravel pit and picked out most of the stones for the entrance pillars themselves. On May 12, 1920, Amy Robbins again entered the Government service, teaching in the Army School at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.  Ginn and Company of Boston, publishers of school books, with the assist­ance of Thaddeus Giddings, director of the Department of Public SchoolMusic in Minneapolis, “discovered” Edith Robbins, through some of her published verses and se­cured her cooperation as contributor and adviser on the publication of a series of school music readers, of which four volumes are already in use in Minneapolis and other cities. Pursuant to this work Edith Robbins and her little daughter, Helen Mary, spent the summer in Boston, writing and conferring on the publication. Several hun­dred songs with words by Edith Robbins appeared in the series.

These days we take air travel for granted, but in 1921 Captain Billy Fawcett made the papers when he flew to a trap shoot competition in Chicago in his “areoplane”. Whiz Bang magazine was going like gang busters and Fawcett knew how spend money. In February he purchased 80 acres on Big Pelican Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota and began construction on Breezy Point Resort. By the end of the year Whiz Bang magazine had a million subscribers.

he first reference to any water supply for the Village of Robbinsdale was made on October 18, 1921, when the president of the Village Council, Thomas P. Howard, called a mass meeting to find out public reaction to a public water supply. Up to this time residents had wells and cisterns, the cistern water (rain water) being used by the Fire Department. The results of this meeting are not recorded but on February 1, 1922, the Charles L. Pillsbury Company reported the tests revealed the best water was found in the area surrounding 38th and Vilas (later changed to Noble) at a depth of 500 to 600 feet. On February 17, 1922, the Village Council (T. P. Howard, William J. Mueller, William Bursch, John A. Trump, and William H. Meyers) voted unanimously to sell $35,000 worth of bonds and hold a special election on March 7th, but the water issue was defeated. It took a good fire for Robbinsdale to get city water.

Probably the most outstanding event of the year was the dedication on June 11 of the memorial trees on Victory Memorial. The “Father of the Minneapolis Park System Park System”, the Honorable C.M. Loring, spoke at the event and reminded those assembled that , “The trees we planted today will on each recurrent spring, put their beautiful robes of green to remind our children and our children’s children for many generations of the great debt they owed to the heroes who’s memories they will ever keep green. These trees will be fresh memorials each year new life and buds and leaves appear- a living monument and true type of immortality.”

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 Hennepin County Enterprise, and still later the Robbinsdale Post gave us the news- In the Northern Headiights, Robbinsdale was proclaimed to be ‘Minneapolis’ finest and best residential suburb” with a population of 3000. The Northern Headiights bragged about Robbinsdale’s “Progressive Community Spirit, Wide Awake Commercial Club, thriving religious institutions, finest school in the State . . . best water (by analysis) in the State, thirty-minute car service, broad level streets, two miles of paving, four splendid lakes within or adjacent to its borders, no palaces, no hovels.”

 

There was an influenza epidemic in February and March. Bandits held up Bob Jaeger’s Chicken Tavern on Crystal Lake Avenue and took $70.

 

An editorial in the March 18 issue of The Northern Headlights urged the stopping of cutting of ice for commercial purposes, “as it lowers the water level of the lakes and will eventually cause the lakes to be nothing but mud holes.” Most families had ice boxes and would order ice by putting in the window a card stipulating “25” or “50” pounds. Ice cutting operations on the lakes were not without hazards—like falling in. Ice blocks were stored in barns with sawdust and hay which kept it frozen even through the summer months.

 

The February 15th issue said “the races on Crystal Lake attract larger crowds every week. Streetcars from both directions are crowded.” Horse racing was a very popular sport for both racers and spectators.

he Fawcett Publications Company was founded in 1920 to put out Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang. In the beginning Fawcett and his wife handled the business from their home. It was very successful from a financial point of view and financed later magazines until their circulation became profitable. By 1922, 400,000 copies a month of the various magazines, mostly Whiz-Bangs, were circulated to all parts of the world. Better accommodations were needed and Captain Billy approached the bank about a new building for the use of both the bank and the publications. In March, 1922, it was announced that the “Security State Bank will erect a new two-story building on the site of the present structure. The bank will occupy the ground floor and the Fawcett Publication on the second floor.”

So the bank fixtures were moved into the Mengelkoch-Bofferding Garage

(later the site of the Red Owl Store, now McDonald’s parking lot) during the change. The building was erected quickly and in August the bank was installed in its new quarters. On July 19, Vol. 1 No. 1 of a new magazine True Confessions was issued, “a highly colored publication both as to cover and contents,” said the newspaper notice. The expansion of the Fawcett business was so rapid that within six months it was necessary to increase the floor space three times, by adding another building at the rear and another story on the top. Mr. L. I. Nasett recalled one of the heavy days after the company started in business, when 13,000 post cards were purchased, and several hundred dollars in stamps. Mr. Nasett was Postmaster then of the Fourth Class Post Office, which soon was raised to third class and on July 1, 1922, to second class. In 1930, the publication’s offices were moved to Minneapolis but the Fawcetts were loyal to the village and continued to bring their magazines to be mailed from Robbinsdale until the firm was moved to the East. ‘Robbinsdale’s July celebration “Whiz Bang Days” was named after Fawcett’s publications.

 

In 1928. Cedric Adams, noted columnist and radio commentator, joined Fawcett Publication as an associate editor. Actually, he had been “turning out jokes” for Whiz Bang during his years at the University. Cedric and Virginia Safford, who also worked for Fawcett at that time, were good friends and both remembered their happy days working in Robbinsdale. Mary Clasen, whose husband (Robert) was in charge of the water department, worked as a waitress at Ivan Wagner’s Cafe next to the Fawcett building. She remembers Cedric Adams and remembers “the hole in the wall between the buildings and helping push 35 dinners a day through the hole to the Fawcett employees.

Because of the building boom, the County Commissioners to pave 8.7 miles of the Rockford Road (42nd Avenue) at a cost of over $100,000. This came after about thirty years of disagreement.

923

 

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 work persuading the Minneapolis City Council and the Robbinsdale’s citizen’s that a merger by way of annexation would be advantageous. In September, pettiions were circulated and the 100 signitures necessary to take a vote were obtained.

 

Boy Scout Troop 234 was established by Westphal Post 251 of the American Legion. Early leaders were A. J. Sessing, Henry 0. Hench, Milton Nordstrom and Vernon Lennartson. In the late 1950’s, the Legion built a Boy Scout camp on the Apple River near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. It was dedicated September 27, 1959, as the John W. Cooper Memorial Camp. John Cooper was an Eagle Scout and had been killed in a jet plane crash in 1952.

 

Robbinsdale held a Mid-Summer festival at the Southtown Community Club on July 2oth and 21st. The club was organized in 1922 with W.H.M. Adams as president.  12 girls competed to be queen of the festival.

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 Hennepin County. Governor Preus said, “He was one of the most efficient legislators in the State.”

 

The Northern Headlights, January 18, 1924, carried large headlines and his picture. He had served one term in the legislature in 1903 and then again from 1915 until his death. Although a Republican, he had staunch support among prominent Democrats and at his last election, had no opponent. Another note in the Northern Headlights bemoaned the fact that the 1914 dollar was now worth only 60 cents.

 

On January 19 the Commercial Club sponsored a “Dance and Basket Social” in the Masonic Temple:

 

“Girls, Bring a Basket Filled for Two.” (Basket socials were popular even in the 1890)s. Girls were hopeful their favorite “beau” would bid the highest and eat with them.

 

“Midwinter Frolics” was also sponsored by the Robbinsdale Commercial Club in 1924. On January 17 the Parent and Teachers Club presented “Andy Gump” at the Robbinsdale School Auditorium. On January 18 the Young Ladies Sodality gave a skating party and oyster supper at Crystal Lake in the Warming House.

 

The Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church which in 1889, had first sponsored the Luther Seminary on College Avenue (now Regent Avenue), reorganized its congregation and built a church at 40th and Regent. By 1950, the congregation outgrew the church and rooms were rented at the Robbinsdale High School on Regent Avenue. But more room was needed as three services were held. The present Redeemer Lutheran Church was erected at 42nd and Regent Avenue in 1965. The dedication celebrated the 40th anniversary of the congregation. In 1980, the Reverend Leonard C. Thaemert retired after serving 28 years.

 

n 1924, five years after Captain Billy and his brothers established Fawcett Publications in Robbinsdale, Triple X became one of the fledgling publisher’s earliest success stories. Edited By Captain Billy’s brother, Roscoe Fawcett and Jack Smalley, the two bit Triple-X men’s adventure magazine was available at newsstands across America for over a decade. In addition to a monthly collection of Westerns, the pulp thrilled readers with sports stories and war stories that combined western heroes, flying aces and detectives. The Action took place on the trail, in the air and occasionally at sea. Triple X published a parade of pulp writers that included Murray Leinster, W.C. Tuttle, Will James, Tom Hopkins,Victor Rousseau, Arthur Guy Empey, William M. Rouse,W.C. Tuttle, Stephen Payne, Jay Lucas and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Fawcett illustrated his adventure magazine with cover art by Harry Parkhurst, Denton Clark, Will James, Alan Anderson and Will King.

In the summer of 1924, Captain Billy packed his bags and joined America’s Olympic trap-shooters in Paris, France. It was the fifth appearance of the event. The men’s trap was held at Issy-les-Moulineaux on July 8th and 9th. 44 shooters from 14 nations competed. Captain Billy came in 18th place with a score of 91. Upon his return to the states he published a magazine of naughty French prints.

 

For two years in the early 1920’s, there was a Ku Klux Klan of Minneapolis that paraded here. It was the largest Klan in the State. When the Klan paraded down Broadway from 42nd Avenue to a gravel pit near the old traffic circle, former Mayor Charles Wallace recalls that the line of marchers was four blocks long. Many Robbinsdale residents were included. Lucille Beebe remembers that fear struck many people as the Klan burned its fiery cross near Lowry Avenue and Highway 52. Floyd. B. Olson, then Attorney General, put a stop to the Klan.

 

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, appliance and automobile store, the first brick building erected in Robbinsdale, 28 years previously. Schuller lived upstairs, smelled smoke and evacuated his parents and brother. Joseph Hommes’ hardware store was next to go with explosions from paint and hunting supplies. The Ole Olson Bakery and the William Loomis candy store went next. Towns people helped save almost fifty automobiles from the Main Garage run by Basil Hunter. Loss was limited to five businesses and the homes of Arthur Kirkwood and E. E. Wiklund which included a variety store. Forty-five firemen from Minneapolis helped Robbinsdale volunteers to keep the blaze from jumping the main street. They had to chop a hole in Crystal Lake and lay 3,000 feet of hose to bring water to the fire scene. Wind carried sparks and embers as far south as 3805 West Broadway. The fire burned out the half block between Crystal Lake Avenue and Hubbard and 41st Avenues south of the hotel. Loss was estimated at $150,000.

 

In the 1924 election for a public water supply, the issue had been defeated by a vote of 324 for and 353 against. The McNair Manor water system was offered to the village but a restricting order was issued October 11, 1924, against the acceptance of it. There were questions of quality. However, a Taxpayers League committee (William Bursch, T. Howard, C. W. Carter, Harry Hench and E. J. O’Reilly) appeared before the Village Council. The discussion must have been favorable because on February 3, 1925, (after the disastrous fire in January), the Council asked the City of Minneapolis to furnish water to Robbinsdale. No election was held, bonds were sold, a contract was signed with Minneapolis on June 19, contracts were awarded June 30, 1925, and work was started from Lowry to France, on Hubbard from France to Rockford Road (42nd Avenue North), thence on Rockford Road to Glenwood (Yates), then down Yates to 39th Avenue, then to Noble (Vilas), then to Robin Street (41st Avenue], then to Hubbard, and on 40th Avenue from Hubbard to Drew. Mr. W. S. Sayre was employed at $20 per week to supervise and inspect the installation of the system. Additions continued to be made to the water system and many mains were laid with the help of WPA in the 1930’s.

 

In 1926, an addition to the Village Hall was built to accommodate the fire engine. Fire insurance rates were reduced because of better fire protection. Fire protection has greatly improved. In 1967, Robbinsdale acquired a “snorkel” and in 1980, the newest of our fire rigs. The Fire Chief, since 1977, is Thomas C. Sipe. His father, Walter Sipe, served on the fire department from 1926 to 1952. Walter, with his brother William, who had chauffered for Dr. Donald G. Colp, had the first gasoline pump located on the curb at 4132 West Broadway.

 

About 1925 the names of many of the streets were changed to eliminate duplication and to bring about a unified system between the villages of Crystal, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale. To achieve alphabetical arrangement of the streets and avenues, some of the names honoring the pioneer settlers were changed; some beautiful and distinctive names became meaningless duplications of those of countless other small towns and large cities. By April, 1929, the campaign “to end address confusion” with new house numbers and street changes was completed. Crystal Lake Avenue became West Broadway; College Avenue, Regent. Robbins, Coulter, Shumway, Stillman Wagner, Woods and others were lost and Lake View, Lakeland, Lake Drive, Lake Curve, and Lake Road have arisen to puzzle delivery men and confuse guests to this day.

 

On June 2nd, a  tornado leveled the home of Gust Althoff. a local barber, at 3528

Major Avenue. The tornado cut a wide swath. Damages were reported in Wayzata, New Brighton, Anoka and Osseo.  Fortunately, there were no deaths.

 

926

 

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 the same site. (Later, an addition was added.) This library served the area until 1975 when it was closed by Hennepln County as the county had built the new regional library on Rockford Road.

 

In May 300 school children performed in the operetta, The Whole Year Round. The performance in the main auditorium of the school on  Regent Avenue, included 21 chorus, solo, quartet and dance numbers. The Opera was presented under the supervision of Eva Barnett and Phyllis Grant.

 

 

The Minneapolis Journal October 24 issue stated “Robbinsdale, a residential suburb—on the Jefferson Highway—is a Minnesota village that is ‘all dressed up’ but is afraid to go anywhere.” A few years previously, the law under which it incorporated as a village in 1893, was repealed. So Robbinsdale was awaiting “re-incorporation.” Plans were being made for a home rule charter and for becoming a fourth-class city. Harvey A. Morse was President of the Village Council; Herbert Clasen, Clerk; and Herman Renspies, Treasurer. The village trustees were Clyde F. Burfeind, Ralph F. Peterson and R. J. Gladwin. A tremendous growth in population (from 1369 in 1920 to about 4000) and a building boom of new homes had occurred and after the 1925 fire, $250,000 had been spent on rebuilding the business area which greatly improved main street. The Journal article also mentioned that 17 miles of water mains were laid in 1926.

 

 

Dr. Elmer J. Lillehei moved to Robbinsdale and set up practice in the new Wiklund Building, 4109 West Broadway. At that time Wiklunds had a variety store on the first floor and doctor’s offices were upstairs. Dr. Lillehei died suddenly after 34 years of practicing medicine in Robbinsdale. He was 65. The famous heart surgeons were his nephews. Dr. Lillehei was active in the Masons and the American Legion and a veteran of World War I. His wife, Anne, survives him.

 

 

Village Council minutes of 1926, record that William Mueller requested sidewalk be laid in front of his new building at 42nd and West Broadway. This store was torn down in 1982 by the Housing Authority because it had deteriorated so much it was uninhabitable. The minutes also mention a Manitoba Park near 33rd and France Avenue was to be flooded for a skating rink and the “Southtown” citizens wanted a light at 36th and West Broadway and at the skating rink.

 

On September 15, a large “FOR SALE” sign was nailed on the frame building that had served as the Post Office in 1888 when the population was 300. When the site for the Post Office was being selected, Mr. Gus Urban agreed to move his residence from the site next to the village hall and to build the light brick building which housed the post office and several business places. The new Post Office at 4138 West Broadway had no formal dedication but 500 residents and Hennepin County farmers turned out to inspect the building and equipment. L. I. Nasett, Postmaster, acted as a guide to show the electric cancelling machines, automatic mail sorters, private boxes and steel writing tables. According to postal inspectors the equipment was the most modern of any second class office in the state.

927

 

 

 

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 water supply forced the fireman to form a bucket brigade. They only managed to save one plane. Four of the planes that burned up belonged to the head of the airport, Marvin Northrup. Repairs were completed in March.  In May, the airport hosted a high flying circus. The featured dare-devil Al Blackstone was renown for over 600 parachute jumps with no more damage than a few broken ribs, a shattered ankle and some broken teeth. The event was held to raise funds for the Minneapolis Municipal Auditorium organ. In October, Robbinsdale Flyer Gene Shank won the Minnesota State Air Derby in Grove City. Shank flew the 65 mile course in just under 47 minutes.

 

O.T. (Otto) Beaudoin, pictured here with Frank Dillenberg in 1937, was born in Quebec in 1871. He came to Robbinsdale in 1927. Beaudoin operated two barbershops in town and was in business for over thirty years. The Beaudoin Building on West Broadway still has his name etched in concrete above its brick facade. His granddaughter Betty Ruff was named Miss Robbinsdale in 1945.

 

In February the city of Tampa, Florida banned Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang magazine. The Chief of Police, D.B. York said the magazine was too smutty and would be barred from newsstands in the city.

 

 

In July, Robbinsdale voters rejected annexation to Minneapolis. Proponents lost by 92 ballots. 1368 votes were cast. 759 were for annexation and 603 were against. Five eighths of the total votes cast or 851 votes were required to carry the proposal.

 

Edward Duebner won the Witt’s Market fishing contest when he brought in a 5 pound, 20 inch, Black Bass.

 

A request from the Robbinsdale Village Council for a lower trolley fare to Minneapolis was defeated when the Minnesota Attorney General notified the council that he had no authority to adjust the rates. The rate between Robbinsdale and the Minneapolis Loop was 11 cents.

 

In December former Robbinsdale Mayor, Henry Uglem was sentenced to a term of 1-10 years at the state prison in Stillwater. He was found guilty by jury for the embezzling at least $4,000 dollars from Richard Winsett when Uglem was the manager of the Broadway Holding Company.

 

1928

 

Mathew (Matt) Spurzem was elected Constable. He was appointed to the

Police Department in 1930 and became Chief in 1945, until his retirement in 1966. His assistants in the early days were John (Jack) Bloberger and Fred Rosenow. Spurzem  organized of the School Patrol here in Robbinsdale. The big task in these early days, besides serving legal papers, was stopping bootlegging. A couple of stills in Robbinsdale were knocked down and Chief Spurzem was nearly shot in 1931 by a famous bootlegger, Ed Jennings. Jennings was caught by Spurzem and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

 

On May 1st,  a group of civic minded women met at the home of Mrs. Rollin Dutton to form the Woman’s Club of Robbinsdale. Mrs. Dutton was the first president. Mrs. Bertha Smith Nelson recalls one family with a disabled husband (confined to bed) where members spent several weeks cleaning, painting, wallpapering and helping make the home more comfortable.

 

In November, Fawcett Publications launched Modern Mechanics and Inventions. The magazine, later renamed Mechnix Illustrated, began as a memo from Captain Billy directing that steps be taken to create an outstanding magazine in its field. The first man Fawcett Publications hired was  naval architect and amateur flyer, Weston Farmer. The main cover line on the first issue was How to Build and Fly Your Own Airplane. Later issues featured a series of build-your-own-plane articles. The magazine’s writers and editors were frequent visitors to the Robbinsdale Airport and Gene Shank’s flying school just a mile up the road from the Fawcett Publishing office. The field was used used by many of Minnesota’s pioneer air-mail pilots. Shank sold flying lessons, joy rides and dabbled in aircraft construction. Behind one hanger he kept a Waco biplane and a World War I Jenny to demonstrate how far design had come. Shank was famous for aerial acrobatics. He made headlines and grabbed a  world’s record when he managed 569 consecutive loop-the-loops.  Robbinsdale’s famous flyer was one of Farmer’s first recruits to write for the new publication. Shanks wrote a series of flying lessons that were later published as a flying manual at the low, low price of one dollar. The first issue of Modern Mechanics also included part one of the Edgar Rice Burroughs science-fiction story, Conquest of the Moon.

 

 

 

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. Bergland, Mrs. C. W. Carter, Mrs. David Huston, Mrs. Ross Hazzard, Mrs. William Saunders and Mrs. E. N. Russ. Household hints in the Library Club cook book included “How to check your ice weight: in inches, the height x the width x thickness, divide the product by 30. Result is the weight in pounds. Stale bread if cut in slices, then laid together again, folded in a dampened napkin, slipped into a paper bag and laid in a hot oven for 15 minutes will come out like fresh bread. Where varnish has turned white, rub with alcohol and then with boiled linseed oil. Estimates of coffee for 100 women—three pounds; for 100 men— four pounds. To aid in whipping cream, add a drop of glycerine. The white of an egg dropped in lemonade is good for sick folks. Mud stains on black clothes—rub with a piece of raw potato.”

 

An indication of active local businesses as are the advertisements in the cook book which include:

 

Standard Oil Company—H. K. Quarve

 

Elmquist Shoe Store—next to Village Hall (on Broadway)

 

Wagner’s Cafe—4168 West Broadway

 

Plumbing—sewer, water and cesspool connections

 

Thomas J. Curry-394 7 Zane

 

Braun’s Bakery—4207 Webber Parkway

 

Insurance, all kinds at reduced rates—A. W. Landahl

 

Compliments of Mayor William G. Kranz

 

Dentist—Dr. W. L. Devaney, 4126 West Broadway

 

Dentist—Dr. H. J. Humble, Wiklund Building Dr. E J. Lillehei—4109 West Broadway, Wiklund Building

 

Robbinsdale Grocery—Frank Gfroerer—for better foods delivered to your kitchen

 

The cook book was so popular it was reprinted a few years later with the committee consisting of Mrs. L. A. Bratager, Mrs. Carl Jones, Mrs. G. H. Johnson, Mrs. Scott Wetzel and Mrs. J. S. Russ. The introduction included a recipe: “How to Preserve a Husband”

 

“Be careful in your selection. Do not choose too young. When once selected, give your entire thoughts to preparation for domestic use. Some insist upon keeping them in a pickle, others are constantly getting them into hot water. This may make them sour, hard and sometimes bitter; even poor varieties may be made sweet, tender and good by garnishing them with patience, well sweetened with love and seasoned with kisses. Wrap them in a mantle of charity. Keep warm with a steady fire of domestic devotion and serve with applesauce. Thus prepared, they will keep for years.”

 

 

In May, Gene Shank attempted to set an endurance by refueling his new monoplane, “Miss Ranger” in the air.  The attempt failed when a rope tied to a five gallon can of oil lowered from the supply plane became entangled and threw “Miss Ranger” into a tail spin. Shank managed to right the plane and regain altitude after it had fallen within 100 feet of the ground.  The plane stayed aloft of Minneapolis for 52 hours.

Amy Robbins Ware and the Tea House she ran with her sister Edith in the 1920’s

 

On May 6th, Amy Robbins Ware passed away due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Amy was born in 1877 in her uncle’s T.B. Walker’s  art-filled home in Minneapolis.She began studying violin at age 8 and went into architecture after graduating from East Minneapolis High School in 1896. She added a bachelor of science degree in 1901 and a masters in arts in 1907 from the University of Minnesota studying everything from wood carving to design, drama to archaeology.She married a lawyer named J.R. Ware in 1907. Amy’s father gave the young couple a choice parcel of land they called the Orchards. Amy served as a nurse in France and communications instructor at Fort Snelling during World War I. Upon her return to Robbinsdale she published a book about her experience called Echoes of France. In 1926  Amy gained notoriety and acclaim after she wrote a series of articles regarding the prevention of war and the establishment of a world court.  A bugler sounded taps and detachment of soldiers from Fort Snelling served as pallbearers at her funeral. Amy Robbins Ware is buried in the family plot in Lakewood Cemetery.

 

A carnival was held in June to raise money for Playground equipment. Over 2,000 people attended. Entertainments were provided in the form of songs by Joseph Belgard, a Chippewa Indian and University Minnesota Student and a concert by the Robbinsdale City Band led by W.F. Grennell.

 

 

On June 26th, Adelaide Walker Robbins, passed away in her home on Twin Lake. The sister of local lumber baron, T.B. Walker, Adelaide born in  Zenia, Ohio, in 1847. Her family moved Berea, Ohio 8 years later. in 1859, She entered Baldwin University at twelve. Two years later Adelaide volunteered as a nurse at Camp Chase and Tripler General Hospitals. She continued to serve until the end of the Civil War when she was granted “honorable discharge” by Dorothy Dix, chief of volunteer nurses. In 1855 Adelaide moved to St. Anthony, Minnesota and became a teacher at Marcy Elementary School. In 1869 she married Andrew B. Robbins and moved to Willmar where Mr. Robbins went to work with the Great Northern Railroad. The couple moved to St. Paul in the 1880’s. In 1890 the family finally settled  on the estate which Mr. Robbins platted on the west side of Twin Lake. In Robbinsdale they built many houses and planted carloads of trees. After Andrew Robbins died June 16, 1910. Mrs. Robbins worked with her daughters to maintain the family business and they continued platting and building houses . She stayed active in her later years as a member of College Woman’s club, Women’s Relief Corps, D. A. R.,  the Tourist club and the National Civic War Nurse association.

Looking West on 42nd in 1929. The building in the center is the old Nasset General Store. The first post office in Robbinsdale operated out of this store for over 20 years. The building was torn down in the 1960’s. The two buildings beyond it were demolished in 2017 to make way for a funeral home parking lot.

 

In December Robbinsdale voters turned down another Minneapolis Annexation scheme. Although the majority supported the merger the vote failed to gain the five-eighths necessary for consent.

 

930

 

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 PWA (Public Works Administration), Highway construction, our Senior High School, our own wells for water, a lot of “helpfulness to others” and the beginning of the draft as World War II was just around the comer. Also, Robbinsdale became a “City.”

 

Under the WPA program, Robbinsdale began building sanitary sewers.

 

Clay tile sections two feet long (which one man could carry) were used, which over the years permitted many entrances for the roots of trees, thus causing clogging and breaking. A continuous program of replacement by iron pipe will go on for years. The manholes were built with bricks and are still in good condition. (WD)

History repeated itself in Robbinsdale. On Saturday, April 19th and for the second time in seven years a bandit was hot and fatally wounded after holding up the State Security Bank. From Left to right among the headlines above are, Patrolman John Bloberger Jr., of the Robbinsdale Police Force, who shot the bandit; Ted Haight, bank janitor, who ran to tell Bloberger of the hold up and L. Chouinard , 1094 13th Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, assistant cashier at the bank who made a clever escape from the bank to bring help.

 

In the early 1930’s there was a beautiful Rock Garden Ball Room, south of Wuollet’s Bakery, which featured “big bands.” After a few years, it became a bowling alley and in 1941 it burned to the ground. Fire Chief Howard Hommes said the whole building was ablaze before the fire was discovered, around 11 p.m., even though it was so close to the fire station. Hommes served on the Fire Department for 35 years.

 

931

 

 

 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars organized a post here on March 28, 1931, with 60 charter members. George Donalds was the first Commander, followed by H. P. Billmyre, Joseph Smith, W. R. Ambrose. An Auxiliary to Post 494 was formed June 24, 1931, with 19 members. It was called the Hugo Hartig Post, in honor of Dr. Hugo Hartig who was State Commander of the V. F. W. organization at the time of his death in 1925.

 

Mrs. R P. Billmyre was first Auxiliary President. Both Post and Aux. iliary are active, patriotic organizations, with a program designed to promote better care for the disabled veterans, their children, and good fellowship among the members.

 

About this” time, there was a lot of digging for gold north of Crystal Lake Hill, where Highway 52 runs today. Someone had planted “fool’s gold” there to entice people into buying stock in his company, implying that this was the tip of a large vein.

 

By 1931, the business group was called the Robbinsdale Business Men’s

Association and Frank Gfroerer was president. He owned the Robbinsdale Grocery which he had purchased in 1920 from Irwin Russ and Allan MacDonald.

Frank Gfroerer’s Robbinsdale Grocery on West Broadway

 

Perhaps a good description of the “helpfulness to others” spirit during the depression years was described by George Christensen of the American Legion describing the Post’s activities. The Post served as the clearing house for the unemployed. The men were sent out on community clean-up jobs, clearing snow from skating rinks, school playgrounds and village sidewalks, and pulling weeds and clearing vacant lots for gardens. The Post put up $1,500 with $1,000 from the Village, 50 men were given two months’ work turning the south shore of Crystal Lake into a park. From various fundraisers, they took care of 150 families in need from October until March when the funds ran out.

 

In 1932, four money raising pancake breakfasts were held at Schaefer’s Grove near Twin Lake. “”Chef “”Raleigh Torrey and his crew served bacon, sausages, eggs and pancakes for “four bits” . You had to bring your own utensils. This helped raise money for other projects.

 

The beginning of the eleven-mile Belt Line was planned and would be completed in 1935 with the additional stretch in Robbinsdale opened two years later. The concept of the highway belonged to highway engineer, Carl Frederick , a one-legged German engineer who came to the United States during World War I to avoid the draft. He was familiar with Germany’s fabled Autobahns and wanted a “belt line” to circle Minneapolis to facilitate north-south traffic. He prevailed upon Governor Olson directly for a half million dollars of WPA money and supervised the work. Highway engineer Bill Crawford said, “Because of Graeser’s early design_its width, its interchanges—we have been able to convert Highway 100 to a freeway with minimum expenditure.” The lilacs that were removed for the roadbed were replanted along the sides and the new belt line became known as Lilac Way. Graeser, who lived at 4225 Unity Avenue North, also wanted large, grassy parks by the road and according to an assistant L. P. Pederson, Graeser supervised the building of Graeser Park  in Robbinsdale in 1936. The stone for tables and benches came from a quarry south of the Mendota Bridge  1939-1940 Highway 100 was extended across Twin Lake.

 

 

 

 

Gas lines started coming into the village and Gus Urban was the first homeowner to install gas for heating. His home, built in 1906 had been moved to 4137 Lakeland. By 1931, many homes were connecting to the sewer system. “The only public place for which a sewer connection permit has been issued is the Sacred Heart School. George Nash will do that work.”

 

In December, Robbinsdale turned down another proposal for annexation to the city of Minneapolis. It was the seventh time in as many years that supporters of annexation had failed to muster the necessary votes.

1932

 

On April 21 the Library Club planted a Memorial Elm at the Library in commemoration of 200 years since George Washington’s birth. Ernest P. Sheffield donated the tree and attended to the planting. A record of the planting and a copy of the Club program was sealed in a bottle and put in the roots of the tree. The program included an Invocation by Mrs. J. S. Russ and an address “Trees” by Mrs. H. M. Adams. It is unknown now which tree it was as several have been removed.

 

In 1929, a rerouting of Jefferson Highway, for five miles through Robbinsdale and Crystal was proposed. It would eliminate three dangerous railroad crossings, lessen the traffic in the business district and avoid the streetcar tracks by skirting the west shore of Crystal Lake. Construction didn’t start until 1932. Much fill was needed to fill the swampy area left by the receding Crystal Lake. It became State Highway 52 in 1934. In 1942, a fantastic traffic circle was built just east of the hospital with at least seven entrances and exits. In 1958, Highway 52 was upgraded to four lanes.

Allan and Agnes Julia MacDonald bought the Elwood Hotel on Hubbard and 41st Avenue, furnishing board and room. They owned it for 25 years selling it, in 1957, to Sacred Heart Church. To make room for the new church, the hotel was moved across the street where it still stands. The church kept it as a rooming house until 1973, when Donald M. “Mike” and Cora Noonan bought it and changed the name to Robin Hotel, It still serves as a rooming house for long-term renters.

 

Willard Billmyre and Lloyd Shea returned from two years of service in the U.S. Army, most of it in Honolulu in the 64th Coast Artillery.

 

At the election. December 6, 1932, annexation to Minneapolis was defeated for the eighth time. T. A. MacKensie, former Trustee, was elected president of the Village Council, winning over Clyde F. Burfeind, Oscar E. Dahl, former Recorder”, was elected Trustee; Clinton F. Wilson, former Village Manager, was elected Recorder; Clyde F. Jansen was elected Constable; C.~E. Whitney, Justice of the Peace; and Lars Nasett, Assessor.

 

The Hennepïn County Enterprise carrying suburban news was published in Robbinsdale.’ Subscription rate—$2 per year. It was located at west of  the Nasett Store on 42nd. John L. Suel was secretary- treasurer.

 

A Christmas Party was held by the Westphal Post and Auxiliary at Robbinsdale Jr. High School. A men’s quartet  included Dr. Henry Hartig, Ed Schuler, Arthur J. Larson, and Arleigh E. Prince. The guys accompanied by Mrs. Howard W. Anderson, were  the”main”attraction. Dr. Hartig was president of the Robbinsdale Board of Education at this time.

1933

 

In February two Robbinsdale families had to find emergency shelter with friends after a fire of mysterious origin destroyed their two-story framed house on Fairview Avenue near Twin Lake.

 

A Dog Derby for boys and girls sponsored by the Minneapolis Tribune and held under the auspices of Westphal American Legion on a three-quarter-mile course around Crystal Lake attracted young mushers from Minneapolis, Golden Valley and other rural communities.

 

In May, Robbinsdale rejected plans for an Artesian water plant submitted by Suburban Waterworks Inc. The proposal called the purchase of water from the company and the sale of the plant to the village at any time.

 

Lucille Jewett won the gold medal in a shorthand speed test at Humbolt College where she was completing a course in court reporting. A five minute Congreesional Record speech was dictated at the rate of 175 words per minute which she transcribed with an accuracy percentage of 97 percent.

 

In July, former mayor and meat market owner, Gus J. Urban passed away. Urban was the originator the Robbinsdale Fire Department. He was born in Germany and lived in Robbinsdale for 44 years. After he sold the meat market Urban went into real estate. Gus loved to go fishing at his cabin near Brainerd. Urban Point Road on Cass Lake is named for him.

 

 

John L. Suel, editor of the Hennepin County Enterprise newspapers became the acting postmaster of Robbinsdale. He succeeded L. J. Nasett. Suel was the secretary of the North Hennepin Democratic club. Prior to coming to Robbinsdale he was associated with his brothers in the New Prague Times newspaper.

 

Robbinsdale passed and published a brand new liquor control law shortly after the state liquor control law wet into effect. Unfortunately a joker appeared in Minnesota law which provided that a village voted dry in a previous election would have to remain dry. The last election on the issue it appeared harked away back before prohibition. The new liquor law had to wait until the next regular election the following year.

 

A Roosevelt Ball organized by Leo. J. Ambrose and L.P. McCarthy was sponsored by the Robbinsdale Business Men’s, Club, Literary Club, Women’s Club, P.T.A. and the Robbinsdale Village Council was held at the Rock Garden ball room at 10:15pm on January 30th. In addition to the dancing there was a floor show and a broadcast of a talk by President Roosevelt over a nationwide radio hookup.   Roosevelt Birthday Balls were held across the land.

 

Robbinsdale teacher, Neola Sackreiter, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Sackreiter of 4011 Perry Avenue North traveled 25,000 miles and worked as a teacher at Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Sackreiter had spent her vacations from school in various remote parts of South America. She was one of three American women to travel the Parana River and reach Iguassu Falls unescorted. Another journey took her 8,000 miles along the Amazon to Manaos and up the Paraguay River into the Matto Grosso wilderness.

1935

On October 2, nearly the whole town took time to stop to greet Mrs. Olive S. Newell at 4414 West Broadway on her 93rd birthday. She was born in 1842 and married Oliver W. Newell shortly after the Civil War. She was a charter member of the Congregational Church and had been an active leader for many years. Her husband was the first Sunday School Superintendent. She died in 1937.

 

William Kranz became Mayor for four years. During his term, Robbinsdale got its first well for water. Kranz was a contractor and helped build the original American Legion Club. He also served as Commander of the Post. He had moved to Robbinsdale in 1919.

1936

 

It had long been the dream of many citizens to have a high school in the village, but conditions had never seemed right until 1935 when the Federal Government, under its PWA program, added $122,000 (increasing it finally to $135,000) to the $124,000 voted by the taxpayers. Ground was broken in March, 1936, and the building was completed so that classes started September 11. Two homes had been removed and the new high school was built 30 feet from Parker School. The building was dedicated with impressive ceremonies on May 19, 1937. Comments during the years that followed proved the wisdom of the investment, called by many the “best investment Robbinsdale ever made.” The School Board which guided this project to completion included: Dr. Henry E. Hartig, Chairman; Mrs. Edith Robbins Daniel, Clerk; A. E. Prince, Treasurer; Dr. F. P. Hosterman, William Cavanagh, and Dr, R. C. Rawson, Board members. Superintendent E. J. Cooper has given much to District 24 (now 281) by his energetic direction from the fall of 1930 to his retirement in 1965. He recalls the years in the 1950’s and 1960’s when the school enrollment increased 1500 a year—needing a new school every year—or as he put it, “a new classroom every week.” After his retirement, Cooper served on the Hennepin County Library

Board for ten years, supervising the building of the Rockford Road Library. He also served as Commander of the Legion Post 251 and of the Tenth District.

The construction of Robbinsdale High School began in March 1936. The school board that guided the project to completion included Henry Hartig, Edith Robbins Daniel, A.E. Prince, F.P. Hosterman, William Cavanagh and R.C. Rawson. The superintendent was E.J. Cooper. The board is pictured here looking on as Hartig installs a time capsule into the wall of the new school.

 

On June 6, 1936, Mrs. Clarence W. Carter held a tea at which Merle Potter, columnist for the Minneapolis Journal, was the speaker. Mrs. Carter was active in Crippled Child Relief, Inc., and chairman of the better movies committee of the Federated Women’s Club. She later (1967) wrote a book, “Memoirs of an Inventor’s Wife.” C. W. Carter in 1938 had received the Pioneers Award from the National Association of Manufacturers for his inventions in the milling industry.

 

 

Robbinsdale had its first annual “Good Will” Day celebration with a parade and other festivities. Planners included William J. Mueller, Willard Randall, Frank Hollsten, H. P. Billmyre, William Ambrose, Jess Anderson. Tom Howard, Hess Linderholm Ivan Wagner James Lowe, and Harvey Davis. This celebration became Whiz Bang Days in 1967 and continues each July. The Whiz Bang Committee, chaired in 1982 by Daniel Delmore, raises money for the fireworks in various ways, by collecting parking fees, operating refreshment stands and by selling tickets for prizes.

 

 

 

At the Hennepin County Historical Society, a booklet published by the  Memorial Day Association, W. R. Ambrose, Chairman, lists veterans in the Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery. In their memory we list them here:

 

Angell, Apheus 0.

 

Breckons, Thomas L.

 

Crandall, Leroy M.

 

Cook, Leo J.

 

Getchell, Alvah

 

Goodale, H. I.

 

Green, Clark T.

 

Hawkins, Adley

 

Hawkins, Albert

 

Jaques, Edward K.

 

Jaques, Richard

 

War of 1812

 

Smith, Nathaniel

 

Civil War Veterans

 

Jaques, Winter

 

Kirkwood, Thomas

 

Malbon, D. R.

 

McCausland, Andrew

 

McDonnell, Conrad

 

McDonnell, James

 

Merritt, Gilbert F.

 

Merritt,  Levi W.

 

Newell, Oliver W.

 

Parker,Israel

 

Powers, Joseph

 

Rathbun, Eber M.

 

Roth, LaSalle C.

 

Russ, Nathan P.

 

Shumway, J. P.

 

Smith, George H.

 

Stillman, Horatio R.

 

Turrell, Daniel A.

 

Wattson, John

 

Wales, Samuuel S.

 

Johnston, Alien G. Kuch, Walter

 

World War I

 

Lindberg, Elmer A.

 

Wagner, Arthur H.

 

1937

 

On Memorial Day the Robbinsdale Concert Band paraded in the services at the flagpole on Victory Memorial Drive and in the parade on Nicollet Avenue in new uniforms made as a WPA sewing project. C. I. Hegg was the director.

 

Herman Oliver (H. 0.) (Sonny) Sonneyson came from Duluth to become editor of the Hennepin County Enterprise newspaper. The job of editor then was to write all of the news, solicit advertising, assist with make-up on Wednesday nights and on Thursday wrap the papers that went out of the city.

 

1938. E. Westmoreland purchased the plant at 4718 – 42nd Avenue from John L. Suel. Westmoreland changed the name to the Robbinsdale Post on December 8, 1938. Financial problems arose and Sonneyson went to Ironwood, Michigan, for five years. Meanwhile Paul Richter (later to become City Assessor), James Barclay and Associates bought the paper in 1943. Sonneyson returned as editor in 1945. Five years later the name was changed to the North Hennepin Post.

 

n May, the Robbinsdale Village council wrote an ordinance to restrict trailer homes. Mobile homes were to be restricted to parks with 24 hour attendants and monthly fees at any trailer park to be established.

 

Robbinsdale High School made an auspicious debut in Lake District Football by handing Wayzata a 14-0 trimming on the home gridiron. Ray Yates tallied the team’s first touch down when he intercepted a pass and sprinted 45 yards to the goal line.

 

In December, a new 628 foot well was used to pump water into Crystal Lake. The well initially provided the lake with  1,100 gallon per minute. Deep well diesel pumps were installed the following year and water flowed into the ailing lake until the water levels were roughly normal. The following year water from the new well  was rerouted to the city’s new water system and tower.

1938

 

Many complaints had been received by the Council about the water quality (which was being obtained from Minneapolis) so the Village purchased land from Mrs. Edith Robbins Daniel for $18,000 on July 12, 1937, at 41st and Hubbard. Mass meetings were held and on August 14, 1936, the Village Council (Oscar Johnson, Hess Linderholm, Wm. Ambrose, Charles Wallace and William Kranz) voted unanimously to install a well and water tank. Work began on October 18,1937.

 

On August 27 and 28, the new and first Water Tower was dedicated in conjunction with the second annual Good Will Day celebration, which included a Kangaroo Court, Fifty Vaudeville Acts, a Diamondball game, water fights between Fire Departments from Columbia Heights, Osseo, Anoka, Excelsior and Robbinsdale. The Goodwill Parade featured bands and floats. Marshalls ineluded G Timrner, Walter Sipe, Adolph Jullie Howard Hommes, Leo Brandt and Charles Wallace. It was sponsored by the Robbinsdale Volunteer “Fire Department. As Robbinsdale developed, another well was needed. In 1943, the War Production Board granted permission for another well near North Memorial Hospital, now called Well No. 3. In 1945, Well No. 2 was dug next to Well No. 1 near the first Water Tower. Because of burgeoning population after World War II, a fourth well was drilled at 38th and Scott in 1954, and another at Drew and Lowry in 1956. A second Water Tower (500,000-gallon capacity) was completed in 1957 and numerous dead-end mains were looped. This second Water Tower was needed, not only to supply more water to the southern part of Robbinsdale, but to improve water pressure.

 

 

A charter commission had been at work for a long time drawing up a

Charter for the village. On November 7, 1938, the vote to change from a village to a City was carried. On December 8, 1938, at 8:00 p.m. the new charter was officially adopted and the City of Robbinsdale was born. During the forty-five years of its history as a village, Robbinsdale was served by many presidents of the village boards; from the days of A. B. Robbins in 1893, to William G. Kranz in 1938, the last to serve. Now the title is Mayor. Besides these two, the following have served: T. H. Girling, John W. Hayes, E. Kirkwood, Gus Urban, Henry Scott, Fred Webb, Charles Schuller, George 0. Johnson, A. W. Hawkins, W. H. Johnson, William Saunders, T. P. Howard, Henry Uglem, Hervey Morse, Willard Randall, Clyde Burfeind and T. A. MacKenzie. Robbinsdale became a City at special exercises at City Hall that evening. Alderman William R. Ambrose arranged the program that marked the death of the old Village and birth of a new City. Election of new city officers was scheduled for the following Tuesday, December 13, 1938. J. W. Roche became the first Mayor of the City of Robbinsdale. The officers at the turning point from Village to City were William G. Kranz, President; W. R. Ambrose, J. E. Anderson, G. H. [Don] Johnson, and Hess Linderholm, Trustees; Charles 0. Wallace, Clerk; and J. M. Kudrna, Treasurer. Other officials included Justices of the Peace, Victor Hanson and H. P. Billmyre; and police officers, Matt Spurzem, Fred Rosenow, and John Bloberger, Jr. John Bloberger, Sr. was Fire Marshall.  The September 30, 1938, Minneapolis Tribune reported the City Council on September 19 had approved the new Home Rule Charter as presented by Ralph F. Peterson, chairman of the Charter Commission. Thus, the Village Council President became known as the Mayor and Trustees, as AIdermen.

 

The Robin Theatre was remodeled under the management of Clyde Cutter and Paul Manns. A new canopy and large electric sign were erected. New restrooms for men and women and a new ticket office were listed as other improvements.  December 2, 9, and 16 the Robin Theater presented its first cooking school, conducted by Miss Anne Louise Olson of the Spry Research Kitchens. Many prizes were given: three jars of cold cream by Muellers Pharmacy, one ton black-onyx coal by Howard Lumber, six-month’s pass from Robin Theater, three pair ladies hose (silk in those days.—Ed.) from Elmquist Shoe Store, fifteen bags of groceries by Clasen Grocery, and Excell Cooker by Sessing Hardware Company, three merchandise prizes from Braun’s Bakery, and a G.E. Electric roaster Schuller’s Shoes. Admission was 20 cents.

The Robbinsdale Lions Club was organized February 28, 1939, with 24 charter members. The first officers included Donald Ruble, president, H. Elmer Westmoreland, Jim Lowe, Arthur Starbird, Orvold Boyum, E. J. Cooper, Ivan Wagner, Clyde Cutter, Thomas Howard, Dick Ude, and John Ellis.

 

One early accomplishment was the erecting of the flagpole on Highway 52 which was dedicated on November 11, 1939. Al Bossert was the contractor, the cost was $500. It is 50 feet high and has a six-foot Kasota stone base. Another project was the establishment of Lions Park on lower Twin Lake at Highways 100 and 52, equipping it with tables and fireplaces.

 

 

The Lions Club is a service oriented organization and by many money raising events has, over the years, helped the community in many ways glasses for needy school children, toy projects at Christmas, support of the eye bank, collection of 16 tons of clothing during and after World_War II for the needy overseas, sweat shirts for a soft-ball team, flags for the flagpole on Highway 52, a braille typewriter for a blind girl, flags presented to each school building, sponsored athletic teams for youth to name but a few projects. During World War II the Lions Club helped give the “boys” a send-off with coffee and doughnuts, participated in War Bond drives and erected an Honor Roll Service Board on West Broadway with names of all service men with a blue star, replacing the blue with gold if the service man died in action.

 

 

A July Robbinsdale Post issue reported that there were “180 husbands of families laid out of work due to the national W. P. A. strike. The W. P. A. had been started as an emergency measure and striking seemed to not be sound reasoning.”

 

In September, the American Legion had its fourth annual breakfast and turkey shoot at the North Minneapolis Gun Club, one-half mile north of Robbinsdale on Highway 52. Shooting offered included fa-ap, skeet, rifle and archery. “You do not have to be a shooter to win a turkey” the advertisement said as prizes also went to the worst shooters. This “shoot” had been originated by Commander James F. Lowe.

 

Also in September, Bertha and Ruth Trump were on a trip to Europe on a German ocean liner when hostilities broke out. They were taken to the neutral port of Rotterdam and returned home.

 

In October, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Dutton, 4130 Quail Avenue, celebrated their

60th wedding anniversary. They were really pioneers. Mr. Dutton’s father, Josiah, came from Vermont and started a farm at Bass Lake Road and Jefferson Highway in 1853, during the days when the Sioux and the Chippewa Indians were at war. He donated land for this area’s first church, the Little White in Crystal. Several Robbinsdale families attended this church until the organization of the First Congregational Church in 1889. J. V. Dutton married Eva Robinson, daughter of the pastor at the church.

 

1n the December 5 election, voters approved a primary election for local officials to be on the same date as the state primary. The four precincts were to become wards and lines were to be redrawn, giving 600 voters to each ward.

 

Wally Moore, 40th and Lakeland, was awarded first prize in the Christmas outdoor lighting contest sponsored by the Woman’s Club. Frank Hollsten and Les Thieland won 2nd and 3rd. Except during World War II, we’ve always enjoyed the outdoor lighting. Some homes were fantastically decorated until the 1973 OPEC oil crises and conserving electricity has become a way of life.

1940

 

Census: 6,018 (a 36% increase since 1930)

 

The decade of the “forties” will never be forgotten because of World War II. Local events included the opening of a hospital in Robbinsdale, registration of voters, municipal liquor, new clubs such as the Diggers and Jaycees and the opening of Lee Elementary School.

 

In January, the new Victory Hospital was opened, a marble laced, three story building. It was built by Dr. S. Samuelson and was the first hospital in our area. It would have five operating rooms and seventy beds when completed and was an open-staff hospital.

 

Also in January, John Bloberger, who had been born in Austria and had come to Robbinsdale in 1894 to work for the Great Northern Railroad, died at age 77. He had been village constable (shooting one of the bank robbers), street commissioner, chief of Police, one of the organizers of the Robbinsdale Volunteer Fire Department, and a friend of Captain Billy often made some teasing reference to him in his Whiz Bang magazine.

 

On February 7, 1940 Captain Billy died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California. A few weeks before his death his children and their mother joined him for a family reunion. Newspapers marked the publishing giant’s passing on front pages. Funeral services were held in Minneapolis and Captain Billy was buried in Lakewood Cemetery next to his brother, Roscoe Fawcett. He was 55 years old.

 

In Afternoons in Mid-America, Erskine Caldwell wrote, “It’s a rare thing for a dynamo of a man like Captain Billy Fawcett to leave behind a world so full of friends when he dies and so few–if any–detractors.” Caldwell went on to speculate that Captain Billy might have accumulated a few enemies had he lived out all the years a man like him was entitled to.

 

A 1940 paper said it had been 19 years since Haakon Christensen had shod a horse. He had turned to repairing the City’s machinery and manufacturing parts for City equipment.

 

On April 10, the second annual meeting of the Hennepin County Historical Society was held here at the Congregational Church. The banquet was sponsored by the Lions Club. Governor Harold Stassen was the main speaker. J. Donald Ruble, first president of the Lions Club, welcomed the guests and W. R. Ambrose introduced honored guests, including H. E. Westmoreland, publisher of the RobbinsdaJe Post and president-elect of the Lions Club. The Robbinsdale City Band, under the direction of Paul Larson, played before the program.

 

The May 16th RobbinsdaJe Post reported the City Council, under Mayor Roche, passed an ordinance for the registration of voters to conform with state laws and set up a Commissioner of Registration to keep records and supervise elections. In the 1970’s the previously very “loose” voting procedures in school board elections were required to conform and use the voting lists of the municipalities.

Afternoon temperatures on November 9th, 1940 soared into the 60s. Less than 24 hours later, an intense low pressure system had tracked from the southern plains northeastward into western Wisconsin. The system pulled Gulf of Mexico moisture up from the south and brought down a cold arctic air mass from the north. The Armistice Day Blizzard brought over 16 inches of snow to downtown Robbinsdale and crippled transportation throughout the region.

 

On Armistice Day a blizzard, with 16.2 inches of snow and wind of 30 to 60 miles per hour, closed down all activities. People could not get to work, the streetcars couldn’t run, and people who were at work couldn’t get home. Many had to work an extra shift. They then, of course, got an extra day off, called “Snow Day”. The City Hall sheltered some, about 20 stayed over night in the Schwartz Motor Company garage and many homes offered overnight stays. People will always remember this blizzard because it hit so suddenly with a sudden drop in temperature. In Minnesota 59 people died, including many hunters in shirt sleeves and light jackets who froze in their duck blinds.

 

1941

 

On January 8th, a fire causing $50,000 in damage to several business places, was started by the water heater in the bowling alley at 4123 West Broadway. Completely destroyed buildings included the bowling alley, Levine’s Ice Cream Parlor, Glint Wilson real estate office, and Lawrence Olson’s barber shop. Damaged buildings included Schuller Brothers’ appliance store, Sessing hardware store, Town Toggery and the National Tea Company at 4107-9 West Broadway.

The fire at Howard Lumber

 

On Sunday, May 4, a fire at the Howard Lumber Yard, which Mr. Howard had bought in 1913, did $30,000 damage. Two horses were housed there and burned to death and a fireman, Walter Sipe, sprained his ankle. Sipe served on the fire department for 26 years, 1926-1962. Peter Kimball, a teamster for the lumber yard, often gave children a ride on the lumber wagon and they loved the horses. The fire was so bad that Minneapolis sent out two pumpers.

 

One news item said there were so many fires in the business district in the early days because the steam locomotives pulling passenger trains showered the business district with cinders. Some were, of course, caused by the heating equipment of those days.

 

on August 4th, 12,000 people attended a Robbinsdale Goodwill Days parade and waterball contest. The Osseo Fire Department won the waterball prize for the @nd year in a row. Proceeeds went to raise money for the Robbinsdale Fireman’s Relief Association.

 

Robbinsdale High School became a sports power house in the 1940’s. One of the school’s first sports stars,  Vern Gagne excelled in football, baseball, boxing and wrestling. Gagne won district, regional and state championships in high school wrestling, as well as being named to the All-State Football Team. Gagne went on to become a professional wrestler, promoter and  16-time American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion.

This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett. A view of the Howard Lumber fire from West Broadway just north of 42nd is featured at the top of the post.

1942

 

The 40 fliers and 25 ground crew men and women of Robbinsdale’s Civil Air Patrol, part the Minnesota State Guard, completed a 230 hour ground school in basic and specialized training at the Robbinsdale Airport. The Robbinsdale squadron had 23 planes all 50-75 horsepower two-seater “cubs”. Their cruising speeds ranged from 80 to 90 miles per hour, but they could fly as fast as 100 and as slow as 60. The slower speed was of high value for scouting. Their ceilings averaged around 13,000 feet, but private pilots were restricted to altitudes below 3,500 unless they carried two-way radios. The fliers were all volunteer without compensation of any kind, they furnished their own planes, services, gas and oil. The Robbinsdale Airport closed after the war. It was located just north of town, where Welcome Park is today.

 

Eleven women met as a Red Cross nutrition class to learn how to feed their families under World War II shortages. Mrs. Richard (Georgia) Delaney was the first president and teacher of the class.

 

There was a national effort to promote Victory gardens to ease the food shortage. Mrs. L. A. (Agnes) Wright suggested the name “Diggers” and so the Diggers Garden Club was born in 1944, with Mrs. Delaney as president. Following World War II their attention shifted to flowers and beautification of the world around them, and The Diggers became affiliated with the Minnesota Horticulture Society. They also held their first flower show in the Library. Flower shows became an annual event and Digger entries in other shows have won many ribbons and awards.

 

In 1975 Orpha Kranz received the Silver Award from the Fifth District Garden Clubs for her dedication and work for civic improvement and environmental projects.

 

1943

 

Memories of World War II: rationing of certain foods (meat, sugar, and shortening) and gasoline; the huge scrap metal pile on Regent Avenue; eyeing members of the local draft board as if they were Gestapo agents; the billboard down town listing all GI’s with either a blue or gold (if deceased) star; envying the guy with four good tires; meatless Tuesdays; lack of cigarettes; ersatz candy bars; turning in bacon grease (but learning bacon grease made marvelous pie crusts); and learning to drink unsweetened coffee to save enough sugar for a cake. Local residents recruited as air raid wardens donned white helmets and arm bands as they made sure all lights were out when practice sirens sounded.

 

In June Sargent Albert John Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Smith, 3708 Regent Avenue North., was killed in action. Smith, a Robbinsdale High School Graduate was killed in  in North Africa. He entered the service with the national Guard in 1941.

 

Because they gave so much volunteer time to the war effort, the Draft Board and Ration Board members should be included here. Draft Board members from Robbinsdale included Victor Hanson, Harry St. Cyr, Sr., Jules Sessing, Rollie Forrey, Len Seaberg, and Ed Schuller. Those serving on the Ration Board included Georgette Boies, Dr. Clarence 0. Bergland, Jack Trump, Milo Mielke, Free Bayard, Thomas Curry, William Wolfe, Sr., and Sven Grundstrom. Clerks included Ada Dorn, Harriet Heath, secretary, and Angela Stinchfield, These people tried very hard to carry out their duties. One recalled getting a request for extra gasoline to haul away the rabbit droppings. When asked how many rabbits he had, the man replied, “six.”

In 1940, KSTP began a series of Saturday night broadcasts called the Sunset Valley Barn Dance”. The idea was to bring to listeners, young and old, true American folk music in its original form. The show was usually broadcast live from the Radio City Theater in down down Minneapolis. In 1943, the Sweet Valley Barn Dance came to Robbinsdale High School.

 

In October, the Minneapolis noted that Robbinsdale’s village blacksmith, Haakon Christensen had been on the job for 55 years. The papers praised Christensen for his necessary war work repairing agricultural implements for farmers. Christensen told the paper he quit shoeing horses in 1921 because the last one he shod kicked him up to the rafters splintering his elbow and cutting his face.

 

1944

 

In August, Mrs. Edith Robbins Daniel, daughter of A. B. Robbins for whom Robbinsdale was named, died at age 73 after having been hit by a car a month earlier. She had been the school board clerk for the past 24 years, She wrote poems for children and her last poem “Gold Stars,” written the evening after she stood before the Honor Roll in Robbinsdale and noted the many blue stars that had turned to gold, is worth recording:

 

“A story of sacrifice daily is told

By the stars of deep blue that are turning to gold.

The stars in Old Glory are shining more bright

Because of gold stars that reflect a new light.

These stars of bright gold that now shine through our tears

Shall shine in new glory all down through the years.”

 

Captain W. Mueller, a fighter pilot, died in action over France about this time.

 

1945

 

The U.S. Navy assigned the name “The Hollisters” to a 2,200 ton destroyer in honor of three gallant Robbinsdale brothers lost in World War II. Lyle Eugene Hollister, Radioman Second Class, served in the Sicilian, Italian and Salerno campaigns. In January 1944, he was reported missing in action when his ship, the Destroyer Plunkett was attacked by enemy aircraft during the Anzio Assault. Richard Jerome Hollister and William Howard Hollister enlisted and remained together during their short, heroic Naval career. In November 1943, their ship, the escort carrier, Liscombe Bay was torpedoed torpedoed and sunk in the Gilbert Islands. William died of wounds received in action and Richard was reported missing in action. The Hollisters was decommissioned and in 1979. Four years later the ship was transferred to  Taiwan and  renamed the Shao Yang.

 

Deer occasionally bound into metropolitan areas and on May 23, 1945, a 160-pound, four-point buck bounded into the open basement door of the Robbinsdale Pharmacy, 4139 West Broadway, owned by Morris W. Henney. Game Warden, Ben Cohen, and Robbinsdale policemen. Matt Spurzem and Adrian Mattson, came to the rescue but not before the deer had done $600 damage by crashing into medicine cabinets. After Cohen and Mattson dragged it outside and trussed it up, the deer was taken to Sheriff Earle Brown’s farm for doctoring and then to a game refuge.

On August 6, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and together with the bomb on Nagasaki, August 9, put an end to World War II and seventeen million military people came home in late 1945 and 1946. Naturally, a baby boom soon occurred and Robbinsdale also felt the effects in the building of schools to be mentioned later. But one can pause and wonder what the” effect was on these children as they were the first in history to grow up living with “The Bomb.”

1946

 

A May 9th copy of the Robbinsdale Post shows a picture of Mrs. Kate Howe, of one of the pioneer families, receiving the 6,000th chest X-ray in the survey being conducted in School District 24 (now 281). Survey Chairman, Mrs. J. Clifford Boies, said about 8,000 free chest X-rays were given while the mobile unit was “on location” in Robbinsdale.

 

The Security State Bank changed its name to First Robbinsdale State Bank. It was located at 4164 West Broadway until 1950. This was the former Fawcett Building. In the early 1980’s it was occupied by Carol’s Crafts. Helen Blodgett’s Robbinsdale Then and Now book describes the thick cement walls of the old safe that remained in the basement until the building.

 

In May, Henry Ulgem was forced to  resign as mayor because he transferred his residence to 1815 Morgan Avenue North in Minneapolis. Hess Linderholm was named mayor after the city’s charter commission backed by an opinion from the city attorney demanded the city council declare the mayor’s office vacant.  Linderholm had been an Alderman for at least 14 years. Ulgem fought the decision but his change of residence disqualified him. He had been Village President before Robbinsdale incorporated as a city three times and was elected as mayor in 1944.

 

The news of the poliomylitis epidemic dominated the front pages of the Robbinsdaie Post. By August 8, Dr. E. J. Lillehei had reported nine victims’ in Robbinsdale, with one death. The Minnesota total by then was 740, approaching other peak years of 1910, 1917, 1925, and 1931. By September 5, there were 18 cases in Robbinsdale and school opening was postponed until September 16.

 

 

On November 11, 1946, the Lions Club International of Robbinsdale added a plaque to the flagpole on Highway 52. “Dedicated to these men who gave their lives in World War II.”  The flag pole has since been removed, but we list them here because they should not be forgotten—they gave their country so much:

 

Earl Ammerman, John B. Augst ,Lester W. Bucholtz, William J. Dover, Claire R. Dygert, Virgil D. Erickson, James H. Hallman, John H. Hartig, Donald M. Hogan, Lyle Hollister, Richard J. Hollister, William H. Hollister, Morris T. Johnson, Elmer L. Klatwitter, Charles R. Knaeble, John L. Kuch, William J. Mueller, Paige R. Mumford,

1. Madison McBride, William R. Nelson, Mahlon F. Paulson, Frederick H. Robinson, Albert J. Smith, Glenn C. Stoffel, Robert W. Taylor, Chester H. Tucker, James E. Tucker, Jerome H. Wallace, Victor C. Willie.

 

The news of the poliomylitis epidemic dominated the front pages of the Robbinsdaie Post. By August 8, Dr. E. J. Lillehei had reported nine victims in Robbinsdale, with one death. The Minnesota total by then was 740, approaching other peak years of 1910, 1917, 1925, and 1931. By September 5, there were 18 cases m Robbinsdale and school opening was postponed until September 16. The first effective polio vaccine was developed in 1952.

1947

 

The August 20th edition of the Robbînsdale Post reported that the Robbinsdale City Band won the Minnesota State Fair Championship for the third time in a row under Paul Larson, director, and Léon Chelmosky, drillmaster. Paul Larson was the bands director from 1938 to 1942 and again in 1946 and 1947. Dr. Frank Simon, formerly a solo cornetist under John Phillip Sousa described the bands performance, “The music, marching and showmanship of this band is superb. Of all the bands I have listened to and judged, I have never come across a band that is, as a unit, so nearly perfect. …I couldn’t have seen and heard a better show if I had gone to New York or Radio City. It was the most enjoyable half hour I have ever spent. The director Paul Larson showed outstanding showmanship.”

 

 

 

John Rosengren, Eugene Uglem, and Robert Baldwin met to organize a chapter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, with about 20 members. The objective was to help young men develop abilities and have experience in the business and civic activities. They first sponsored a city baseball team and in 1949 sponsored the first local candidate for Queen of the Lakes— Joan Turgeon. Another Robbinsdale resident, Helen Stoeffer Madden who had been Homecoming Queen at Robbinsdale High School in 1950, and Miss Golden Valley in 1951, became Queen of the lakes in 1951. In 1952, Miss Robbinsdale, Joan Melberg, went on to become Queen of the Lakes. Another Miss Robbinsdale who became Queen of the Lakes was Catherine Steinert, 1975, and Vicki Johnson Barkley became an Aquatennial Princess in 1973. Miss Robbinsdale of 1961-62, Marlene Kringstad, has become a well-known actress under the name of Kathryn Leigh Scott. The Junior Chamber of Commerce is no longer connected with the Chamber of Commerce. Other activities of this group, later known as the Robbinsdale Jaycees  have included helping the needy

(Christmas baskets, snow shoveling, etc.) and help to the town. The first president was John (Jack) Rosengren, who was followed by Eugene Uglem, Robert (Bob) Baldwin and Richard Dennis.

 

At a special election, voters overwhelmingly (1188-606) voted for municipal liquor. The Wagner Cafe’s fixtures and lease were purchased to house the liquor establishment. The Alcan and Camelot applied for beer licenses. There were many headaches in setting up the new venture, but profits have helped our taxes over the years.

After World War II Art Bolier (pictured above) and Jim DuPuy purchased the “Truffy” DeMars Grocery near 36th and West Broadway and opened the ALCAN Club. The saloon was so named because its owners, worked on the Alaska-Canada ( ALCAN) Highway. The building was torn down in the late 1950’s and the lot was a used as a mini golf course until 1964 when Guaranty Bank opened on the corner.

 

Robbinsdale’s “lady mailman” celebrated Elizabeth Titus celebrated 25 years of seeing to it that the 406 families she served on Hennepin County’s Rural Route 11 received their letter and packages.Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night ever stayed her from the swift completion of her appointed rounds.

1948

 

The new Lee Elementary School opened in the fall of 1948, with Mr 0. B. Aftreth as its first principal. Over the next 28 years the war babies and the post-war baby boom were to require 18 more elementary schools, plus junior and senior high schools to be built in District 281. In addition to Lee, in 1950 and the opening of Adair Elementary in 1952 allowed the school on Regent Avenue to house only grades seven through twelve, until Robbinsdale Senior High School opened in 1956 and the Regent school became Robbinsdale Junior High School.

 

Many of the schools were named after Robbinsdale residents:

 

William H. Cavanagh Elementary (1958). Mr. Cavanagh was local contractor, also a school board member from the early 1930’s to the mid 1950’s.

 

1. 0. Sonneyson Elementary School (1962). “Sonny” was editor of the Post newspaper for many years. He believed schools were the most important asset of a community.

 

Frank P. Hosterman Junior High School (1962). Mr. Hosterman was a local dentist who served on the school board for 33 years.

 

Edwin J. Cooper Senior High School (1964). “E. J.” who was Superintendent of the School District from 1930 to 1965, saw the district grow from 1,100 students in 1930 to 22,000 in 1964, and 22 schools built.

 

In the late 1970’s the painful process of closing schools began. The Robbinsdale Junior High was closed in 1979, Lee Elementary in 1981 and the Senior High in 1982. The baby boom was long over and these early students were in their “thirties,” living and producing babies elsewhere.

 

In other news, through bus service to Robbinsdale replaced the old street car line and Policeman, Donald (toby) Johnson started a bike patrol made up of Robbinsdale Boys. He told the Minneapolis Star that the new patrol would help reduce bicycle theft, accidents and traffic violations. As part of the safety program the city issued bicycle licenses. The 15 boy patrol was clad in blue gray uniforms and overseas caps paid for by the Robbinsdale Lions Club. The patrol issued warnings and citations that were brought before a special traffic court. Penalties for violations included copying the traffic laws that were violated 100 time. According to Police Chief Matt Spurzem, the city issued over 700 bicycle licenses in 1948.

949

 

In February, a PTA was organized at Lee School with Mrs. James Walker as the first president. A card party, a KSTP Barn Dance at the high school, a square dancing party, paper sales, etc., raised money for school lunches and dental care for needy children, playground equipment, and Christmas baskets for needy families. Along with immunization clinics, a dish towel shower and a Mother’s Tea, it was an active year for a new school. By October, there were 1115 PTA members, 1141 students and 26 teachers. On February 16, there was an “open house” to show off the 20 classrooms, little theater, cafeteria and the latest features in design and convenience. Also, in February, the school nurse, June Sundt, sent notices to all parents because of several cases of scarlet fever, warning that severe complications could occur in one third of the cases.

 

In April, the new fire and police station on Hubbard Avenue was formally dedicated. At 2 p.m. the siren blew and the firemen marched from their old home in back of the City Hall on Broadway to the new quarters on Hubbard. Free coffee, doughnuts and ice cream were distributed to the public and the Robbinsdale and Anoka City Bands played. Mayor Charles Wallace handed over huge keys to Police Chief Matthew Spurzem and Fire Chief Frank Cherveny. Today the building is used as the Hubbard Transit Station.

he American Legion Post 251 built a new club house at 3600 France Avenue and the first meeting was held in the new building on December 8th, 1949. It was later.enlarged ,and today is a beautiful building for Legion activities. The dining facilities are used by the St. Petersburg Restaurant and frequently rented by other groups for wedding parties.

Dredging plans for Crystal Lake underwent several changes. This map show the work Hennepin county had completed and scheduled. The work areas are places where muck and sand where dredged out the disposal areas are where the material was piled up. The original plans called for complete feeling of an old swamp at the south end to become a playground. Another proposal would have left a small lagoon below Beard Avenue. The entire area was eventually filled to become Lakeview Terrace Park. By 1949 over $100,000 had already has been spent. The 1947 disposal area at the top of the map was a marshy place Robbinsdale used as a city dump. The site became Sanborn Park.

1950

 

Census: 11,289 (an 87.6% increase since 1940)

 

The decade of the 1950’s was busy. World War II was over. School activities were fun for all the new parents. In April, the City Council reapportioned the wards—the 2nd and 4th being reduced in size because of so many new homes being built. In May, the school board election saw Hans Mickelson and Free Bayard elected. Dr. F. P. Hosterman was president. A Robbinsdaîe Post headline, September 7, reported “District 24 Schools jammed as registrations increase; 29 new teachers begin work here.”

 

In 1950, Robbinsdale High School’s 24-year- old second-year coach Ed Kerman took the basketball team (pictured above) the Lake Conference, District 18, and Region 5 competitions. The Robins entered the state basketball tournament for the first time. The team lost to Duluth 42–40, but the town was thrilled and businesses on West Broadway Avenue closed to mark the occasion.

 

On February 21, B. J. Gearty of Gearty-Davis Funeral Home became president of the Robbinsdale Businessmen’s Association, succeeding Harold D. Campbell. Gearty, a funeral director here for 29 years, died in 1982, at age 72. Byron J. McCullagh, local attorney, was elected vice president and Richard Parish, also an attorney, was elected secretary-treasurer. Parish later served terms as State Representative and as State Senator from 1958-1976.

 

In June, free chest X-rays were offered to all residents over 15 years of age by the Christmas Seal Mobile X-ray unit. This effort to reach every home was led by Mrs. A. Michael Schultz.

 

The First Robbinsdale State Bank moved into its new building at 42nd Avenue and West Broadway on the site of Christensen’s blacksmith shop. It had completely outgrown the “Fawcett” Building built in 1922, for the then Security State Bank. The grand opening was held February 23, 1951, with 5,883 people attending, which was remarkable for a February event. J. W. Roche, vice-president, was congratulated by Arthur Quay, president of the First National Bank of Minneapolis, as were directors Walter C. Sipe, William H. Cavanagh, A. M. Berg; cashier, Sven Grundstrom and assistant cashier, L. M. Randahl. T. P. Howard continued as president until 1953.

 

In 1950, the main shopping district was West Broadway with Ruff’s

Grocery, Eva’s (girls, and women’s clothes), Jullie’s Men’s Wear (Adolph Jullie), Hackenmueller Meats, three hardware stores, three drug stores, Ben Franklin Bank, Ben Franklin “dime store” and two lumber yards, among others. Robin Center and the Terrace-Wards areas were still swamps.

 

Groundbreaking for the , 43rd and Chowen Avenues, occurred on May 28, after three years of services being held in a small house near the present site. There were twelve charter members. Reverend Gerald V. Walder led the church a with only one break in service. The first services were held in the new building on July 15th, 1951.  Six years later, Rev. Walder was replaced by Rev. Donald L. Walkes and Olivet was merged with Hope Evangelical United Brethren Church of Minneapolis. In 1962 ground was broken for a new addition to hold a sanctuary, pastor’s study, secretary’s office and nursery. In 1968, Olivet Evangelical United Brethren Church changed it’s name to Olivet United Methodist Church. Five years later, Rev. Gerald V. Walder returned to Olivet and served as pastor. A a beautiful pipe organ was purchased in 1980 and the congregation burned their mortgage in 1981. Rev. Walder retired in 1987.  The Olivet United Methodist Church in Robbinsdale was designated as a Minnesota Conference Historic Site by the United Methodist Church in 2010.

 

In September, two 50 x 130 foot lots by Parkview and Chowen Avenues were deeded to the city for $1.00 by Guy Fallden. An adjoining property owner said he would provide fill to level off the lots for a “tot lot” playground. Plans were also being made for Mud Lake Park, which eventually became Manor Park.

 

The September 18th City Council meeting voted to seed and sod the two block area of Sanborn Park.  It was originally an unsightly hole and had been used as a dump. Dredging material from the north end of Crystal Lake was used to fill. This interestingly, must have broken the seal of the lake bottom. because the lake level promptly began dropping for about seven years.

951

 

The Terrace Theatre opened on May 25th, 1951. The Mid-Century Modern building designed by the architectural firm of Liebenberg & Kaplan, for movie house owners, Sydney and William Volk, won national acclaim from newspapers, magazines, and industry publications. The August 4th, 1951 issue of Box Office Magazine featured the Terrace on the cover and contained a five page, illustrated article that praised the Terrace as “The Gem of the Lakes.” The Volk brothers spared no expense in the construction of their flagship theater. Inside the massive auditorium, 1299 soft cushioned seats faced a 26-foot screen. Soundproof rooms on either side of the projection booth could be used for parties or crying babies. Outside the auditorium, a split-level lobby gave way to a sunken den, fireplace, television lounge and enormous, slanted windows.

 

The Terrace opened just as televisions began appearing in the living rooms of America and the Volks’ new movie theater was met with some skepticism. In August of 1951, Business Week reported, “Last May, two Minneapolis movie owners pulled a stunt that made every other exhibitor in the area decide they had blown their lids sky high. In nearby Robbinsdale, Minn., William and Sidney Volk opened a movie theater that had cost them close to $1 million to build. Since television seemed to have put the movie business solidly on the skids, this looked like an elaborate way to commit suicide.” Sidney Volk brushed aside criticism and explained to local reporters, that most people had kitchens and refrigerators, but they still went out to eat. The Terrace proved to be a success. The theater attracted movie goers from every corner of the Twin Cities and remained an entertainment destination for almost 50 years.

 

Elim Lutheran congregation dedicated its new $135,000 church at 40th and West Broadway, only four feet away from the old church. The old church was purchased by Bmnswick Methodist and moved to 42nd and Brunswick Avenue. Both congregations used the old church for about a year while the new Elim was being built. Rev. C. Ward Nerothin was the pastor until the fall of 1982, when he retired. In September 1982, the congregation celebrated its 60th Anniversary in conjunction with Rev. Nerothin’s retirement.

Pastor C. Ward Nerothin, Elim Lutheran Church, circa 1956 (Courtesy of Sheldon Smith)

 

At Lee School, there were 1,625 students; 1,448 PTA members and 37 teachers. This was the largest school population Lee had ever had. By 1952, Adair School (later changed to Fair School) opened, but Lee still had 1,565 students and 1,497 PTA members. Under Robert Tharp, the new principal, and Mrs. Lorraine Dysart, the PTA president, a Fun Fest was held on November 8th, which included cake walks, pie walks, pet show, hobby show, musical chairs, basketball throw, ring toss, movies, etc. About 5,000 attended and the net proceeds were $1,597.

Lee School

 

Six of the employees of the Robbinsdale Post, including H. 0. Sonneyson, purchased the Post Publishing Company. Others were Wayne Nelson, Harold Johnson, Ed C. L’Herault, LeRoy Westerlund and Dick Germundson. Sonneyson, a beloved editor, lived in Robbinsdale and was very interested in all Robbinsdale “doings.” He worked up to the day he died, December 20, 1969, age 69. He is listed in Who Was Who in America, volume V, 1969-1973. The Sonneysons lived on Orchard Avenue.

 

In October, a new post office in Ruff’s building at 41st and West Broadway, was dedicated. Guests were treated to coffee and doughnuts. Minneapolis postal officials; Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Ruff, owners of the new building; and William Cavanagh, the contractor, were present. Byron McCullagh, president of the Robbinsdale Businessmen’s Association, lauded the postal officials and said that the erection of the post office was in line with the progress Robbinsdale had made in 1951.

In honor of Raleigh Parker,the grandson of Alfred Parker, A reunion for the sons and daughters of Robbinsdale’s pioneer families was held on Sunday September 16th, 1951. Seated in the first row are; Etta Roth Gates, Bertha Trump, Mrs. Bill Parker, Bill Parker, Mrs. George Johnson, Grace Goetze. Row 2: Mrs Horbie Morse, Ruth Trump, Frances Pollard, Maude Huston, Mrs. William Johnston, Emma Bratager, William Goetze, Jack Trump, George Christianson, Bill Johnston, Louis Bratager, Harriet Grenell Sessing (front), Jules Sessing (back), Lawrence Nasett, George Johnson,Hamlet Johnson.

 

In July, 20 year old JoAnn Melberg (pictured above courtesy of Sheldon Smith), the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Minnesota and Robbinsdale’s Queen of the Lakes candidate was crowned as the 1953 Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen. JoAnn grew up on Abbott just to the east of Crustal Lake. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and was planning a career as an elementary school teacher. JoAnn told the Minneapolis Tribune that she was not engaged, pinned or having any steady beaus. Crowns were nothing new to JoAnne. The previous year she had been selected as “Miss Sparkle” of the Minneapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce clean up week.

 

The terrific Terrace Theatre, owned and operated by Sidney and William Volk. received the International Award in 1952 for “having the outstanding theater in the United States that year.” The theater included a television lounge, two “crying rooms” (for parents with infants), a coffee lounge, and deep, roomy, soft-cushioned seats. Sidney Volk said they picked this location because “it is adjacent to large, growing communities.”

 

According to Dave Kenney, author of Twin Cities Picture Show, movie theater attendance peaked nationwide in 1946 and, between 1951 and1953, a dozen theaters in Minneapolis and St. Paul shut down. The Volks were undeterred. “Let’s face it,” Sidney Volk said, “the theater business has changed, and we’ve built a place to take care of the needs of today. We now have what the public wants. The box office tells the story.” The Volks were confident that the Terrace would continue to draw plenty of customers—especially women. “If a woman has been at home tending her kids all day, washing, ironing, and cooking, it’s going to take more than television to keep her there at night,” Sidney Volk observed. “As long as we have women in this world, people are going to go out. Nobody ever bought a mink coat for his wife to keep warm.” In addition to targeting female customers, the Volk brothers saw the theater as a community gathering place. In another news article Sidney Volk said, “There are so many wonderful people in the world! And you can’t meet ‘em by the television set. You have to go out and talk to them.” A 1952 guest register showed signatures from 25,000 people from all 48 states plus Canada and other countries outside the US.

 

Robbinsdale grieved over the death of Lt. John W. Cooper, age 23, son of School Superintendent and Mrs. E. J. Cooper, killed in a jet plane crash in Kansas. John had graduated from West Point and was a student pilot at Bryan Air Force Base in Texas at the time of his death. A memorial fund was contributed to the American Legion Boy Scout Troop 234.

 

Hervey Morse, Mayor of Robbinsdale m 1926-27, a founder of the Lions Club and former president of the Charter Commission, retired after serving the Northside YMCA for 25 years. Reverend Dale, of the First Congregational Church, spoke at the “honoring” ceremonies.

1953

In March, more than 200 Robbinsdale residents met at the Fire and

Police Station Auditorium to form the Robbinsdale Taxpayers Association after the valuations on their homes had jumped 29% to 35%. Thomas Christensen, 4228 Halifax, presided. The Association met for a few years to study taxes and to find out the effects of increased valuations.

 

We should include here the formation of the Crystal Knights of Columbus, an area-wide organization. Its aims are unity, charity, fraternity, and patriotism. Howard Hommes, a Robbinsdale resident and driver of the first school bus, was the first Grand Knight.

 

A staggered class schedule was put in place at Robbinsdale High School and Robbinsdale Junior High. Overcrowding meant grades 9-12 went to school from 7:50 to 2:30 and grades 7 and 8 from 9:50 to 4:30. The school district enrollment at the time was about 1800 and was predicted to rise to 5,000 by 1962. The school board began studying plans for a new high school.

Rollie Heywood with his pal Renee and the Jag back in ’53

 

A plan for a new liquor store and city hall on West Broadway met with a great deal of resistance. The Robbinsdale High School PTA appealed to the city not to build not to build the new municipal liquor store in connection with a government building claiming that liquor would degrade the this important symbol of the city’s democracy. A petition opposing the move was signed by over 1700 residents. In June, the city decided to scrap the plan and look for alternative. The new city hall was not completed until 1970.

 

James Walker became the Commander at Westphal Post 251 of the American Legion and. In 1974 he became the state Commander. Two years later Walker was the National Vice Commander. His wife Margaret was the Auxiliary President in 1950 and became the state President in 1965. James and Margaret were often called Mr. and Mrs. American Legion for their more than 30 years of service.

1954

 

The old Village Hall, built in 1888, on West Broadway was torn down to make room for the parking lot which was needed if the Red Owl store was to be established. Robbinsdale needed a large grocery store. The municipal offices had been moved into temporary quarters in the fire and police station the previous fall. Everyone had to climb steps to the second floor for council meetings. (One citizen died after raising objections to some issue— perhaps the stair climbing contributed.) This temporary arrangement lasted until 1970, when the new Civic Center was built in Robin Center.

 

The old Victory Memorial Hospital, built in 1939 by Dr. Samuel Samuelson, was remodeled and renamed North Memorial Hospital. Dr. Cortland Robinson became Chief of Staff and Mr. Vance C. DeMong the Director, serving until 1981. The Board of Trustees included Julian Paradise, George Melin, A. R. Wolff; Douglas Carlson, Harvey DeZiel, Jr., L. Z. Carlson, Kenneth Nesseth, Dr. C. R. Baker; Charles 0. Wallace, William Benson, and Rev. A. H. Schultz. It was a long road from a one-doctor, privately owned hospital to the modem, non-profit hospital of 550 beds, offering services from emergency care to microsurgery and even a hospice unit. In 1982, a second parking ramp was built.

 

Mrs. E. J. Cooper, wife of the Superintendent of School, organized the Schoolmasters’ Wives’ Club to become better acquainted with faculty wives. At first it was a social club, but later it began giving scholarships. Money was raised by fashion shows and now, by annual craft shows.

 

955

 

Easy to Shop… Easy to Park… Robin Center Hits the Mark!

 

This year, Robin Center, a large addition to shopping facilities, opened. The swamp had been considered “unbuildable” and had reverted to the state as tax forfeited land. Douglas Rees, along with two partners, bought this and a few other lots and hired an excellent engineer, A. C. Godward, who figured out how to build on this. Jerome Begin brought in thousands of yards of fill (some spots in the swamp were forty feet deep) and hundreds of piles were driven for a “friction piling” base for much of Robin Center.

 

This took several years but the first part of Robin Center opened in 1955 and soon the other two buildings were added, including the Country Club Grocery. On October 12th, 1955 at 8pm the Robbinsdale City Band played a special performance to mark the opening of the new shopping center. KSTP’s Bill Ingram was on hand for the ribbon cutting. Robin Center’s original 18 stores included; Merwin Drug, Sears Roebuck, Sherwin Williams, Brown Photo and F.W. Woolworth.

 

Mr. Rees died in 1979, and his nephew, Richard Thomson, replaced Alida Roepke as manager. In the 1980’s Many strip centers became outmoded by the regional mall type centers but, in Robin Center, business remained good and most stores were showing steady increases in sales, said Mr. Thomson, who also said that Mr. Rees developed many properties but Robin Center was always his favorite.

In 1982 and 1983, remodeling and “rehabbing”  gave the center a bright new look. Another remodel was completed at the turn of the century.

In other news, Robbinsdale Police began to use radar to enforce speed limits as part of Police Chief Matt Spuzem’s “Slow-Down-and-Live” campaign. A sprinkling ordinance went into effect. In an effort to amke water available for cooking and washing dishes, sprinkling was banned between 4 and 8pm.

1956

 

On Friday, January 6, the Robbinsdale Recreation and Fire Departments arranged a Christmas Tree Bonfire at Lee School. This was before burning was banned in the late 1960’s. The children brought Christmas trees from home and enjoyed the huge bonfire. On April 17, the Superintendent of School District 24, Edwin J. Cooper, spoke to the Lee PTA. School Board members attending were Free C. Bayard, Chairman; Clifford C. Smith; and Dr. Frank Hosterman. Others on the Board were William Cavanagh, Richard Parish and Hans Mickelson. Mr. Cooper pointed out that the school enrollment was four and a half times greater than ten years previously. Fourteen hundred kindergarten children made triple shifts necessary. The post war “baby boom” continued into the 1960’s.

Up Above Lee School

 

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, many money-raising functions were held at Lee School to buy not only things like the Civil Defense bell, but blackout shades for the classrooms and offices. On the first day of school, the children were shown where the bomb shelter was. The Civil Defense authorities stocked this area with food and water. The children also practiced curling up in fetal positions under their desks.

 

On January 17th, Deputy Director on Minneapolis Civil Defense, W.A. Small spoke to the PTA and said changes had been made in defense preparations because the new hydrogen bombs destroy everything within a mile radius. The principal objective now was to get the children home so that family units could evacuate in private automobiles to an area at least fifty miles distant. Families desperately tried to make their own plans. By the 1980’s, we realized there is no running away.

Lee School from Behind

 

On February 21st, more than 1700 parents and children attended the dinner and open house at Lee School. The school had 1260 students. Mrs. Idell Silberman, who later served on the School Board, was in charge. She was assisted by Mr. Ceaburn Squires, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rice, Mrs. Karyl Walcher, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dressel, Mrs. Douglas Fredin, Mr. and Mrs. John Grant, Mrs. Robert Sandgren, Mrs. W. H. Than, and Mrs. John Bandli— all PTA members. Proceeds went to buy a Civil Defense bell and a light system. Mr. Robert Tharp was the principal and was pleased with the event. In September, Mr. Willis Boynton became principal of Lee School. In the spring of 1956, Lee School PTA mothers, under President Virginia Lukaszewski, assisted with administering polio shots for the children. Poliomyelitis was a dreaded disease, often causing paralysis or death. People dreaded the possibility of living out their lives in an “iron lung.” These “shots” and later the oral vaccine have eliminated this terrible plague.

Robbinsdale HighSchool on Toledo Avenue

 

Due to the pressures of an increasing number of students, the new Robbinsdale Senior High School opened at Toledo and 37th Avenues. Mr. Milo Mielke, Principal moved to the new high school and held that position until he retired in 1968. after 39 years with our schools. The school on Regent Avenue became Robbinsdale Junior High School (grades 7-9).

Robbinsdale High School from Behind

 

Mr. Mark T. Woodward became principal of the Robbinsdale Junior High School and served until his retirement in 1974. He worked to get programs started for children with learning disabilities, especially hearing, and encouraged money in the Student Activities Fund to be spent on the 35 Nature Pictures which all students could enjoy. After the school was closed in 1979, the pictures were hung in the Robbinsdale Senior High School.

 

1957

 

On May 7, the 43rd Annual Convention of the Tenth District Minnesota

Federation of Women’s Clubs was held here at the Congregational Church. Mrs. Henry Hartig and Mrs. J. W. Bobleter were co-chairmen. Mrs. J. Clifford

[Georgette] Boise, president of the Federation, presided. There was a scrapbook contest and the scrapbook of the Robbinsdale Library Club, compiled by Mrs. C. E. Kitner, won first prize.

Downtown Robbinsdale from the water tower.

 

The League of Women Voters of Robbinsdale formally organized on

April 29 and Mildred McGeorge was elected the first president. Under the guidance of Gladys Wik, the first “Know Your Town Survey” was printed with copies distributed to schools, the library, and the public. The first study subjects included the State constitution, reapportionment, water, and local parks. The League supported improving Robbinsdale water by filtration and some softening. Filtration was finally voted in. In 1959, the League supported a bond issue for Lakeview Terrace Park, there being no other large park in Robbinsdale. The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan, concentrating on studying, supporting and lobbying for issues for the public good. It routinely publishes Voters Guides and “Know Your Town” surveys, holds candidates meetings, helps register voters, and members have spoken to high school classes about voting.

 

Our School District 24 was changed to School District 281.  1957 was the first year the school district’s budget climbed over a million dollars.

 

On October 4, Russia launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space and we all had nightmares of orbiting bombs and missiles. Four months later the United States launched the Explorer I which discovered the Van Allen radiation belt. Thus the space race began, twelve years after the “atomic age” had begun. A side effect was the emphasis on the teaching of more mathematics and science in the schools and in the late 1960’s courses in computer language began.

 

1958

 

The decade of the “fifties” became famous for the building of new churches. In addition to those previously mentioned, three more must be included. On May 4, Faith Lilac Way Lutheran Church dedicated its new building at Rockford Road and Welcome Avenue. Early services in the 1940’s had been held in the Masonic Temple. On Christmas Eve, Sacred Heart celebrated mass in their new church at

41st and Hubbard Avenues. The original church building was then used for recreation and classes until it was destroyed by fire in November of 1973.

 

Also, on January 11, 1959, after three years of holding services at Loring School in Minneapolis and twelve years in the chapel at France and Lake Drive Avenues, the congregation of Peace Lutheran Church finally moved into its new church. Ewald Hinck was pastor from 1944 until his retirement in 1979. Carleton Zahn is the present pastor.

 

The Diggers Garden Club was given a Founders’ Certificate from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in grateful acknowledgment of their participation in the establishment and development of the Arboretum.

 

In December the Minneapolis Star reported the merger talks between city officials in Robbinsdale and Crystal were being proposed. Mayor Merwin of Robbinsdale said the merger could save tens of thousands of dollars by eliminating duplication in public services. It was predicted the new community could be home to over 50,000 could in less than ten years time. Although Mayor Princeton in Crystal said he wouldn’t care if the new town was called Robbinsdale, the naming of the new community was predicted to be a thorny issue. Crystaldale? Robbincrys?

1959

In November, voters approved a bond issue for development of a park at the south end of Crystal Lake which was mostly marsh. It took two years of hauling in fill before development could begin. When the park was somewhat completed a naming contest was held with a bicycle as the prize. It was awarded to Gregory Hollenkamp, age 9, who suggested the name “Lakeview Terrace Park.” The combined activities building and warming house was built in 1962.

 

Steve Rieschl was selected as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic ski jumping team. He later captained the U.S. Nordic Ski Team at the 1962 World Champion. Steve was only 4 when his parents strapped on his first pair of skis and sent him over a little snow bump near the chalet at Wirth Park. A couple years later he was racing down the olden wooden ski jump.

 

In September, Robbinsdale Police were confronted with the phenomenon of  almost daily car thefts. Police Chief Matt Spurzem told the Minneapolis Tribune that the department was working on at least 6 stolen car cases from the previous week. The community had previously averaged about one a month. In November seven area youths ages 14-19 were in custody for the theft of hundreds of cars and over $3000 dollars in merchandise. One told police that stealing cars “was like smoking cigarettes”. Once ha had taken a few he said he got his kicks from eluding police. All the kids said they stole for excitement and that they were glad they were caught before they did anything more serious. They were never part of an organized gang just loosely connected “cliques” from Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center, the Bryn Mawr area in Minneapolis.

 

960

 

Census: 16,381 (a 45% increase since 1950)

 

The decade of the sixties included a new bank, filtration plants, the revival of Crystal Lake, the formation of the Housing Authority and another school because of the continuing “baby boom.”

 

The Robbinsdale Library received a $25,000 grant for a remodeling and expansion program which doubled the size of the Tudor-fashioned building. An extension was added to the rear of the building, the ceiling was dropped, tile was laid throughout and a workroom with sink and cabinets constructed in the basement. Mrs. Peggy Georgas, the Librarian, said about 50 new cards were issued each week and the annual circulation was approaching 100,000.

 

 

The First Congregational Church of Robbinsdale needed more room and on August 28, 1960, ground was broken at 4200 Lake Road for an Education Building at a cost of $165,000. On Sunday, April 30, 1961, a bright sunny day, the congregation gathered at the old church for a short service then a procession lead by Reverend Thomas Walmsley and Dr. Norval Barker, the building committee chairman, marched to the new building. There was standing room only as whole families attended so that the children could remember the day. Church services were held in the Education Building for seven years. A new sanctuary was dedicated on April 9, 1967.

 

1961

 

The League of Women Voters sponsored an open house at the Fire and Police Station on Hubbard Avenue so that citizens could get acquainted with their local government. Council members and department heads were all there to answer questions. League President, Mrs. Albert (Ruth) Schultz, was hostess and two 50-star flags were given as prizes. Tours included offices and council chambers on third floor, the city manager’s office in the rear on the first floor, as well as the headquarters for the fire and police departments.

 

Arthur J. Sessing was given the life membership in the Westphal American Legion Post #251 in recognition of his many years of service in the Boy Scout camping program. Although a bachelor, he bragged he had more boys than anyone—approximately 500. This was the second such award given by the Westphal Post, the first life membership having been given six years earlier to William G. Kranz for his outstanding services.

 

Aqua Jesters. Helping John Luckow, chairman, were Francis “Bud” Gallagher, Richard Lonsdale, Tom Ewer, Robert Baldwin and William Spanjers. The Robbinsdale City Band won first place in the night Aquatennial Parade for the fifteenth consecutive time. It had won first prizes in 27 of the 32 Aquatennial events it had entered.

 

No. 281, began October 30. Robbinsdale schools included were Lee, Robbinsdale Junior High and Robbinsdale Senior High. Tuberculosis had been quite a severe “plague” until the late 1950’s when drugs were developed but “screening” was still necessary. Follow-ups were done on children with positive Mantoux tests and, interestingly, many were found to have a tubercular grandparent who hadn’t had a chest X-ray in years.

 

On February 20, 1962, the citizens of Robbinsdale, along with the rest of the nation, marveled at John Glenn’s rocketing into space and circling the earth three times. We anxiously awaited his “splash down” in the Pacific Ocean.

 

An area-wide improvement in shopping facilities occurred with the opening of the West Mall at Brookdale with Sears, Super Value and many other shops. However, this did have an increasingly negative effect on the businesses in Robbinsdale. In 1966 Brookdale added the East Mall with Dayton’s, Donaldson’s, Hudson, J. C. Penney Stores and others. West Broadway eventually lost its dime store (Ben Franklin) and many other shops. Many decry the changing direction of the main street (Broadway) in our town but the effort to compete with a regional shopping center is difficult and continuing. A change in direction seems to be occurring.

 

After three years of arguing, the citizens of Robbinsdale on November 8th, 1962, voted for a filtration plant to remove iron and manganese from our very hard artesian water. This was first voted on and failed in 1959. Then, in 1960 it failed by two votes. It was an interesting three years. Mayor Charles Wallace felt it was a step forward. Two filtration plants were built, one at 41st and Hubbard and the other at Beard and Oakdale. These serve the five wells.

 

On October 23, voters dutifully voted for another school bond issue. This time it was for a second high school to be opened by 1964 and was named the Edwin J. Cooper Senior High School in honor of School Superintendent Edwin J. Cooper, a Robbinsdale resident. The school bond issues were routinely passed as the voters were routinely producing children. The post-war “baby boom” was easing but the home building boom in the school district was bringing in many new families.

 

When the United States Post Office announce plans to relocate to the site of the National Food Store in Robin Center. City officials protested the move. The City Council noted that the Robbinsdale would not gain any assessed valuation. Douglas Rees, president of Robin Center Inc. said he would remodel for the post office and rent the space for $20,000 a year on a 20 year lease.

1963

 

Walter J. (Red) Sochacki began his second term as Mayor, the only councilman re-elected. He was well known as a football and basketball coach in the Robbinsdale schools.

Above Robbinsdale in 1963

 

In February, Bob Mendendall, the Robbinsdale High School band director, received the “Man of the Year” trophy from the Robbinsdale Chamber of Commerce. He had served with the Robbinsdale City Band for 25 years, the last 15 years as its director. Under his leadership the City Band won many top awards in the Aquatennial parades. The Chamber of Commerce Committee selecting Mendenhall said he “has probably done more individually to develop music in Robbinsdale than any other single individual.” (NHP) Mendenhall also had helped develop the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps in the mid 1950’s. In March, Mendenhall resigned and Roy Olson became director of the City. Band.

 

Construction was going on to replace the traffic circle at Highway 52 and Lowry near North Memorial Hospital. It resulted in a bridge joining West Broadway in Minneapolis. The traffic circle, built in 1942, had been a tremendous experience. Traffic entered from at least seven streets and exited wherever the driver wished. Finally, with Robbinsdale’s population over 16,000, the circle could no longer handle the traffic efficiently.

 

In July, the biggest farewell party Robbinsdale had ever had was held at the K. C. Hall for Gladys Dahl, our much-loved public health nurse, who had served Robbinsdale for 22 years. She had been assisted by a nursing Auxiliary. Its members sewed cancer pads of newspapers covered with sheeting, as modem fiber-filled pads had not been invented. They assisted at the American Legion sponsored Well Baby Clinic at the Legion Club and filled food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also donated money for a loan closet, which still exists. People may borrow hospital beds, bed pans, commodes, etc., for home use. Members of the Auxiliary at that time included Lucille Beebe, Agnes Kranz, Marie Wallace, Mabel Hanson, Emma Heise, Margaret Klingensmith, Helen Blodgett, Mary O’Keefe, Evelyn Grundstrom, Dorothy Bebus, Harriet Megson and Marian Muir, social worker.

 

1964

 

 

 

During the summer, construction of the Guaranty State Bank proceeded after a delayed start. Groundbreaking and construction of the bank under Henning M. Nelson was to have begun on May 27 but workers found a mallard duck nesting on the site. Walter C. Rasmussen ordered a halt to all construction until the ducklings could hatch and be taken to a game farm. A snow fence was erected and a guard posted 24 hours a day for protection. The story even “hit” the national wire services.

 

The Guaranty Bank replaced the miniature golf course, which had replaced the AIcan saloon. The Alcan saloon was so named because its owners, Art Bolier and Jim DePuy, had worked on the Alcan Highway. Previously the “Truffy” DeMars grocery and saloon had occupied the building. The Guaranty Bank opened for business on October 26, 1964. Open house was held the week of November 16, culminating in a big reception with many dignitaries including Mayor Walter (Red) Sochacki, Alderman Earl Hiller, Police Chief George Roope, newly appointed U.S. Senator Walter Mondale, State Legislator Linn Slattengren, State Senator Richard Parish, Chamber of Commerce President Al Steel of Howard Lumber Company, Minneapolis Alderman Joe Greenstein and, of course, the bank officers and president.

Harmon Glass on West Broadway in 1964

 

The first president of the bank was Walter C. Rasmussen who became chairman of the board. Warren H. Thompson became president on January l,1980.

 

For years the Guaranty Bank had a community room on the lower level available for free use by community groups. This had to be discontinued when the bank was remodeled. In the 1978-79 remodelling, the bank was enlarged and an aesthetically designed and landscaped parking lot was built. Concerts were held there for a few years. In 1979, Rudy Valee, the famous “crooner” of the 1930’s, appeared. In December, 1982, the bank was sold and the Citizens State Bank with Constance L. Bakken, Chairman of the Board, and Roger L. Hauge, President.

Olivet Baptist in 1964

 

Lakeview Elementary School opened in September because of an increasing number of students. For a few years in the 1980’s  it was the only school operating in the city Robbinsdale.

 

In November, the voters approved a change in the form of government from Mayor-Council to Council-City Manager form. George DeLay, who had been city clerk and treasurer for seven years, was appointed the first city manager in early 1965. In 1968, he became executive secretary of the Housing Authority in addition to his City Manager duties.

1965

 

One of the two earliest landmarks, the former First Congregational

Church, was demolished on March 3rd to make room for a filling station, later occupied by Pilgrim’s Cleaners and other shops. The area had become commercial.  The other landmark, Haakon Christensen’s blacksmith shop had been replaced by the First Robbinsdale State Bank in 1950.

 

A bank robbery at First Robbinsdale State Bank occurred Sunday, April 30. The thieves had hidden in the bank and drilled a hole about the size of a plate into the night depository from inside the bank. About $60,000 was taken due to the Saturday and Sunday deposits of businesses and churches. Mrs. Gertrude Vilandre, deputy registrar, had deposited $21,000 from auto licenses Saturday evening. Robert Berglund, assistant cashier, interrupted the burglars at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, but the thieves escaped before the police arrived. Two other robberies have occurred. One was on December 20, 1978. That robber was caught in Florida. Another was on November 5, 1982, in the new bank building. A suspect, identified by camera pictures, was apprehended and pleaded guilty.

 

Suddenly the calm of the cloudy afternoon of May 6 was pierced by the continuous wail of tornado sirens and the radio announced “all of North Hennepin take cover.” Cars came up Highway 100 at nearly 100 miles per hour as workers hurried home to their families. Radio coverage was excellent, reporting where tornadoes were sighted. Finally, many Robbinsdale residents could hear the “railroad train sound” coming up Highway 100, so took cover. Those tornadoes, two in a row, veered, doing damage to North Memorial Hospital and Olivet Baptist Church before cutting across North Minneapolis to Fridley where extremely heavy damage occurred. Altogether, 22 tornadoes were sighted in the metropolitan area. It was a wornsome evening for everyone.

 

Edwin J. Cooper, Superintendent of Schools for the last 35 years, retired. He was born in Massachusetts in 1897. When he was three years old his family moved to St. Paul, near the Hamline University Campus where his father was Dean of the English Department. “E.J.” as he was called by his friends, served as a pursuit pilot in Europe in World War I. After getting his Masters Degree at the University of Minnesota, his first teaching position was at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Later, he served as Superintendent in a couple of Iowa towns before coming to Robbinsdale in 1930 to assume the position as Superintendent. He also served as Commander of the Westphal Legion Post and of the Tenth District of the Legion in 1937.

 

The Diggers Garden Club had a vision of making and beautifying a park area on the north shore of Crystal Lake. Early members of this Civic Beautification Committee were Rosella Feffercorn, Agnes Wright, Elaine Simonich, Helen Gerlach and lone Strandberg.

 

Actual work was delayed until Shoreline Drive was rebuilt, the “park to be” was sodded, some trees put in and asphalt pathways were laid in 1969. Then work had to be done on the lake itself to see if the water loss problem could be solved.

 

In June, the salt level in Crystal Lake was found to be 96-100 parts per million. This, compared to a 29 ppm level many years earlier, relected the increased use of salt on the highways. Robbinsdale alone was using 500 tons of salt per year, most of which was running into Crystal Lake via the storm sewers. The alkalinity was high, 286 ppm of calcium carbonate, thought to be from drainage from the Culligan softening plant. The nitrogen was high, from lawn fertilizers and possibly active and old cesspools. All this caused great growth of algae. As the algae die in January and February, they consume oxygen, thus causing the annual “fish kill. This led to concern and the development of a Lake Water Study Committee in 1967.

1966

 

A little lobbying by the Robbinsdale City Forester, Daniel R. Strapay resulted in a $14,120 budget provision to help prevent Dutch Elm disease. A program was set up to systematically spray, trim and prune 1,200 trees per year. At that time nearly eighty percent of the trees lining Robbinsdale’s streets were mature  elms.

 

The 52nd anniversary of the Robbinsdale City Band was somewhat muted by public indifference. The band had 50 members at the time and the first concert of the year drew fewer than 30 listeners. Director Donald Schiermer told city manager George DeLay he wasn’t sure the city should be spending money $5,000 a year on the band. Schiermer who also directed the Robbinsdale Jr. High band said competition from movies, television, professional orchestras and  other entertainments  were cutting into the bands audience.

 

In August Montgomery Wards opened their fourth Twin City location in Robbinsdale just below the Terrace Theatre on the west side of Crystal Lake.

 

In November Robbinsdale once again elected Charles O. Wallace as Mayor. Wallace was Robbinsdale’s first city clerk. He held office from 1938 until 1945. He served as Mayor from 1947 through 1954 and again from 1967 to 1972. The city’s new government offices behind Robin Center were dedicated to Wallace in 1970. Alderman Verl Weaver was the only incumbent to hold onto his seat in the election.

 

In late Novemeber an early morning fire destroyed O’Donnell’s Cleaners at 4179 West Broadway.

 

1967

 

The Crystal Lake Water Study Committee was appointed by the City

Council to study the problems of Crystal Lake which, by now, was considered a “dead” lake. Frank Litherland was elected chairman. Others on the committee were Earl T. Hiller, alderman; Mrs. Riley Blodgett and Mrs. Mark Woodward, representing the League of Women Voters; Rev. George Macauley, of the First Congeregational Church; and Bill Engler and Ed Horsmann, of the Robbinsdale Sportsman’s Club. A lake consultant, Don Daugs, was hired to study soil, water, fish population and winter kill, 02 and C02 levels, cattail and algae treatment, etc. The algae was treated chemically with copper sulfate and the cattails were cut. Thus began the restoration of Crystal Lake. Hennepin County had begun a program to assist financially the ailing lakes and Robbinsdale applied for, and received, assistance.

 

Someplace Else opened as an adult night club on March 22, 1967. Robbinsdale’s  municipal liquor laws prohibited alcohol sales. provided set-ups and patrons brought their own liquor. Owners, Ralph L. Reiter, Annette Flaherty and her husband John Flaherty had hoped that the Robbinsdale City council would allow the club to provided set-ups and patrons brought their own liquor. They spent $60,000 dollars remodeling Robin Lanes. The council allowed a permit to serve 3.2 beer, but denied the set up permit. To avoid going broke Someplace Else reinvented itself as a Teen Club open to kids ages 16-20.

The new City Council took office with Charles 0. Wallace returning as Mayor and Earle T. Hiller, John (Joe) Johnson, Z. Joseph Bauer and Verl Weaver as Aldermen. Peter Ruffenach was appointed to be City Attorney and Laura Bloedow to be City Clerk.  Weaver remembers the Council beginning to tackle the Dutch Elm disease problem. Rolf Nelson, a Robbinsdale lawyer, became State Representative in our legislative district, then called 31B, and beginning in 1971, served four years as State Senator. In April, Elsie Billmyre, age 79, died a month after her husband, H. P. Billmyre. Both had been longtime active Robbinsdale residents. On April 21, Dr. Henry Hartig, former président of the Robbinsdale Board of Education, died. He had also served two terms on the Crystal City Council while living in Crystal.

 

In July, Roger Fawcett, son of Capt. Billy Fawcett who founded Fawcett Publications, came to Robbinsdale to take part in the Fourth of July “Whiz Bang” days, formerly called the Good Will Days.

 

In November, the high school athletic field on 36th Avenue near Highway 100 was officially named “Milo M. Mielke Field” to honor the high school principal, Milo Mielke.

 

1968

 

Mr. Milo M. Mielke retired as Principal of Robbinsdale High School after 39 years in the district. Mr. Mielke was born in 1902 and was raised in Kenyon, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Olaf College and received his Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota. After teaching two years in Berndale, Minnesota, he came to Robbinsdale in 1929. At that time, there were 900 students, first through ninth grade, in the district and when he retired in June, 1968, the district had grown to over 20,000 students. In 1941 he was president of the Lions Club. He celebrated his 80th birthday in 1982, the year Robbinsdale High School was closed due to declining student.

Downtown Robbinsdale in 1968

 

Sims Memorial Trust was established according to the Will of Fred 0. Sims, an early resident of Crystal, who died in 1967. The Trust gives scholarships to local high school graduates for further college or vocational education. Original Trustees were Robert Cameron, Joseph Dragseth, Donald Rex, Ame Grangaard and Riley Blodgett. Additional Trustees included Gordon Johnson and Helen Blodgett. As of 1982, over $145,000 in grants have been given to graduates of Robbinsdale, Cooper and Armstrong Senior High Schools. Fred Sims had only an eighth grade education but realized that students today need far more than that, thus leaving his estate for this purpose.

 

The Charter Commission had City Attorney Peter Ruffenach redraft the 52-page City Charter to conform more nearly with model charters. One difference the Robbinsdale Charter Commission wanted was the staggered elections, in order to assure some continuity on the City Council. Because of the continuing deterioration of homes in Robbinsdale, the City Council established the Robbinsdale Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Old state statutes were discovered by City Manager, George DeLay, that made this possible. Together with City Attorney, Peter-J. (Pete) Ruffenach, doing the legal work, the “scattered site” program was begun. This was the first Housing Authority in Minnesota in a small city. Tax increment financing was used for redevelopment purposes. About 150 houses were identified where the house value was less than the value of the land on which it stood. Many were “garage” houses—built temporarily on the back of the lot in the 1930’s until the “big” house could be built but never was. Many were former lake cabins on Beard Avenue when Crystal Lake was much higher. In the first years, the HRA acquired many dilapidated houses for $6,000 to $8,000. The Charter members of the HRA, appointed by Mayor Charles Wallace, were Milo Mielke, Frank Litherland, Hal Mattson, Donald Floyd and Riley Blodgett. Others who later served include former Mayors, James McDonaId and Harvey Lange; present Mayor Raymond Mattson; former Aldermen Daniel Briggs, Z. Joseph Bauer and Vincent Klick; présent Alderman William Blonigan; also Kenneth Broin, Royce Anderson and Norma Kelly, who has been chairman since 1975. About 110 houses have been replaced by new homes and neighborhoods have “spruced themselves up.” The HRA also has a plan allowing the VoTech School to “re-hab” a house each year, thus giving the students” building experience.

 

1969

 

In February, 1969, almost 200 students were kicked out of Robbinsdale High School for wearing blue jeans. This violation of the dress code earned the students a three day suspension. Students complained that since green, light blue and beige denim were allowed it was silly to ban blue jeans. About a dozen showed up to protest the next day.

Students protesting outside Robbinsdale High School

In May, a 19 year old Robbinsdale Marine was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal posthumously for heroism in Vietnamese action. Dean Vasquez, son of Rita Vasquez, graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1967. According to the official citation for his conduct during a search and destroy mission at the Village of Vanh Quan Thoug in the province of Quang Tri, Vasquez disregarded his safety when he fearlessly moved across fire swept terrain firing his weapon until an enemy grenade wounded the other members of his team and halted their advance. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, Vasquez continued to deliver suppressive fire upon the enemy bunker, enabling other Marines to overrun the emplacement. The young Marine had been in Vietnam 5 months. His mother was presented with his medal.

Sex education foes broadened their  attack on public schools to include library books, films and other materials used in English and social-studies classes, the teaching of evolution and even school taxes. William Boynton, the assistant superintendent at Robbinsdale told the afternoon MInneapolis Star that the leaders of the opposition were just kind of anti-school and he believed that the passage of a 11.5 million dollar bond issue was a vote of confidence for the Robbinsdale  schools administration and “family life” curriculum.

Mayor Charles Wallace (center) and the city council breaking ground for the new Robbinsdale Civic Center .

Robbinsdale’s old City Hall on West Broadway was torn down to make room for a Red Owl grocery store parking lot in 1954. Municipal offices had been moved into temporary quarters in the police and fire building on Hubbard Avenue the previous year. Construction on the new government offices behind Robin Center began in 1968. The Robbinsdale Civic Center was dedicated to Mayor Charles O. Wallace on October 24th, 1970. Wallace was the Village Recorder in 1937. A year later he became Robbinsdale’s first city clerk. He held office from 1938 until 1945. He served as Mayor from 1947 through 1954 and again from 1967 to 1972.

1970

Census: 16,845

(The highest population Robbinsdale has ever had)

The decade of the seventies included both heartaches and good events for our town. The closing of the Library and the Junior High School saddened many citizens However, a new Civic Center, a senior citizen building, two new parks, the renewal of Arbor Day ceremonies, the free income tax assistance program for the elderly, and the rehabilitation of Crystal Lake all helped to make “our town” a good place to live.

Robbinsdale’s new government offices, the Civic Center in Robin Center, was dedicated to Mayor Charles 0. Wallace. The plaque at the Civic Center also mentions the aldermen initiating and constructing the building: J. J. Johnson, Earl Hiller, Verl Weaver, Z. Joe Bauer, Howard Oberg, and Ray Mattson. George E. DeLay was city manager.

The “Diggers” had as their project “cleaning up” the bushes and grounds of the Library. Orpha and Bill Kranz, Sr., Helen and Walden Schoenheider, lone Strandberg (President), Helen Peterson and Ann Schommer spent many hours trimming, cutting, mowing, removing dead bushes and edging.

The Minnesota Highway Department had proposed upgrading Highway 100 to full freeway. There would have been ten traffic lanes as 100 crossed under Highway 52 when access roads were included. Lions Park on lower Twin Lake and Graeser Park (diagonally opposite) would have been used for cloverleafs. The League of Women Voters had a “Save Your Parks” campaign and pointed out that Robbinsdale had a population of about 6000 per square mile and needed those heavily used parks for open space. A committee had been meeting for over a year and pointed out the undesirable effects and thought the highway plans were a case of overbuilding.”

Mayor Charles Wallace said, “It doesn’t make much difference what the city council wants— the Highway Department will do what THEY want, regardless.” In the next two years, about 40 homes were removed along Unity Avenue and on Highway 52 north of 42nd Avenue. But in 1973 when the OPEC oil crisis came, traffic was reduced, gas tax money was reduced and the parks were saved.

1971

Charges of salary discrimination based on sex were dropped by the first woman on the Robbinsdale police force after the City Council made her a bonafide member of the force and included her in salary negotiations. Mrs. Robert Meredith ( Does anybody know her first name?) Told the Minneapolis Star that she wasn’t arguing about the money, it was the discrimination of not even being formally listed in the department. Police chief George Roope eliminated the classification “clerk-dispatcher(female)” with City Council approval. The elimination of her classification did not increase her wage. Mrs. Meredith was hired at $450 per month. The Council granted her a $66 increase after she protested gross inequities based solely on sex. Two men hired later than she was were making $681 per month at the time. Despite the wage discrepancy Mrs. Meredith told the paper the salary and the change in her classification were acceptable to all parties.

In September Robbinsdale’s housing and redevelopment Authority proposed a 160 unit moderate income apartment building for a site, occupied by a ball park, bounded by Robin Lane, Lake Drive and Lake Road. Neighboring home owners claimed that a high rise would stick out like a sore thumb in their neighborhood of one and two story homes. They formed a “Save Lake Park” group and rallied to preserve the baseball  diamond.

Dissatisfied with traditional scheduling, but not quite ready for flexible modular scheduling, the Robbinsdale High School administration invented a new animal called “optional block scheduling”. The unique system replaced six 55 minute periods with eight 40 minute periods. Students took five to seven subjects.

 

Minneapolis school officials proposed an inter-district busing idea. The people of the Robbinsdale school district got a chance to register their feelings about the proposal that students be bused to and from Minneapolis to create a racial balance in both cities. About 800 people turned out for a hearing on the subject. The vast majority did not see desegregation as a necessary part of education.  Golden Valley  rejected a similar busing proposal. On December 6th the Robbinsdale School Board met an the consensus was that mandatory busing would not be in the best interest of the district.

 

The oldest school building in Robbinsdale was demolished to make way for a new 3.5 million dollar, thirty-five classroom addition to Robbinsdale Junior High. The Parker School, later known as the Robbinsdale Public School was built in 1890. The building was expanded several times and served the community as an elementary school, junior high school and  Robbinsdale School District offices.

1972

The Robbinsdale City Council asked the Metropolitan Transit Commission to study the feasibility of a minibus system linking West Broadway, Robin Center and 36th and France. A 10 cent fare was proposed. The minibus would make a complete trip around all three business areas in 10 minutes. The plan hit a snag when the Metropolitan Transit Commission explained that the city and local merchants would need to kick in $147  a week to keep the minibus rolling.

Student governments from all three of Robbinsdale area high schools presented a “Student’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” to school board. The statement addressed topics ranging from freedom of the press to the right of a student to sit or stand where they please. Some of the more controversial provisions dealt with open campus regulations and discipline. Students said the document would help clarify confusing rules and protect constitutional rights. District officials nodded and smiled upon receiving the document at a meeting attended by about 100 students.

Robbinsdale High School Wrestling Coach, John Grygelko relished the victory his 1972 squad gave him on Friday, January 14th. When Robbinsdale edged Hopkins Lindbergh 20-19 it was the 200th dual meet triumph in the 20 years Grygelko coached Robbinsdale teams. Grygelko planned to retire at the end of the year. He told the Minneapolis Star,  “It’s the close ones you remember, not the lopsided victories. I’ll remember this quite a while and I’m sure the kids will too.” Grygelko ended his career with a Win-Loss record of 238 to 48. He coached 14 individual State Champions and 90 State Place Winners. RHS won it all with the 1961 State Championship team.  Grygelko was inducted into the  Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

 

In May, Robbinsdale Police Chief George Roope submitted his resignation. Roope had considered a court fight and a Civil Service hearing on his forced retirement. A Robbinsdale city ordinance required policemen to retire at 60, five years earlier than the retirement age for other city employees.

In September a fire broke out on a bridge located at 36th Avenue North and Indiana. Wooden Timbers underneath the concrete portion of the bridge burst into flame. Shortly after the fire started a number of residents reported their phones were out of service. A Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. spokesman said a number of telephones with the “588” exchange were not working. Service was restored a day later. It took the fire department 45 minutes to put out the flames.

Promiscuous Robbinsdale cats and dogs forced city officials into a no-nonsense stand on the animals sexual activities. On September 25th, the Robbinsdale City Council gave preliminary approval to an amendment to the leashing ordinanace which would require female dogs and cats in heat to be confined within a building until out of heat. At the time Robbinsdale had about 3,000 dogs and 1,500 cats. City Councilman Ray Mattson voted against the ordinance because he didn’t think the police would be able to determine which animals were in heat. The new Police Chief Roland Thurman told the Minneaplis Star, ” Many People will have them in the yard and they’re really a nuisance. You can have a cyclone fence around the yard and there’s still a problem.

North Memorial Hospital made it’s auditorium available to Virginia Johnson, a cardiac nurse, who set up free public discussions, including time for doctors to answer questions from the audience.

1973

Aeration pumps, which keep water open all winter, began operation in Crystal Lake on October 22. This was after much arguing about, “what if some kid . . .” Thus began the annual migration of birds, especially the mallards and Canadian geese, to Crystal Lake, much to the delight of Robbinsdale residents who often find them sitting in local yards or crossing streets with their young. Previous to the beginning of aeration, Crystal Lake was dying due to the severe weed and algae problems, high nutrient levels and a critical leakage situation. In November, bentonite (volcanic clay mineral from Montana) was sprayed into the lake by helicopter. This made a definite improvement in the water loss. Ray Eckstrom, city engineer, said, “The crisis is over and I feel Crystal Lake will survive and continue to beautify the area.” So once again the lake was stocked with northerns, walleyes, and bluegills in April, 1974. This proved successful as the annual “winter kill” was over.

 

On November 3, 1973, fire destroyed the old Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 4061 West Broadway. Robbinsdale’s new fire equipment, a “snorkel,” was put to good use. The church built in 1911, had been used as classrooms and a gymnasium since 1959, when the new church at 41st Avenue and Hubbard was completed. In 1982, a new rectory was built on this site. Attempts to remodel the old rectory instead of demolishing it were negated by architects and contractors, citing substandard plumbing and dangerous wiring. There had been one fire in the old rectory.

1974

After five years of planning, upgrading Shoreline Drive, studying the water table, sealing the lake with bentonite, erecting a flag pole, sodding and tree planting, Shoreline Park was born. The Diggers donated $500 for beautification of the park and in April, not only cleaned up the area, but planted a wide variety of plants including highbush cranberry, winter berry holly, honey suckle, bittersweet, buffalo berry and others plus six flowering crab apple trees. The 1973 and 1974 presidents of the Diggers were Lois Clausen and Helen Schoenheider. The Civic Beautification Committee [which still exists) consisted of Orpha Kranz, Lois Clausen, Gladys Hyde, Virginia Kobe, Vera Leonard, Evalina Whaley and Helen Schoenheider. The Diggers have contributed much additional money over the years and routinely plant flowers to beautify the park.

Heidi Houck became one of the few girls in Robbinsdale and perhaps in the state who competed on a Little League team. Her coach, Dick Gould told the Minneapolis Star she was one of the best players on the team. Under pressure form lawsuits filed throughout the country the national Little League rescinded its boys only policy, but the decision came too late in the year for girls to sign up. Heidi and 14 other girls got to play because the Robbinsdale Little League board, before the national office voted 8-7 to let girls compete.

1975

The Henepin County Library Board decided the best days of the Robbinsdale Community Library were over and recommended that the building close after 70 years of service.  In 1973, Hennepin County had built a large, regional library called the Rockford Road Library, and could no longer support this historical, first library in suburban Hennepin County. Robbinsdale City Manager, George Delay proposed that volunteers could be found to cover the entire 18 hours the library would be open each week. Delay pointed out that circulation dropped when the library board cut the facilities hours from 45 to 18. Laura Landers, deputy director of the Hennepin County Library system said that although it was a very painful decision to close a library the new Rockford road library was less tahn 2 miles from the Robbinsdale Library and people in Robbinsdale just didn’t understand they were “over-libraried” in the northwest part of the county. Dispite a variety of last ditch efforts the library boards decision was final and the library closed in 1976. It had been a much-used local library with about 17,000 volumes and an annual circulation of over 102,000. It had been built by and was owned by the Robbinsdale Library Club while the City of Robbinsdale provided the maintenance. The last librarian to serve was Mrs. Virginia Lukaszewski, who had worked in the library since 1958.

In 1978, due to the efforts of Verne Baker, Councilman, this building was put on the National Register of Historic Buildings. A plaque on the building reads “Robbinsdale Community Center, Robbin Gallery—Declared National Historic Site 1978—Built in 1926 for use as a public library by Robbinsdale Library Club which was founded in 1904—Donated to the City of Robbinsdale for community use, 1977.

In 1975, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program began in Robbinsdale. This provided for senior citizens free income tax and property tax helpStephen Roskes, retired agent for the 1RS, is area coordinator. Robbmdale residents who worked on this program include Barbara Berg, Helen Blodgett and Norma Kelly.

In June, Robbinsdale voters approved a proposal to authorize the city to license restaurants and hotels to sell liquor by the drink. The vote was 992 to 507. Voters also approved Sunday liquor sales(881 to 543) and to limit the city’s total investment in bonds of the Robbinsdale Housing and Redevelopment Authority to 2 percent of the city’s annual real property valuation(992-375).

1976

On January 30, ground was broken for the Senior Citizen Building,

“Robbins Landing.” William Radloff, the senior citizen who lobbied for the

building, was Master of Ceremonies. Andrea Bonney Scott, a granddaughter of Andrew B. Robbins, was a guest. Robbins had built a home for his daughter, Amy Robbins Ware, on that site facing Crystal Lake. The Chairman of the Housing Authority, Norma Kelly, was pleased at the opening of the building in December, because this was the first big accomplishment of the HRA. The amassing of money from five sources and the clearing of the land which included the Hess and Ralph Linderholm service station on West Broadway, took about five years. Robert Boisclair was chosen as developer. The building has 110 units, is federally subsidized, with tenants paying a certain percentage of their income as rent. Mayor James McDonald presided at the opening ceremony.

On December 31, after a close election, ending in a tie between Walter Johnson and Merry (Mrs. Donald) Olson, a toss of a coin seated Merry on the City Council, the first woman to serve.

1977

Mrs. Alma K. Howard, civic leader and president of Howard Lumber Company died, January 21, at age 91. Her home, built about 1915, at 4100 Quail Avenue, was in many details typical of the Prairie School of Architecture, as first sketched by Frank Lloyd Wright. Her husband, Thomas, was president of the First Robbinsdale State Bank Home of T. P. Howard, 1921-53 and a charter member of the Lions Club. The home was later occupied by another bank president, Kenneth Sheehan of First Bank Robbinsdale.

In March, the last of the original houses in Robbinsdale was torn down. It had been built in 1854, it is believed, by J. S. Malbon on the south side of 40th Avenue, a third of a block west of Broadway. It was small, had an addition, and in the opinion of the Minnesota Historical Society wasn’t worth preserving. (Land office records record “U.S. to J. S. Malbon, Nov. 27, 1854 – 117.30 acres.”)

The Worden house at 4035 West Broadway was built by Dr. Seestrom in 1887. Russ Worden and his family moved into the home in 1940. The house was removed to make way for a dance studio and office building in 1977.

The Robbinsdale HRA, previously devoted only to the “scattered site” housing program and the senior citizen building, was now beginning economic redevelopment. Land, including that of the oldest house, was cleared for the Wilder office building and the Kay Marie and Carol Dance Studio. A state law, passed in 1971, permitted Robbinsdale, along with Minneapolis, to use tax increment bonding for the renewal of commercial areas.

The old Fink place at 449 40th1/2 was built in 1854. It was the oldest home in the city when it was removed to make way for a dance studio and an office building in 1977.

1978

Some citizens did not believe governmental assistance should be used for the redevelopment of the deteriorating business sector. The price of the land, with a building on it, was too high for private redevelopment and many businesses had moved out of town as there was no room for expansion. These citizens challenged the Housing Authority because of Amendment 8 in the City Charter, limiting the funds of the HRA. This was brought to the attention of the Charter Commission which asked for an opinion from the Attorney General who replied that redevelopment activities were regulated by detailed state statutes which could not be negated by any local Charter provisions. It was an interesting year for the Charter Commission and this paved the way for the relocation of First Bank Robbinsdale.

The Terrace was sold to the Plitt Theater Chain in 1978. A couple months later the marquee letters from the movie “Blood Brothers” were rearranged “Other Boobs” in the middle of the night.

On May 31, several women and one man interested in collecting and preserving items, pictures, and papers of historical interest and in researching and recording the history of Robbinsdale, met to form the Robbinsdale Historical Society. They were Christine Gave, Lucille Beebe, Iva Orsinger, Ruth Brown, Madalyn Carpenter, Evelyn and Esther Shumway, Carol Shumway Perrin, Kathryn Pervier, Helene Gerlach, Dagny Cause, Dorothy Hartig, Margaret Van Dyke, Virginia Lukaszewski, Georgette Boies, Gladys Hyde and Victor Hallberg. Virginia Lukazewski was the first president.

Robbinsdale renewed Arbor Day ceremonies in April. Mayor Harvey

Lange presided as a beautiful greenspire linden was planted at the Civic Center. The band played and school groups attended while oldsters stood around remembering younger days and were delighted to have a chance to again “shovel in some dirt.” This has become an annual event and credit should be given to Jonathan Steigler, our City Forrester. Except for the activities in 1904, 1912 and 1932, we could find no exact records for other Arbor Day celebrations. During World War II, such activities were suspended but now there is a renewed interest in trees because of the heavy losses due to Dutch Elm disease. Robbinsdale had lost about 2800 of its 8000 elms by 1982.

Robbinsdale Junior High School was closed. This saddened Robbinsdale residents because it was the “sentimental heart” of the district as it was the site of the original Parker School, built in 1890. The original front of the school as remodeled in 1913, had been preserved until the last remodelling. But declining enrollment necessitated the closing of one junior high in the district. Joy Johnson Robb, who had attended grades K-12 at this school, unsuccessfully led the fight against the closing. The School Board indicated that the high school would not be closed, so Robbinsdale was appeased.

Robert Stern, president of the Lions Club, presided at the Club’s 40th anniversary dinner. Forty-year charter pins were presented to E. J. Cooper, Art Starbird and Walter Sipe.

Robbinsdale received a Christmas gift from Helen Blodgett of $3,000. for playgrounrequipment and benches for Triangle Park. The benches were dedicated to the memory of her husband Riley Blodgett, charter member of the Housing Authority and to her grandfather, Isaac Patch, who persuaded the U.S. Postal Service to establish rural free delivery in 1890.

Robbinsdale, in June, received a federal grant of $133,333 for purchase of the Kieffer property south of June Avenue and west of the railroad tracks for 20.6 acres of land for conservation and recreation. Total cost was $400,000. Some of the land was donated.

1980

Census: 14,422—a decline of 2,423 since 1970, indicating that Robbinsdale was almost fully developed and had an increasingly large “senior” population.

On February 15th, a robber demanded money from a teller at Guaranty State Bank. Ed Manning, an off-duty police officer was alerted and caught the suspect a block away, recovering the money. Manning received a letter of commendation from Police Chief Roland Thurman. This same robber had held up several banks, including Guaranty about six months earlier.

Robbinsdale was one of ten Minnesota cities to be named “Tree City, USA” due to the overall tree management program and its concentration on Dutch Elm disease control and reforestation program. This award is given by the National Arbor Day Association, headquartered in Nebraska, and was presented by Governor Quie on April 9. Jonathan Stiegler, our City Forester, represented Robbinsdale. This award was again received in 1981 and 1982.

A few days after the Mt. St. Helen’s volcano emption on May 18, Robbinsdale residents were treated to unusual sunsets. Against the gray sky one could look directly at the sun as it set because much ash was still in the atmosphere.

At a special election, Robbinsdale residents voted for a complete “redoing” of all the streets. This was accomplished in 1980 and 1981. The citizens wisely decided to have this expense added to their taxes rather than billed as a special assessment.

In June, at the annual League of Minnesota Cities Conference, Mayor Harvey L. Lange was honored by being the recipient of the C. C. Ludwig Award which is given annually to a municipal official “who has the most outstanding record of public service above and beyond what is required by a nominee’s position.” Harvey Lange had been an alderman from 1970 and served as mayor from 1977 through 1980. He had been president of the Minnesota Mayors Association, was a Commissioner on the Robbinsdale Housing and Redevelopment Authority, had served on many committees at the federal, state, county and local levels and spent much time testifying before the State Legislature on preserving tax increment financing as a method of financing redevelopment activities. In Robbinsdale he worked to improve the city’s financial position which resulted in the city’s bond rating rising from a Bb to an A.

Eighty-nine percent of the registered voters in Robbinsdale voted at the presidential election compared to the national average of about 50%. The League of Women Voters sponsored candidates meetings and presidential TV debates. Raymond Mattson was elected Mayor. Carol Karki (2nd Ward) and William Blonigan (1st Ward) were elected to the city council. Robbinsdaie citizens seem to have a high political awareness.

In December, Laura Bloedow retired. She had served the city for 15 years as secretary to the Council, part-time election clerk, records and secretary to Police Chief “Bud” Thurman.

1981

Robbinsdale citizens and businesses responded with over $14,000 for new uniforms for the Marching Band so it could parade smartly in the Aquatennial Parade. Howard Groenke of First Robbinsdale Bank and Warren Thompson of Guaranty Bank were in charge of the fund raising.

In March, Applebaum’s Grocery was one of the first stores to open in the new mall between Montgomery Wards and the Terrace Theater. The land was obtained from Wards and the theater by American Income Properties of Illinois and a mutual parking agreement was made. George Murad, manager of Montgomery Ward, said, “the additional shops were welcome and portend great things for the business growth and expansion in Robbinsdale, Robbinsdale being an active, living, viable community.” Interest in the new Wards- Terrace Mall increased after Duff’s Smorgasboard and the Time-Out Arcade opened in 1982.

In May, the Robbinsdale Historical Society put on a beautiful display of antiques and historical pictures in Robbin Gallery. Again, in May, 1982, the display was enlarged and featured “Toys and Tools of Yesteryear” and on May 13, the Robbinsdale Concert Band played for the Open House. The display also featured the paintings of William LaBissoniere and Einar Dahl.

The Robbinsdale City Band, both Concert and Marching, gave two memorable concerts. One on May 28 and the other on October 22 in the high school auditorium in celebration of its 75th year. It dates its beginning to a 1906 concert by the Grenell Minstrels. A slide show reviewing Robbinsdale history was narrated by Wayne Murphey. Roger Thompson conducted

Lee School, the oldest elementary school, was closed because of decline ing enrollment in the school district. Much opposition to the closing surfaced in Robbinsdale. David and Barbara Southward, Duane and Karen Friederich,  Sue Leland and John Holtz led the fight to save Lee School because Lee had the the least amount of enrollment decline and the best facilities ( cafeteria, theater, gymnasium) of’ any grade school in the district. The town was in turmoil, but the school was closed.

By the fall of 1981, two thirds of the residents of School District 281 were angry when the school board was thinking of closing Cooper High School in New Hope and keeping Armstrong High School open, the newest but most expensive-to-operate school. The voters had approved an 8.5 mill increase because of the dire financial straits of the schools and could not understand keeping Armstrong open. Hundreds attended school board meetings. At first it was feared Robbinsdale High School would be closed but it was the only school in the eastern half of the district, the least expensive to operate and Superintendent Hood recommended that it remain open.

In December, Helen Schoenheider opened her beautifully Christmas decorated home for tour groups as a way to raise money for various organizations. Many church groups, the Robbinsdale Historical Society, the Monticello Historical Society, several antique clubs, the Flower Show Judges Council, a bottle club and many other groups visited her home over a two weeks period. Mrs. Schoenheider had been president of the Diggers Club in 1974 and 1975, and had won many flower arrangement awards.

1982

The month of January had record snowfalls of 17.1 and 18.5 inches. To. gether with the April 20 snowfall, we had 95 inches of snow compared with the yearly average of 45 inches. As usual the Robbinsdale snow plows were out even before the snow stopped and did an excellent job on our streets and alleys. Fortunately, according to Fire Chief, Thomas Sipe, there were no house fires. Most of the fire plugs were covered with snow and could only be found with metal detectors.

The School Board had hired a disinterested panel of three to make a recommendation as to which high school should be closed and on April 27, after months of being deadlocked, the School Board voted to close Robbinsdale Senior High School. Tensions ran high in Robbinsdale and the eastern part of the school district. The “coalition” which had been formed to save Cooper High School campaigned heavily for David Southward, Patricia L. Norby and John Schaefer and at the school board election, each got about 60% of the vote at a record-setting election on May 18, in which about 19.000 turned out to vote.

300 students walked out of class to protest the school board vote to close Robbinsdale High School school in 1982.

Two citizens, Joy Robb and Keith Moberg, filed suit charging violations of the open meeting law and the trial began June 21st. The judge merely fined each board member $100. These parents appealed to the Supreme Court. The ‘heartache” in Robbinsdale was supreme, having lost three schools in four years.

The First Bank Robbinsdale (new name) moved to its present location after two and a half years of site selection, planning and working with the Housing Authority. Kenneth C. Sheehan, president of the bank since 1974. supervised this development as the bank had completely outgrown its former facilities at 42nd and West Broadway. A week-long celebration, beginning June 12, included prizes, free coffee, cookies, Dairy Queens, concerts, square dancing, a City Band concert, a Stillwater Drum and Bugle Corps demonstration and a parade.

In 1983, the board members of the bank included William Corrick, Donald DuSchane, Grace Ketroser, William Kranz, Jr., Robert McMaster, Al SteeFe and newly elected Clifford J. Steinhauser, owner of Merwin Drug store. Retired members included Art Berg, John Brauch, Larry Haeg, Walter Sipe, Hariey Robinson and H. A. Shoonover.

After many years of attempting to solve the parking problem around North Memorial Hospital, and even a referendum in 1978, that defeated one proposal, the hospital finally built a second parking ramp. Payment of $300,000 for some city owned land and vacation of certain alleys, included past rent for use of city land for parking. Hopefully, the parking congestion on residential streets will be eased.

On October 30, the new park created at 41st and Xenia Avenues was formally dedicated and named for Norma DuBois Kelly, who has been on the Housing Authority since 1972, and has been active in preserving open space. Several trees were planted in the new park—a second Arbor Day activity. For several years many Robbinsdale residents had decried the fact that there was no park or open space west of Highway 100. Finally, with the help of federal money, this land was purchased. One old house was demolished and one was moved to 3839 Lee Avenue, was “rehabed” by Hennepin County Vo-Tech School, North Branch, and sold to a private owner in 1981.

 

The year 1982 ended with two big events. One was a paralyzing snow storm of 16.5 inches on December 28. The other was the presentation of a reverse referendum petition to the School Board on December 20 with about 5000 signatures requesting another election on the 8.5 mill increase approved in the fall of 1981. These citizens were surprised that the School Board, who had pleaded a shortage of money, would then close the most efficient and economically operated high school. The School Board disallowed the petition.

1983

On February 7, another petition, with over 6000 names was presented to the School Board. An election was held on March 21. There was vigorous campaigning on both sides of the issue. The 8.5 million dollar increase was upheld with almost 27,000 voters voting, setting a record for School District 281 elections.

On March 29, Walter Fehst, our City Manager, in his “State of the City” address to the members of the city’s commissions, mentioned future plans. There will be more redevelopment on West Broadway. North Memorial Hospital is planning some remodelling and modernization. The access road from County Road 9 going south onto Highway 100 will be completed. A committee studying the most appropriate use of Lee School or the site, has requested proposals for development from developers.

Robbinsdale residents are depressed because we consider the closing of all but one school catastrophic for our town. Future historians may be able to record brighter news in the decade of the 80’s for this interesting town which is so loved by so many.

On April 19, 1983, Robbinsdale had its 90th birthday!