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.
This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett. The postcard at the top of the post is courtesy of Jeff Vick.