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 beutiful 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.
This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett.