The late 1880s were busy wins for this area. Haakon Christensen ( Pictured above with his son George) was born in Oslo Norway in 1859. He first visited Robbinsdale to attend the laying of the cornerstone of the Lutheran Seminary. He returned shortly after, bought land from Andrew B. Robbins and built a blacksmith shop at the south east corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Shingle Creek Road, now West Broadway and 42nd. Christensen was actively engaged in business here for over 50 years. He shod thousands of horses, repaired farm tools etc. He fulfilled his civic duties as well by serving on the villgae board of trustees for at least 20 years. According to the Robbinsdale Post, December 8, 1938, Christensen was doing business at the age of 79. He was only absent from his little shop on the corner twice. The shop closed for a couple days in 1922 after a horse kicked Christensen in the head and he closed for a three weeks to visit Norway in 1930. After Haakon passed away in March 1945, the black smith shop was torn down to make way for a new bank building.
where was his house? where are his descendants?