The town hall was built for the Crystal township from plans drawn by I. J. Nasett, uncle of Lars Nasett. Ground was broken September 24, 1888. It was opened and dedicated December 11th, 1888 with a chicken supper. There were speeches by Elder Woodworth and F. P. Lane – supper, then a dance – about 250 attended. The land was donated by Alfred Parker and his father-in-law, Jothan S. Malbon – with the provision that it should always be used for village purposes. When the Village of Crystal was dissolved in 1892, Alfred Parker purchased the Hall for $500 and the lots reverted back to the Parkers and Malbons. On March 24, 1893 when a petition asking for the incorporation of Robbinsdale was presented to the county board, the village had a population of 375. The first meeting of the new council was held April 19, 1893. A. B. Robbins was president, N. F. Russ, clerk, trustees were L. Nasett, Alfred Parker and H. G. Stubb. Parker offered the hall to the Village for $500 – but the Malbon family received an additional $2,000 for the two lots. In 1936 $5,000 addition was made. It was demolished in 1954. It stood on West Broadway about where McDonald’s is. The room above the Town Hall was used for many things – the Salvation Army held Sunday afternoon and evening services there. The Congregational Church used it Sunday mornings. School entertainments and plays used its tiny stage. Voters had to climb the long, dark and steep stairs in the rear. to cast their ballots. The Library issued books from a room on the main floor. early fire equipment was sheltered in the shed behind it.
This material was gathered from the North Hennepin Post and the diaries of Ellen M. Bisbee, (sister of J. P. Shumway and Nathan F. Russ J. P. Shumway). It was compiled and edited by Evelyn and Esther Shumway for a Robbinsdale Historiocal Society slide show in 1980.
