I have always thought of Robbinsdale as a little sister to North Minneapolis, or maybe I should say a Siamese twin, because it is hard to tell where one begins and the other leaves off.
It has a pretty name, but how did it escape being called “Robbin’s Lane” or “Robbin’s Nest?” Well, it has nothing to do with birds, but with a man named Andrew B. Robbins, who around 1887 was so captivated with the beauty of the area, that he started buying massive amounts of land to be developed for homes and businesses. He platted Robbinsdale Park, visualizing it as a #1 suburb of Minneapolis. Strangely enough, the area at that time was called by three names: Crystal Village, Parker Station (for the railroad) and Robbinsdale Park. The government put its foot down and declared that if anyone wanted their mail delivered, they’d better settle on one name, so the name Robbinsdale stuck.
Preceding the beginning of Robbinsdale, the whole area began as a farming community and the somewhat indifferent farmers cared more about their crops than any civil entity. However, by 1860 they held a caucus at the home of J.S. Malbon to organize the Township of Crystal Lake and the history of the area began. One of the early signs of stability was the building of a school on the Horatio Stillman farm at 4342 Adair Avenue. This became the focal point of all social events in the area.
By 1870, the population of Crystal Lake Township was 718. By 1880 the railway was moving through the small hamlet and it was considered a flag stop (only stopping if someone flagged it down.) In 1887 Mr. Alfred Parker donated land for a railway stop to be known as Parker’s Station.
It was about this time when it was heard that Minneapolis planned to annex all the bordering townships to secure more taxable property. The citizens of Crystal Lake Township rose in protest and secured a legislative act in 1887 allowing the incorporation of the Village of Crystal.
In 1888, after 13 new homes had been built in the area, businesses soon appeared. Some of the first were Nassett’s General Store, Haakon Christiansen’s Blacksmith Shop, Swift’s Drug Store, Russ’ Grocery and Trump’s General Store. For the next 10 years retail businesses and manufacturing plants flourished in the community.
Also, in 1885 an important but informal meeting was held at the blacksmith shop, with everyone sitting on nail kegs. It was to discuss the building of a new Village Hall on West Broadway at 41st and 1/2 St. The plans were carried out and the building dedicated.
Another step in growing up was the birth of “The Little White Church” in 1889. This is what they called the First Congregational Church, and it was built on land donated by the prominent Shumway family at 42nd, east of the main street.
By 1890 there was a need for a “quality” school. The Parker School (red brick, eight room facility) was constructed and served District 24 for many years. In 1913 rooms were added providing a solid K-9 educational base. Known as Robbinsdale Public School, it was the foundation of the educational system.
The population of Robbinsdale numbered 1,369 in 1920. Business flourished, the school system expanded, a public library and a volunteer fire department were established. A city band was destined to become an organization of national significance.
In 1937 the first senior high school opened with E.J. Cooper and Milo Mielke guiding the new school into one of the finest in Minnesota. Also, during the 1930s the Village of Robbinsdale came of age and voted to become a city. In 1938, Joseph Roche was the first mayor.
Oh, changes take place. Old familiar buildings are gone. New shopping centers change the face of the old “main street.” Senior citizen centers have been built, pools have replaced the old swimming beaches, new faces are seen on West Broadway. But the thing that remains the same—the Robbinsdale City Band still plays on and the Robbinsdale Water Tower still stands strong!
Note: Taken from the writings of Dorothy Hartig, Helen Blodgett, the Robbinsdale Historical Society, the Post newspapers and Wayne F. Murphy.