Bring on the Whiz Bang

1919 The Security Bank was incorporated December 16, 1918, opening for business January 16, 1919, in the same one-story building which had housed its predecessors, two banks which were once described by Mrs. Stillman as … Read more

Through Service Streetcars

1914   The November 1, 1914, Minneapolis Tribune describes the new through street-car service just inaugurated. ‘It leaves Hennepin and Sixth Street and arrives thirty minutes later in Robbinsdale, at the end of a 3800-foot … Read more

Souvenir and Sacred Heart

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 … Read more

Trouble with a capital “T”

1909   Perly Malbon was a mail carrier for many years. As the train slowed down, mail bags were tossed off, piled into a cart and pushed a block to the post office for sorting. … Read more

Good Old Gus

1891 Mr. Robbins was interested in attracting people to the village and in order to make it more convenient for those who might live here and continue to carry on business in the city, he … Read more

Our Little Boomtown

1889   Mr. Robbins’ second business in Robbinsdale was a street car factory. It was near the car barn on Hubbard Avenue. The new factory began work on October 15, 1889, and by December 19, … Read more

Anton Wolf’s Hotel

1870 The population of Crystal Lake township was 718. Besides farming, a few industries developed. The first was a shingle mill at Shingle Creek, built in 1852 (everyone needed shingles!) and then a flour mill … Read more

Olson’s Grocery Then and Now

Olson’s Grocery on Yates was one of at least seven little corner stores nestled in Robbinsdale’s sleepy neighborhoods. Back before anybody ever heard of Hy-Vee, Rainbow, or Red Owl these were the places Mom sent … Read more

A Swift Postcard

    Born in Boston in 1848, George Swift came to Minnesota with his parents. At the age of 13, Swift enlisted as a drummer boy at Fort Snelling. During the War Between the States … Read more