The Point

The Crystal Lake Point Saloon, better known as the Point, was built by the Minneapolis Brewing Company in 1903. The proprietor was Jack C. Thielen. The two story frame structure faced West Broadway, better known … Read more

The Famous Fin-Fare

Fin-Fare Foods was founded by Marvin Ritland in 1964, after about a year and a half, he sold the business to Bill and Joni Jongquist. Back then folks could buy a pound of beer-battered baby … Read more

License or No License

The important question that now confronts the people of this village is, would it be for the best interests of the village to issue licenses to the saloons now in existence in the lower end … Read more

Losing the Library

1975 The Henepin County Library Board decided the best days of the Robbinsdale Community Library were over and recommended that the building close after 70 years of service.  In 1973, Hennepin County had built a … Read more

Robbinsdale was Someplace Else

1967 The Crystal Lake Water Study Committee was appointed by the City Council to study the problems of Crystal Lake which, by now, was considered a “dead” lake. Frank Litherland was elected chairman. Others on … Read more

Robbins Answers the Final Summons

1910 Census 765 (a 4% increase since 1900) The decade of the “teens” showed continued growth of our small village. Another church, a new bank, a P.T.A., concerts, a new band stand, a bath house, … 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

Westphal Post 251

Westphal Post 251 of the American Legion was organized on October 31st, 1919. It was named in honor of Gottlieb L. Westphal, who was killed in action on October 16th on the Sommerance St. Juvin … Read more

Bofferding’s Point

For at least a generation a little tavern on the edge of Crystal Lake greeted folks on the way into Robbinsdale’s business district. I’m not sure where they put the band, but the little place … Read more