The Woodmen Camp

The Modern Woodmen of America (M.W.A.) was founded in 1883 by Indiana businessman, Joseph Cullen Root. A member of several fraternal organizations, Root came up with the idea for the M.W.A. after listening to a … Read more

A Trailblazing Highway and Its Roadside Parks

Graeser Park in 1940

Minnesota’s Highway 100, built during the Great Depression, was a stunning achievement in early highway design and construction. The new highway, a mile west of the Minneapolis city limits, extended from Edina on the south … Read more

Rural Free Delivery

THE ISAAC PATCH FAMILY This picture of the Isaac Patch family was taken in 1892. Isaac Patch Jr., whom we are interested in, is second from the right – back row. He came to Minnesota … Read more

The ’60s (as in nineteen-sixty-three)

As seen on Facebook: Rod Eaton (RHS ’63) shared the photo shown below from the early days of The Underbeats. (For those who don’t know, it was one of the most successful and enduring ’60s bands to come out of Robbinsdale.) Rod says It’s one of his favorite band pictures.

Four tenage boys around a car
The Underbeats, 1963—one of the best bands to come out of Robbinsdale. Rod Eaton at left. Photo credit: Rod Eaton

As Rod tells it,”This was spring 1963. We’re in front of my family’s Robbinsdale house posing with Ray’s customized car, Thumper. We’re about to leave for our first out-of-town gig. I don’t remember where we went. It might have been just a two-hour drive but it was the start of an amazing adventure.

“Things were very simple in those early days. We had no PA system – no band boys [known today as ‘roadies’].

This was before we bought a van, se we needed at least a couple cars to carry the amps and drums. Some close friends of the group drove along with us. Must have been quite a caravan. Here come the Stompin’ Underbeats!”

And here is their very first single! Side B to this was Route 66. 1964 – Garrett Records # 4004

 

 

The Schuller Hardware Store

Charles Schuller, started in the Farm Machinery business with Mr. Garrett in Swift’s Old building on April 30, 1897. He was born and raised on a farm in Crystal. After 1iving elsewhere for a while … Read more

Mr. John Trump

Mr. John Trump and family came from Iowa to Robbinsdale in 1890. He broke ground for a new store in April of 1890. He operated a general merchandise store on West Broadway where Twin City … Read more

Lars Nasett’s Store

Lars Nasett came from Wisconsin in 1887 with an uncle, I. J. Nasett, who was drawing the plans for the Lutheran Seminary. His wife and family came a year later. Lars worked with his uncle … Read more

Edith and Her Sisters

The oldest of the Robbins girls, Edith was born on July 20, 1871. She taught school for a short time – at East and West High Schools in Minneapolis. In 1899 was teacher and assistant … Read more

Adelaide Robbins

Adelaide Julia Walker was born in Xenia, Ohio. Her father went West in the Gold Rush, leaving her mother with four small children. He and his wagon train never returned. It is thought they all … Read more