Robbinsdale, incorporated as a city in 1938, has a long and varied background, but not always under the name of Robbinsdale.In 1860 the area was organized as the Township of Crystal Lake with a total vote of 55. The city of Minneapolis in 1886 made an effort to annex all townships bordering on its limits, and to prevent this the Village of Crystal was incorporated. As the years went by dissatisfaction resulted between those who lived in the village and those m the more sparsely settled areas. A special election was held in March, 1893 and the Village of Crystal was dissolved. In the very next month, April, the Village of Robbinsdale was organized and continued as such until incorporation in 1938 when the form of government was changed to city.
Robbinsdale comprises 1758 acres or almost three square miles of rolling level land laid out in the grid pattern except for a small area in the south. The city is next to the northwest edge of Minneapolis and on all other sides is bounded by Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and Golden Valley, Physically, Robbinsdale has been influenced by the presence of Crystal Lake, located on the east side, plus Twin and Ryan Lakes on its northern perimeter. United States Highway 52 bisects the city north and south, providing quick and easy transportation to Minneapolis. On the western edge State Highway 100 runs through Robbinsdale, again providing easy access to Minneapolis plus other suburban communities. The Great Northern railroad tracks also run from north to south through the city. There is a freight station, but no passenger trains pass through.
Twin City Lines serves Robbinsdale running busses through the residential and commercial area on regular schedules for a nominal fare. The North Hennepin Transit Company also provides transportation for residents on the north and west perimeter of Robbinsdale. Within the commercial center of the city, free on and off street parking is available. Robbinsdale is served by a central business district consisting of super-markets, many retail stores featuring consumer goods, and service facilities including the U.S. post office.
In 1966 Montgomery Ward opened a large retail store with ample parking space, just south of the Robbinsdale business center; this additional outlet augments the shopping facilities available to residents of the area.Over the years Robbinsdale has become a fine residential suburb in the metropolitan area. It has little or no industry, 49.6% of the developed land being used for homes. The majority of homes are owned and paid for. There is a favorable balance of single housing in relation to apartments. Single dwellings, ranging in price from $14,000 to $40,000, are dispersed throughout the city. New and attractive apartments are also available, from efficiency units to 2 and 3 bedrooms.
The city of Robbinsdale is serviced by a municipal water system drawing water from five wells located in various areas of the city. Two elevated tanks, two ground storage tanks, and three filter plants, together with a complete water distribution system, supply water to all residents. A municipal sewage system is provided with the effluent being disposed of by Minneapolis on a contract basis. The Public Works Department is responsible for all street and alley maintenance, snow removal, and for maintenance and repair of storm sewers. Streets are black-topped throughout with main thoroughfares in cement.Weekly garbage disposal is provided out of a general tax levy.
Robbinsdale is headquarters for the third largest school system in the state of Minnesota. The school district is composed of the three complete villages or cities of Robbinsdale, Crystal, and New Hope, and parts of Golden Valley, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Plymouth Township. Extending from Minneapolis on tb6 east to open farmlands on the west, the 30 square miles in the district are ideally situated in the Twin City area.
Standing at one of the highest points in Robbinsdale, North Memorial Hospital is an eight story hospital complex covering 5 acres and allowing expansion to 567 beds. Currently employing 937 with a medical and dental staff of 225, North Memorial is easily the biggest business in the area, with the exception of the School District. It is a fully accredited hospital providing all medical and surgical services. The Emergency Receiving Department handles the majority of emergencies in this area and is the most extensive in personnel and equipment. Just across the street from North Memorial is the Oakdale Medical Center connected by an underground tunnel to the hospital. A three story building with a capacity of fifty doctors and dentists adds to the fine medical facilities already available in the community. Located in the heart of Robbinsdale and easily accessible to public transportation is the Crystal Lake Nursing Home. Licensed for 168 patients, its newest wing completed in 1965, Crystal Lake offers professional nursing care for the aged, invalids, and convalescents. Occupational and physical therapy are available. Together with spacious grounds and lighted patios, this nursing home is^ an asset to the area. Robbinsdale Library building is a threefold partnership with the city, the Robbinsdale Library Club, and Hennepin County Library system participating. Over 15,000 volumes are in the permanent library in the Minneapolis system on loan. All library services are free. A room is available for any Robbinsdale civic group free of charge.
Any person 21 years or more who has been a citizen of the United States for three months, a resident of Minnesota for six months and of the precinct for 30 days preceding an election shall be entitled to vote. One may register at City Hall 20 days prior to election and any time after election. Registration is permanent. Absentee voting is permitted. Primaries are held the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September; the general election takes place the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. An otherwise qualified new resident having lived in Minnesota for 30 days may vote for President and Vice President on a special ballot. However, he must make application in person before the County Auditor not less than 30 days before such election.
The Park Board conducts an extensive program of activities during the summer months, ranging from arts and crafts to baseball and swimming, for a token fee. Likewise, in the winter the Park Board sponsors speed skating, figure skating classes, and hockey at various parks. There are over 48 different activities in which youths and adults may participate year round.
Robbinsdale has a professional volunteer fire department which consists of 28 members and operates on a 24 hour a day schedule. Twenty of these volunteer members are able to respond to a daytime alarm in 30 seconds and three rigs can go out. From December to April three men are on duty at night with sleeping quarters and eating facilities provided. The fire department is equipped with one rescue truck and four pumpers capable of delivering 3,500 gallons a minute. Firemen other than the Chief, Marshall, and Assistant Chief, are paid on an hourly basis. A fire prevention program has been in progress for many years. School children on the second grade level, through films and lectures, are alerted to the dangers of fire; a tour of the fire department is the climax of the session. The fire department has a mutual aid agreement with ten communities in the event of a major emergency.
Nearly $3,000 is spent each year for Christmas lights and decorations by the merchants and business and professional people of Robbinsdale. While this is taken for granted by many, this expense is borne by the businesses of Robbinsdale to show pride in their city and to encourage people to trade in Robbinsdale. Financial and physical support is also given to the “Whiz Bang Days” Committee of Robbinsdale, which each year produces an outstanding 4th of July celebration.
