The Parkway Motor Hotel

Some folks say the estimated number of motels in America tripled between 1940 and 1960. People on the move with money to spend found modern motels with well-appointed rooms out on the edges of just about every metropolitan area. Air conditioning, television, radios, tiled bathrooms, easy chairs, coin operated vibrating beds, swimming pools and movie … Read more

Maple Plain State Bank Then and Now

On May 5, 1905, John Haven, Austin B. Morse and E. J. Cranston set up and the State Bank of Maple Plain. The first bank building was built the same year. The bank assumed the assets and liabilities of the State Bank of Lyndale, Minnesota in 1927. A new facility was built on the east … Read more

On Christmas Lake

The old home that became the Glen Morris Inn on Christmas Lake was built in the late 1800’s for Manitoba Railroad civil engineer, Charles J. Morris. The original two story residence was described in Diamond’s Tourist newspaper as, “one of the most beautiful estates in the area.” Morris owned 1000 acres on Christmas Lake and … Read more

The Minnetonka Electric Line

The season at Lake Minnetonka, meaning by that when the full electric train service from the Twin Cities, as well as the express boat service is in effect, begins May 15 and ends September 30. Every day is a good day to visit the lake, and there is always something going on to entertain and … Read more

The Tonka Bay Hotel

Fancy balls, dancing parties, musicales and concerts, banquets, conventions, yacht races, rowing regattas are a frequent occurrence at Tonka Bay. Located near the hotel a handsome roller skating rink, sailboat, rowboats, launches and fishing tackle that can be rented, and  bathing and fishing facilities are excellent. Big Island the beautiful is close to ‘The Tonka … Read more

Up Where the Sun Shines

Have you seen my ofiice at Columbia Heights this year, with its beautiful park? If not, you ought to take a little trip and see what a wonderful place Columbia Heights is getting to be. I infer, from words dropped here and there, that the average person, in thinking of Columbia Heights, thinks of it … Read more

Night and Day at the Terrace Theatre

The Terrace Theatre in Robbinsdale opened its doors on May 25th, 1951. Designed by the architectural firm of Liebenberg & Kaplan, for theater owners, Sydney and William Volk, the Terrace was advertised as “America’s finest theatre at your very door”. The new theater was acclaimed in newspapers, magazines, trade journals, and industry publications. The Volk … Read more

The Elwood Hotel Then and Now

The Robin Hotel in 1980 and 2014 The Elwood Hotel was already 15 years old when Allan and Agnes MacDonald bought the place in 1932. the couple ran the hotel as a boarding house for 25 years. The rooms were rented to railroad men, older people and two families from Holland. There were ten rooms … Read more

This Town is not Named After a Bird!

Nestled into a metropolitan area with suburbs like Golden Valley, Richfield and Eden Prairie most people think Robbinsdale was named for a bird. They are wrong. Robbinsdale was named for man, a b-i-i-i-i-g man! A Civil War veteran, politician, entrepreneur was he… Andrew B. Robbins carved the village of Robbinsdale out of the surrounding countryside … Read more