Robbinsdale, Minnesota

History of Robbinsdale, Minnesota

Robbinsdale is a city steeped in rich history, dating back to the early settlement of Hennepin County. Shortly after the Minnesota Territorial Legislature created Hennepin County in 1852, John C. Bohanon filed the first claim in the Township of Crystal Lake. Railroads reached the area in 1880, and a flag station was established near the farm of Alfred Parker. Six years later, Parker donated land for a depot, and the community that grew around it came to be known as Parker's Station.

The city is named after Andrew B. Robbins, a prominent developer who built a 16-room Queen Anne-style mansion on Lower Twin Lake in 1890. Robbins found investors to build the Hubbard Specialty Manufacturing Company, which produced chairs and wheelbarrows. Unable to convince the Minneapolis Street Railway Company to extend a streetcar line, Robbins organized the North Side Street Railway Company in 1891 and built his own line from the Minneapolis city limits to Robbinsdale Park.

On April 19, 1893, the 2.9-square-mile Village of Robbinsdale was officially organized. From 1888, new industries moved in and a large Lutheran seminary was built, establishing Robbinsdale as both a residential community and an industrial hub.

Captain Billy's Whiz Bang & Fawcett Publications

Robbinsdale gained national fame through Wilford "Captain Billy" Fawcett, who in 1919 published the first issue of his humorous, slightly risqué magazine "Captain Billy's Whiz Bang" from offices above Security State Bank in downtown Robbinsdale. The publication became an instant success, eventually leading to the founding of Fawcett Publications, which later moved to Minneapolis and then New York. In 1929, Fawcett launched Modern Mechanics (later renamed Mechanix Illustrated). The city's pulp magazine history is celebrated annually during Whiz Bang Days, Robbinsdale's beloved summer festival established in 1948.

North Memorial Health Hospital

In 1940, Dr. Samuel Samuelson built Victory Hospital on property he owned in Robbinsdale. The original marble-faced, three-story building had five operating rooms and 70 beds. In 1954, Victory Hospital was reorganized as a nonprofit and renamed North Memorial. Over the decades, it evolved from a 30-bed facility to a 518-bed medical center. Today, North Memorial Health Hospital is one of Minnesota's four Level I trauma centers and operates AirCare, an air medical transport service with multiple flight bases around the state.

Historic Lilac Way

Between 1940-1941, the 12-mile section of Highway 100 from Edina to Robbinsdale was completed, earning the nickname "Lilac Way" due to the lilac bushes planted along its length. In 1941, the Robbinsdale Rock Garden Roadside Parking Area (now Graeser Park) was built by WPA laborers and skilled masons, becoming the last and largest of seven Lilac Way parks. In 2024, Graeser Park was nominated for a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics & Statistical Information

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Robbinsdale is a diverse and growing community in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Population Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Robbinsdale totaled 14,646 people across 6,505 households, with an average of 2.19 people per household. The city continues to maintain its small-town feel while being adjacent to the northwest portion of Minneapolis.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

• White (Non-Hispanic): 64.3%
• Black or African American: 18.5%
• Hispanic or Latino: 10.6%
• Asian: 2.9%
• Two or More Races: 6.7%
• Native American: 0.2%

Age Distribution

• Under 18: 21.0%
• 18-64: 60.9%
• 65 and Older: 18.1%

Economic Indicators

• Estimated Per Capita Income: $48,865
• Median Home Value: $287,922
• Homeownership Rate: 66.5%
• Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
• High School Graduation Rate: 93.2%
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 38.0%

Government & Politics

The City of Robbinsdale operates under a Council-Manager form of government, established by the City Charter adopted on November 8, 1938. The Robbinsdale City Council sets policy direction while the City Manager oversees day-to-day administration and city operations.

City Government Structure

• Form of Government: Council-Manager Plan (Charter City)
• City Classification: Third-Class City (population 10,001-20,000)
• City Council: Mayor and 4 Council Members (each representing a Ward)
• Full-Time Employees: 75
• Part-Time Employees: 25

Government Contacts

State & Federal Representation

• U.S. Congressional District: Minnesota's 5th District, represented by Ilhan Omar
• Minnesota State Senator: Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope)
• Minnesota State Representative: Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley)
• Hennepin County Commissioner: Jeffrey Lunde

Companies & Economy

Robbinsdale features a diverse business community with retail, service, and healthcare sectors driving the local economy. The majority of businesses are located along West Broadway and County Road 81 (Bottineau Boulevard) between 40th and 42nd Avenues North.

Major Employers

Retail & Shopping

Top Employment Sectors

• Health Care & Social Assistance: 1,214 employees
• Retail Trade: 946 employees
• Manufacturing: 897 employees
• Office & Administrative Support: 978 employees
• Management Occupations: 935 employees

Business Resources

Schools & Education

Robbinsdale is served by Robbinsdale Area Schools (Independent School District 281), an award-winning district committed to academic excellence. The district serves all or parts of seven communities with more than 100,000 residents in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis.

Public Schools in Robbinsdale

District High Schools

Nearby Colleges & Universities

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities – Minneapolis, MN (approximately 6 miles) – FT Enrollment: 43,506
• Augsburg University – Minneapolis, MN (approximately 7 miles) – FT Enrollment: 2,954
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College – Brooklyn Park/Coon Rapids campuses
• Dunwoody College of Technology – Minneapolis, MN

Transportation & Public Transit

Robbinsdale benefits from excellent connectivity with multiple transportation options connecting residents to the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Major Roads & Highways

• Minnesota State Highway 100 – North-south corridor through the city (historic "Lilac Way")
• County Road 81 (Bottineau Boulevard) – Major commercial corridor
• County Road 8 – East-west connector
• County Road 9 – Secondary route through the city
• 36th Avenue North – Major retail corridor

Public Transportation – Metro Transit

METRO Blue Line Extension (Planned)

The METRO Blue Line Extension will bring light rail service to Robbinsdale as part of a 13.4-mile extension connecting Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. The extension will provide:

• 13 new stations including one in Robbinsdale
• Single-seat ride to downtown Minneapolis, MSP Airport, and Mall of America
• Fast, frequent, all-day service across the METRO system

Airport Access

Other Transportation Services

• Metro Mobility: Shared-ride service for certified riders unable to use fixed-route buses
• Transit Link: Shared-ride public transportation for areas with infrequent service (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday-Friday)
• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate throughout Robbinsdale
• Electric Vehicle Charging: 10 EV charging stations at Hy-Vee (8 Tesla Superchargers, 2 Level 2)

Parks & Outdoors

Robbinsdale is home to 14 parks encompassing 110 acres of land – an impressive allocation for a city of just 2.98 square miles. The parks feature sports facilities, playgrounds, trails, and water access, ensuring outdoor amenities for all residents.

Major Parks

Additional Parks

• Triangle Park: 1 acre – picnic tables, small baseball field, playground, open area
• Humphrey Park: 3.8 acres – picnic area, paths & trails
• Kelly Park: 1.8 acres – playground, half basketball court, picnic area, horseshoe court
• Spanjers Park: Sports facilities including tennis courts and softball fields

Water Access & Lakes

• Crystal Lake: Public boat launch, Crystal Lake Regional Trail (connects to Medicine Lake and Rush Creek Regional Trails)
• Twin Lakes (Lower Twin Lake): Public boat launch, iPaddle Port equipment-sharing station, regional trail system
• Ryan Lake: Public fishing pier

Recreation Facilities

Arts, Culture & Events

Whiz Bang Days – Annual Summer Festival

Whiz Bang Days is Robbinsdale's beloved annual summer celebration, named after the famous "Captain Billy's Whiz Bang" magazine that was published in downtown Robbinsdale in 1919. The festival typically takes place in July and features:

• Grand Parade: Featuring local businesses, school groups, and community organizations
• Ice Cream Social: Hosted by Citizens Independent Bank
• Lakeside Block Party: Live music, food trucks, and entertainment at Lakeview Terrace Park
• Fireworks Spectacular: Visible throughout Robbinsdale
• Ambassador Coronation: Scholarship program for Robbinsdale Area Schools students
• Car Show: Classic and custom vehicles on display
• Softball Tournaments: Community athletic competitions
• Kids Activities: Bounce houses, face painting, children's entrepreneur market

Website: robbinsdalewhizbangdays.org

Robbinsdale Historical Society

The Robbinsdale Historical Society preserves and shares the city's rich history through its museum, archives, and community events. Their collection includes historic photos, documents, and artifacts from Robbinsdale's development.

Robbinsdale City Band

Formed in the early 1900s, the all-volunteer Robbinsdale City Band continues to perform at community events including the annual Whiz Bang Days celebration and concerts at Graeser Park.

Farmers Markets

The Lakeview Terrace Farmer's Market operates seasonally, offering fresh local produce, artisan goods, and community gathering space.

Nearby Cultural Attractions

• Minneapolis Institute of Art – World-class art museum (approximately 8 miles)
• Paisley Park – Prince's famous recording studio and museum in Chanhassen
• Walker Art Center – Contemporary art museum in Minneapolis
• Theodore Wirth Park – Large regional park in neighboring Golden Valley

Famous Landmarks & Points of Interest

Notable People from Robbinsdale

Robbinsdale has been home to several notable individuals across various fields:

• David Backes (born 1984) – NHL hockey player, former captain of the St. Louis Blues
• Wilford "Captain Billy" Fawcett – Publisher of Captain Billy's Whiz Bang magazine and founder of Fawcett Publications
• Angeline Appel (born 1993) – Actress known for Step Up Revolution (2012), The Unhealer (2020), and Vandal (2019)
• Ryan Bauer-Walsh – Actor, singer, and visual artist
• James C. Heap (1935–2013) – Minnesota State Representative
• Philando Castile (1983–2016) – His death during a traffic stop in 2016 became a nationally significant civil rights case

Wrestling Heritage

Robbinsdale has a rich wrestling history, celebrated annually during Whiz Bang Days with wrestling exhibitions paying homage to the city's athletic traditions.

Additional Local Resources

Emergency Services

• Emergency: 911
• Robbinsdale Police (Non-Emergency): (763) 531-1260
• North Memorial Emergency Room: (763) 520-5200

Utilities

Motor Vehicle & Passport Services

Community Organizations

• Robbinsdale Lions Club: Community service organization active in Whiz Bang Days and local charitable efforts
• PRISM Food Shelf: Local food assistance organization collecting donations during community events
• Robbinsdale Chamber of Commerce: Supporting local businesses and economic development

Helpful Links

• City of Robbinsdale Official Website: robbinsdalemn.gov
• Robbinsdale Area Schools: rdale.org
• Hennepin County: hennepin.us
• Metro Transit: metrotransit.org
• Wikipedia – Robbinsdale, Minnesota: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbinsdale,_Minnesota