Welcome to Robbinsdale Revisited, connecting you with local history all the way back to the 1850s. Here on our podcast, you’ll find the stories that tell the tale of our city. These episodes explore neighborhoods, schools, organizations, businesses, and a colorful cast of characters from the past.
It is the mission of Robbinsdale Historical Society (https://robbinsdale.org/) to collect, preserve, and tell the story of Robbinsdale, Minnesota. This podcast will shed light on the history of the streetcar suburb Andrew B. Robbins dreamed up so long ago.
This podcast was created by Pete Richie and Crystal Boyd.
Theme music courtesy of Gabe Barnett and them Rounders.
Many Thanks to CCX Media and Adam Estrem for production help and support.
Episode 53: Robbinsdale was established, platted, and planned as a streetcar suburb in the late nineteenth century by Andrew B. Robbins, who understood that reliable transit to Minneapolis was essential for attracting residents. The local transit system evolved significantly over time, transitioning from horse-drawn and gasoline-powered cars to an electric line established through a popular village vote in 1897. These streetcars served as a fixture of daily community life and commuting until the late 1940s, when bus replacements ultimately concluded the streetcar era.
17 Oct 2026
Wirth It!
Episode 52: Take a hike through the parklands and green spaces where Robbinsdale, Minneapolis, and Golden Valley all come together! This episode uncovers everything from garbage dumps, artificial waterfalls, and dance-hall breweries to clothing-optional beaches, epic ski-jumping, and the trailblazing civil rights icons who fought to integrate our local golf courses. We'll have a seat on Sunset Hill and tell you the tale. It's quite a view!
11 Oct 2026
A Salute to Schaper
Episode 52: Explore the history of the iconic "Cootie" toy and its inventor, William Herbert "Herb" Schaper, who launched his toy empire from his Robbinsdale home. Created in the late 1940s after Schaper whittled a wooden fishing lure into a bug-like creature, The Game of Cootie grew from a basement operation assembled by neighborhood women into an international classic that sold over 50 million copies. We highlight Schaper Manufacturing's legacy—including memorable games like Stadium Checkers and Skunk, the infamous 1963 "Great Toy Warehouse Heist," and the city's steel Cootie statue celebrating its local heritage.
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