Did you know Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale was once much larger? Farmers used Crystal Lake Avenue to bring produce into Minneapolis in the 1880s. Imagine long lines of carts twenty deep struggling up the steep hill. Crystal Lake is a key part of Robbinsdale’s history. It’s more than just a pretty lake. This sparkling body of water has been a vital part of the community for over a century.
Robbinsdale’s council used money from the “Saloon Fund” in 1893 to cut down that very hill. The fill from the project shrank Crystal Lake. But the lake’s clear water proved valuable. In the 1890s Crystal Lake became a hub for ice harvesting. William Randall and George “Don” Johnson started Robbinsdale Ice and Fuel Co. They cut ice on Crystal Lake. The Crystal Ice Company and Cedar Lake Ice Company soon followed. Thomas Girling’s newspaper reported that Crystal Lake ice was considered the best around Minneapolis.
Andrew B Robbins had big plans for Crystal Lake. He envisioned Crystal and Twin Lakes rivaling Minneapolis’ popular lakes. He believed Crystal Lake’s size would compare to Lake Harriet. He even said Twin Lake was twice as big. A canal connecting Crystal and Twin Lakes was proposed many times. It never happened though.
Today Crystal Lake is surrounded by homes and ballparks. It’s a peaceful place. You can walk or bike the 1.8-mile trail around the lake. People fish for crappies and blue gills. Families stroll along the shore. Crystal Lake is truly the heart of Robbinsdale. It’s a place where history and recreation meet. A place where the past and present intertwine. It is more than just water. It is a legacy.