[DOC] Big Box Reuse (MIT Press) by Julia Christensen at Arts-Photography

Description

Robbinsdale was named for entrepreneur; politician; and real estate developer Andrew B. Robbins. While serving in the Minnesota State Senate; Robbins often passed through the area just north of Minneapolis by train. Impressed by the landscape; he purchased 90 acres of rolling hills and lakes. In 1887; he platted a tract called Robbinsdale Park. Five years later; the development was incorporated as a village bearing his name. Robbins worked tirelessly to attract residents; business; and industry. When the transit company refused to extend a streetcar line to the area; he built his own. City dwellers came out in droves to enjoy hunting; fishing; boating; and the bathing beaches on Robbinsdales lakes. In the 1920s; the village gained notoriety with every new issue of Captain Billys Whiz Bang. Created by local veteran Wilford Hamilton Fawcett; the little humor magazine launched a publishing empire. Along with the rest of the country; Robbinsdale grew up in the 20th century; but the first suburb of Minneapolis still feels like the small town Andrew B. Robbins dreamed up more than a century ago.