(For) Fishing, Boating or Picnic Parties

June 28, 1905, Menasha Record

And if that fine picnic beer doesn't grab your attention, there's always Grand Ma's Coffee to "wash down" all that fine picnic food.   We are ending the week on a frivolous note, after all that smallpox drama yesterday.  Have a great weekend! 

Smallpox!

June 1, 1895, Saturday Evening Press 

With all the controversy lately surrounding parents not vaccinating their children against measles, let's hearken back over 120 years ago to a major health crisis- smallpox. Vaccination had been established since the late 1700's to help prevent new cases, but of course, there was no guarantee that all would or could be vaccinated.  The case illustrated in the article above shows just how seriously this disease was taken.  To think of fencing off one's house today with guards to keep people out would likely be a civil liberties case for the courts!  

The reference in the article to a smallpox epidemic the previous year relates to an attorney named Peter Grossman, who while running a campaign to be justice of the peace, failed to notify health authorities that his son had contracted the disease.  Evidently he continued his campaign while keeping the boy's condition a secret and it was thought he spread the disease throughout the town despite not displaying any indications that he was himself ill by it.  The sad story continues in that his son later died from the disease and Peter fled the town in the dark of night, leaving his family behind.  He later came back, though the outcome of that was not evident to me in my research.  Next week, I will run down those articles and publish them on the blog.  Journalism of the time did not tip toe around such stories, unlike today when he would have had the word "alleged" pinned to his name from the start.

Miner Women

September 24, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

This is another in our series of articles highlighting notable women with a Menasha connection. Though Jean Miner Coburn only lived in Menasha for ten years, her lasting contributions to the state are seen daily by visitors to the statehouse grounds. And the article shows that her brother and wife, also were quite influential in the Menasha community.

New Addition

September 26, 1952, Appleton Post-Crescent

Anybody associated with St. Mary's will know this as the "52 Building," where many of us attended the early grades. And, of course, ten years later brought us the "62 Building," which housed the upper grades, 5-8, and the library.  Interesting note...the architect for this addition was also responsible for the design of Valley Fair.  And, as artists' sketches go for the early glimpses of buildings to come, this building surprisingly came out looking pretty much as seen above.

Memorial Day 2019

I repost this every year. 

The VFW in 2013 said it well.  I cannot improve on this:

Many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of a holiday that we as veterans hold so close to our hearts. For too many, Memorial Day now signifies nothing more than the start of summer and is celebrated with holiday sales. Trips to the lake and shopping extravaganzas have replaced memorial visits, remembrance ceremonies or simply put, a day to reflect upon all of the luxuries—like freedom—that we as Americans enjoy daily.  

As proud veterans, we know the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen comrades of the United States military in the form of remembrance. And with that, comes a deep sense of appreciation for both their selflessness in protecting the land of the free, and for their sacrifice in ensuring it stays that way. 

Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance. We dedicate this day to them.

As we go about our activities, we should take the opportunity to not only remember the sacrifices of our fallen and mourn their departure, we should celebrate the spirit with which they served and reflect upon their contributions in making America, truly, the land of the free.

The VFW thanks all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America.

Memorial Day Preparations

May 26, 1943, Menasha Record

In the midst of World War II, Neenah and Menasha prepared for the 1943 Memorial Day parade.  It was certainly a time to not only reflect upon all the war dead who had come before, but also to offer special consideration to those who had perished in the fight for freedom in the current war going on.  As Mr. Gutzmann from the local VFW so eloquently said, we honor those who "...gave their lives for the defense of liberty and justice to all American men and women of the United States."  

Enjoy the long weekend but please give a thought to that sentiment.  

Impressive Workload

 October 29, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Although she was a daughter of Menasha, she left at an early age and achieved so much in adulthood elsewhere.  It is still an interesting read.  Amazing what she accomplished in an era when women were not so much of the work-a-day world, and relegated to the usual occupations. Granted, she was a teacher, but managed to parlay that into an interesting and fulfilling career in history.

Rapidly Nearing Completion

February 3, 1940, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

We first saw this company back in 2013:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/05/menasha-products-company.html. Funny how, to commemorate the building of such a facility, they'd have a dance.  But then, this was 1940 and dancing was the thing then.  Today, if you were lucky, there might be a ribbon cutting followed by a small reception, perhaps.  Maybe this was a PR gesture, a way to be seen as taking care of its employees.  In reading the description of the facility, it sounds as if the company WAS trying to take care of its workers by being as modern and as up-to-date as possible.  Notice the talk of the completely air-conditioned building and the use of modern lighting, to include use of light meters to ensure a uniform light source. It must have been a great working environment by 1940 standards.

Students Learn Local History

November 12, 1971, Twin City News-Record

Books!  Slides!  Reel-to-reel tape recorders!   Butte des Morts eighth grade students use the tools of their time to research and learn from Menasha local history.  As it was stated in this 1971 story, Menasha students didn't know their local history.  But the interest I see reflected in inquiries to this blog for the last seven years, as well as the commentary on the Facebook groups tells me the generation featured in the article above (and many others) has carried their interests in local history forward to today.  So...maybe education DOES have a lasting effect? 

Lawson Bridge Construction

September 26, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Most residents of the city were probably never aware of this miniature bridge, but I was well aware of it as my Dad worked at Banta and I had the occasion to cross it many times. As bridges go, it served only select customers, but it is important enough to include it as a corollary to last week's Racine Street bridge coverage.

Get Your Feet Wet

August 24, 1951, Appleton Post-Crescent

Hand in hand with yesterday's story, this article gives the real scoop on how the bridges of the 19th century barely met the minimum requirements for the definition of the word, as it were.   But I guess it's better than having to use a boat and all that that entails, especially when moving cargo from place to place. Considering the conditions of the streets at that time, what with mud and/or the ever present evidence that horses leave behind, a little water in your boots might have been a welcome respite from dealing with all that.

Mill Street Bridges History

August 24, 1951, Twin City News-Record

The history of the bridges at Mill Street at times reminds me of an old Rube Goldberg cartoon, which for you younger folk, featured elaborate machines performing simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways, sort of like the classic Mouse Trap game, we played as kids.  In other words, why make it easy...let's have steep banks and for an extra challenge, let's make it a floating bridge so you can get wet along the way and perhaps spook the horses because the thing is moving in seasick-inducing fashion!  But they persevered as you can see and though its condition had worsened until the end when cars had to drive ten feet apart so as to not overload it, the new bridge apparently came just in time.  I just hope the previous labor-intensive bridge tenders were given the chance to learn the new modern methods of opening the new bridge.

Where Could It Have Gone?

August 24, 1951, Appleton Post-Crescent

In this Bridge Week edition, another "what if" story.  And it involves not just where the bridge could have gone but it entails a ten year delay due to World War II.  I cannot envision the bridge moving from Appleton Street to Cleveland Street.  The whole dynamic of the town would have shifted in time, I'd bet.  Imagine the hubbub surrounding Smith Park with all that traffic going by.  Also, I love the congratulatory messages that local businesses felt the urge to publish.  Keep in mind that these ads cost these businesses to put out and due to their sizes, it could not have been that inexpensive.  It must have felt like a civic duty to join in with the "huzzahs" echoing throughout the community to congratulate everyone involved.

Dedication Celebration

August 24, 1951, Twin City News-Record

Feeling the post-war fervor for all things civic and successful, Menasha went all out for the dedication of the Racine Street Bridge in 1951, having a parade, dignitaries, speeches, a boat parade, street dances, and a banquet at the Hotel Menasha.  The city wouldn't see such a bounty of festivities again until the centennial celebration two years later. 

Racine Street Bridge Opens

August 18, 1951, Appleton Post-Crescent

The Racine Street Bridge marks 68 years of service this year.  And although the bridge is still safe for use, it looks as though it'll be replaced in the next few years.  I thought it interesting to look back at the opening of the bridge in 1951 and present a few stories I've culled from the archives.  In the days to come, I'll feature stories on how that dedication day was celebrated and a few "what if" scenarios that describe where the bridge could have been built instead of its familiar location.  It's "Bridge Week" at the blog!

The Original MHS

This stereoscopic photograph shows the original Menasha High School circa 1870's.  Though someone had written in pencil on the back "about 1860," this is incorrect as the school wasn't even built until 1871 and was demolished in 1896 to make way for the new school which lasted until the great fire of 1936.  The photographer is the famous C.B. Manville, who didn't become so well-known for his photography but for his later association with Henry Ward Johns in forming the Johns-Manville Corporation, manufacturers of insulation, roofing materials, and engineered products, most of an asbestos nature.  When Manville died in 1927, his estate was worth $150 million.

We first saw a good view of this school in 2014: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/12/mhs-original.html

The What If Game

June 28, 1935, Oshkosh Northwestern

We've played the "what if" game here before, wondering how Menasha's fortunes would have changed if consolidation had occurred, or if Broad Street had become the city's downtown area, etc.  So it's no wonder that this speaker threw his own take on the game into his presentation, as evidenced by the last paragraph of the above article.  If any one of those names of prominent Menasha residents had failed to make the trek from their comfortable homes "back East"  to the wilds of northeastern Wisconsin, who knows what might have transpired.  Oh sure, some other settler would probably have stepped up and become the new Curtis Reed or Elisha Smith.  But perhaps a less forceful personality would not have fought for the canal rights that helped keep Menasha independent of Neenah and consolidation might have become a sure thing.  Menasha might have become a footnote, having been subsumed under the Neenah government.  We definitely might have become the county seat, to our own detriment.  You can drive yourself crazy with the possibilities, or run with them, as some alternate historical fiction writers have done- for example, if the South had won the Civil War, which is a popular topic.  I'd like to see some local writer's take of an alternate history if the two cities had combined and what that might have led to.  Hmm, now there's an idea.  I'm not much of a fiction writer but maybe...just to amuse myself when I retire.... 

Giant

November 20, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

This blog never shies away from oddities that involve our home town and this one is one of nature's own imperfections.  As the article states, the wood from such burls is highly prized and creates swirling designs that fetch considerable sums when fashioned into coffee tables and the like.  I wonder if he eventually did something with it besides just looking at it.

The Pride is Felt

April 7, 1903, Oshkosh Northwestern

Menasha was barely 50 years old in any sort of entity when this article was written and the author's pride shows glowingly when talking about Menasha.  So much has been written over the years about the founders of the village and the resulting manufacturing successes that made it what it was, but here we see what must have been taken as fresh take,  where the writer takes stock of all that has gone on and frames it for the average reader.   A skeptic could say this writer is a "homer," as baseball announcers for their home teams are sometimes accused of being, of not being able to see the game objectively because they are paid for by the home club and are perceived as just a cheering section for the fans.  That may be somewhat true, particularly when the writer lapses into talking about the names of pioneers that are held in reverence by every true hearted Menasha resident, but I can forgive a little cheerleading and besides, the prose of 1903 is nothing like that of 2019.  I'd like to have seen the fifty year celebration that took place that July 5th.  I must research that and see what happened that July day.

Brown Funeral Home

May 13, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

May 13, 1961, Appleton Post-Crescent

Menasha's funeral needs were covered by the familiar Laemmrich Funeral Home for generations; then came this latecomer in the early 1960's.  Though no longer in business in Menasha, I believe this building still stands around the corner from the Menasha post office on Broad Street.

Mothers Day Ideas

 

April 30, 1948, Appleton Post-Crescent 

It's never too early to put Mom first in our thoughts when it comes to her special day. And seeing that it's only nine days away (yikes!), let these old ads from Menasha merchants of the past inspire you in your own shopping adventures.  It's kind of funny that the premier electric store in Menasha is touting the most mechanical of cooking aids, the pressure cooker. 

Who Will Be the First Miss Neenah-Menasha?

May 15, 1950, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

 May 18, 1950, Twin City News-Record

1950 Menasha must have been abuzz with pageant fever when the first annual Miss Neenah-Menasha contest was inaugurated.  And to think it was even held in our own home town. I had to smile at the 83 cent ticket price, but then, it WAS the 1950s after all and even the prizes touted in the full page ad seem modest by today's standards.  A $10 check towards a scholarship?  A table radio?  But in spite of all that, the judges picked a good candidate to represent the Twin Cities at the Miss Wisconsin pageant a few short weeks later on June 5th.  And though our Miss didn't win the coveted prize, she DID rank in the final five contestants and for a first time effort, I'd say that was pretty good.

No Hats?

May 6, 1910, Oshkosh Northwestern

 

May 9, 1910, Menasha Record 

May 11, 1910, Stevens Point Journal

June 22, 1910, Menasha Record 

 

This must have been the start of the movement where, if you'd go to an auditorium, etc., often you'd see a sign that said, "Ladies must remove their hats."  Of course this was back in the day when large ornate head coverings were the height of fashion.  And many Menasha residents will know by instinct that this policy held no quarter with the Catholic church which for two thousand years required ladies to cover their heads until the policy was dropped in the 1980's.   

 

By later in 1910, this "no hats" business failed to make headlines any more and, perhaps, the city went on to more pressing news.  But for a short time, Menasha garnered state-wide attention for one of 1910's more frivolous stories.