Honoring a Former Mayor

May 28, 1980, Twin City News-Record

 November 17, 1980, Twin City News-Record

 November 17, 1980, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

It took a bit longer than the two months projected and the acreage isn't very big (less than a half acre), but the city nevertheless succeeded in honoring former mayor John Scanlon in a lasting manner.  Mayor Scanlon was also a World War I veteran, it might be added.  The names of some parks are more obvious than others and "Kaukauna Street Park" just doesn't have the greatest ring to it.

The New Designs

May 1, 1931, Menasha Record

Swenson's jewelers was located at 209 Main Street, in the same block as Tuchscherer's Shoes.  In later years, the building would be taken over by a women's clothing store called Polly Frocks.   I wonder how hard it was to sell watches like those pictured during the Great Depression when unemployment was so high and wages were low.

Don't Waste It!

March 1944, Better Homes & Gardens

Although the ad here was applied to the war effort in the 1940's, the message portrayed here by Marathon Mills is applicable to today's uncertain environment as well.  With the recent news of meat processing plants closing and the accompanying threats of a shortage, every morsel is valuable.   

Smith Park History

May 31, 1965, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

As with most things, there is an evolution of ideas for what we eventually end up with.  But imagine the possibilities.  What if you would have had to trek to Smith Park to use the library?  Or when you got there, you found a college instead?  That's some of the ideas for the land that eventually became Smith Park.  

Another Year Gone By

I try to post this postcard each year on this date as this was the first photo displayed on this site in 2012.  Today is the eighth anniversary of that first post.  Over all that time, we've gone through many changes, but this blog survives, much to my surprise.  If you go back and look at the original post, you'll learn that the blog's intent was just to be a place to showcase those photos that did NOT make it into the book, Menasha, and the blog likely had a shelf life of less than a year before I expected its demise.  But something clicked in me and here we are all this time later. This is the 1946th post.  At one time I thought I'd quit this when I reached 500 posts.  Then it was 1000.  Now I'm approaching 2000 and I'm probably afraid to quit!  

This project was never meant to be a comprehensive treatise on Menasha history, yet I feel it ought to do more than just bring to light the sometimes whimsy or quirkiness of living in Menasha.  Over the past eight years, it has morphed into "history light," or as someone once put it, the USA Today of history blogs vs. the New York Times version.  I can live with that distinction, but I feel like I owe you, the reader, something more than snarky commentary about city merchants' ads from the past.  So, I will strive to dig a little deeper, work a little harder, and try to provide something of lasting value.  I think many of the blog readers enjoy what I do regardless, and if I succeed at anything with this, it may be that I help you recall pleasant memories of growing up in our fair city.  

Thank you for reading, thank you for your questions and contributions, and especially thank you for your support.  Without you, this would be just an online diary.  So, onward and upward!  Monday begins year nine.  

Blindfolded Test

May 18, 1956, Appleton Post-Crescent

Continuing our theme of indoor activities, we're now getting ready for summer which means fishing and the great outdoors.  No question about social distancing when parked at our favorite fishing spot, that is, unless you need some help landing the big one when he puts up a fight!.  

Golf Lessons

 

May 4, 1956, Appleton Post-Crescent

Maintaining a theme this week of inside activities, why not indoor golf lessons?  At least, you could work on your putting or your swing.  And now with today's technology, one could probably create his or her own virtual golf course using the internet.  What do you have to lose with all this new free time?

All the Marbles

April 29, 1956, Twin City News-Record

With all the interest in finding new and exciting indoor activities due to the coronavirus, maybe it's time to bring back marbles.  I hear board games  and jigsaw puzzles are big again, so why not this?  The headline at the top references a late April snow that hit the area.

Society Forms

May 4, 1956, Twin City News-Record

All great things must start somewhere. Today, we see the formation of the Menasha Historical Society in 1956 at the Menasha Public Library on Mill Street.  Why they worked under the light of kerosene lamps and candles remains a mystery, unless they were hoping for some ambiance that would carry over into the subject matter.  Evidently, it worked because three short years later, the society was touted as the best that year in Wisconsin.

Foggy Solace

April 5, 1969, Appleton Post-Crescent

Let's end the week on an artistic note.  I always liked it when the staff photographers of the local newspapers put on their artistic caps and came up with examples like this.  These are the type of photos that win contests.  A good quality copy of the fisherman photo might make any wall proud.  This is probably a dying art, at least for news photographers as the page counts of newspapers continue to shrink and we are constantly being referred to the newspaper's web presence.  No room anymore for the whimsical or playful.  Just the facts, ma'am.

Ice Floes

April 15, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Here's a familiar sight, some years worse that others. An ice floe is basically any large flat mass of floating ice.  The so-called "whispering" sound adds a special magic to the phenomenon, even though those unfortunate dock owners along the shore might think otherwise.

Orange Crates and Paint

February 7, 1949, Appleton Post-Crescent

Showing some ingenuity and originality merit a big pat on the back to Miss Sorensen's fifth grade class at Butte des Morts.  I'm sure the end result was a welcome gift to the class that was enjoyed for school years to come.  

At the Orpheum

January 3, 1919, Menasha Record

The original theater in Menasha, nine years before the Brin was built.  Sidebar: Many of us already know of Fatty Arbuckle's career that was derailed by scandal in the 1920's.  In this picture, his leading lady also had a hard time of it, developing a drug habit that also caused her career to falter.  She died young at 33, from pneumonia in 1931.  On the other hand, Madame Petrova, left show business soon after this picture was made and lived until the age of 93.  

Fee Schedule

November 22, 1919, Menasha Record

In researching for last week's blog post on the flu pandemic of 1918-1920, I ran across this item, a schedule of new prices for medical services provided by Twin City physicians.  Besides marveling at the price structure, I was gratified to see Dr. Forkin listed, our family doctor when I was a young boy.  He delivered me at St. Elizabeth's in 1956 and if memory serves me, he also delivered my mother in 1920 at home, the same house I grew up in.  I can recall going to Dr. Forkin's home/office on Naymut Street on Doty Island.  Even in the early 1960's it looked like a turn-of-the-century doctor's office, rife with those old brownish apothecary bottles and other accoutrements.  Some people bridge generations and old Doc Forkin was just such a man.

Future Plans

April 23, 1919, Menasha Record

Let's end the week on an optimistic note, sharing the aspirations of recent (okay, maybe NOT so recent) high school grads.  Not many planned to go on to college but many aspired to do office work locally.  And a bonus activity (for all you housebound readers out there), your chance to research the ad that follows the article and learn what "catarrh" really is.  Impress your friends, astound your co-workers!  And while we're at it, Happy Easter!
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Also, here's an activity I recently learned about from the Wisconsin Historical Society and which might appeal to the historian in all of you.  It's called the COVID-19 Journal Project.  In 1861, the society gave journals for soldiers to keep who were going off to the Civil War from Camp Randall.  After the war, they mailed back the journals to the society and as a result, we now have a detailed record of how life was for those soldiers during that war.  The society is now asking us to keep a journal of how our lives have been impacted by another impactful event- the corona virus pandemic.  It needn't be a long and detailed affair and there are various ways to do it- narratives, photos, videos, etc.  The web site even gives tips for what to write about.  Future generations can learn about our lives during this tumultuous time.  You can learn all about it at: http://wisconsinhistory.org/records/Article/CS16333. The society's slogan for this project is "Collecting history as it happens."  I can't think of a better thing for a history lover to do when the books become boring and the Netflix account doesn't respond.  Check it out.

Spanish Flu of 1918-1920

October 9, 1918, Menasha Record

By now, if you've been following the news, you might have heard about the so-called "Spanish" Flu of 1918.  In actuality, the disease remained active until the end of 1920.  But as with the current corona virus situation, control efforts were largely limited to non-medical treatments such as isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings.  Sound familiar?  The above article even talks about wearing masks and gowns.  Though it falls short of recommending a six foot distance between people, it does suggest avoidance of crowds and covering up coughs and sneezes. We like to think medicine is more advanced now and we're smarter about such viruses, but there are lessons here from more than a hundred years ago which bear repeating today.  Be safe.

Valley Motor Car Company

April 7, 1920, Appleton Post-Crescent

The Valley Motor Company was located at 132 Main Street, later to be the home of the Gibson Motor Company and I'm sure we all remember that place.  The following is an ad from the 1920 Menasha City Directory, showcasing its other products.  The only vehicle listed with any longevity was Studebaker.  Dial 175 for an appointment.  

If It's Spring, It Must Be Bike Riding Time!

April 14, 1962, Appleton Post-Crescent

With all that's going on in the outside world these days, it may not be bike riding time yet, though an argument could be made for social distancing in an outdoor environment.  Nevertheless, this too shall pass and soon we should be able to resume our daily activities to include those involving two wheels and a chain.  We've encountered these fellows several times before, to include a blog post in 2013:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/02/menasha-bike-and-toy.html

Bunny Hops to School

April 17, 1981, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Let's start out the week with some happy kids anticipating Easter.  It's great enough when a school activity takes us away from the usual humdrum of learning.  But add a holiday theme to it and it becomes ever so much more exciting.  And, after all, the teacher can always chalk it up as a lesson in art.

We're Brimming with Thoughtful Gift Suggestions...

March 21, 1975, Twin City News-Record

Easter's coming, so don't let the lack of forethought keep you from enjoying the wonders of the holiday.  Those little egg hunters are depending on you!  And as usual, please buy from your local merchants.  

April Fool's

April 1, 1977, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

With all that's going on in the outside world, there wasn't much sentiment for April Fool's pranking this year.  So I took a look back and found this gentler, kinder April Fool's story that every parent, or for that matter anybody who knows kids, can appreciate.  

Spring Fashion Show!

March 1, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

For an exciting Easter, what could be finer than spending a Saturday afternoon at center court of the Valley Fair mall?  And to meet a local TV personality to boot?  Miss James certainly had that fifties look down pat, right down to the Kim Novak hairstyle.