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?