Column

A traditional symbol- of government, of banking, of strength- this Corinthian column is one of four that decorated the old First National Bank at 175 Main Street, as seen in the photo postcard below. 

 

 

This building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

 

above images courtesy of the Ryerson & Burnham Archives Archival Image Collection

 

1955

In another of a continuing series of aerial shots, this view, apparently hovering over Dogtown, looks towards Lake Winnebago.  The Washington Street bridge is in the center of the photo. 

Photo courtesy of Lenaweb

Talk to Loescher

This ad from the advertisers' section of the 1920 Nicolet, Menasha High's annual, promotes the use of the Evinrude motor for any boat, first introduced in 1909.  Loescher's Hardware on Main Street carried the motors and the other requisite outdoor gear for a perfect vacation. 

The story goes that Mr. Evinrude, desiring some ice cream, rowed two and half miles across a lake west of Milwaukee during a picnic to obtain the ice cream but that it melted before he could return to the picnic site.  Purportedly, this inspired him to invent an engine that would replace the oar as a means of boat propulsion.  His first outboard motor was a one-cylinder, 1.5 hp design. 

Drying Yards

Pictured above are some of the drying yards for the Menasha Wooden Ware in the late 19th century and some information below about the company, culled from a 1915 reference

From The Geography of the Fox-Winnebago Valley by Ray Hughes Whitbeck, published by The State, Madison, WI. 1915

Happy Anniversary

This blog began exactly one year ago today.  I can't think of a better way to commemorate the day than by showcasing a photograph from Menasha's cenntennial celebration of 1953.   

I don't know the names of the bakers, but suffice it to say their wish for Menasha to have a Happy Birthday 60 years ago comes through loud and clear! 

Charles Reed

Charles Reed was the son of Menasha founder, Curtis Reed and was the deputy postmaster for Menasha for many years.  He was also deaf. 

Charles attended the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan for 5 years, and the School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he graduated in 1871. He went one year at Gallaudet University. Charles married Mary Elizabeth Angle on September 18, 1872. Mary was also deaf. They had one child, Curtis A Reed in July of 1873.  They remained married until Mary's death in 1890.  On October 7, 1903, Charles married Hypatia Boyd from Milwaukee.  They had two children, Lydia Jean Reed and Charles Boyd Reed (who died at 2 months of age). Charles met Hypatia at the Delavan School for the Deaf. And while both Charles and Hypatia were deaf, Charles used sign language and Hypatia used lip reading.  Both she and Charles were much involved in the deaf movement to help others.

May 6, 1911 Oshkosh Northwestern

Menasha Split Pulley Company Revisited

We first discussed this factory back in June of last year.   But my recent acquisition of his price list has allowed me this opportunity to better show you exactly what P. V. Lawson was making at his facility off Sixth Street.  The art work is from the files of the Menasha Historical Society. 

Menasha Lock and Trestle Trail

The Menasha lock is adjacent to the Fox Cities Trestle Trail.  Converted into a pedestrian bridge,  this abandoned railroad trestle is 0.8 miles long and crosses Little Lake Butte des Morts. The trail begins near the lock and ends at Fritse Park in the Town of Menasha.

Officially opened on August 27, 2005, the trail has proven to be extremely popular with local residents and visitors to the Fox Cities.  The lighted pedestrian bridge is the longest in Wisconsin and includes a center pavilion area with seating, and several fishing platforms along the way.

1979 Milwaukee Journal Neenah-Menasha Overview

From the Milwaukee Journal, January 14, 1979

This article is an overview of the Twin Cities, primarily for out-of-towners to read.  I believe the Milwaukee Journal in their "lifestyle" section would feature a community in the state each week. 

The main theme running through this piece is that Menasha is blue collar and Neenah is white collar and never the twain shall meet.  Knowing what we all know, that's fairly obvious, but it also foments a sort of resentment with the implication that we were happy back then to wallow (my word) in our taverns and lack of local retail businesses and that we were just fine with spending our money in Neenah and Appleton.  There was some truth in that (and "thank" the mayor for his "honesty").  But it made us look a little less than ambitious in a civic sense to the rest of the state.  At least the writer credits that attitude to a "conservative spirIt" and you can make your own conclusion whether or not he was being diplomatic. 

Realizing the changes in downtown Menasha, what with the redevelopment of the downtown and the marina, and the consolidation of fire and rescue services between the two communities since 2003, comments about our "lack of initiative" don't seem to hold as much water as they once did.  But still, old habits (and attitudes) die hard.  Just ask one of us from the ol' hometown or especially, those folks across Nicolet Boulevard.  It's 34 years later and I'd bet 8 out of 10 folks polled there would say the perception still applies.   I don't agree but then, I'm not one of the "upper crust."     

St. Mary's Campus Late '50s

This postcard view is dated between 1952, the building date of the facility on the left, and 1962, when the next addition was built to reside on the grassy area filled by the trees here.

A Roll Call of N-M Businesses

April 16, 1968 N-M Northwestern

This thank you ad from the Northwestern 45 years ago today is a veritable Who's Who of Neenah-Menasha merchants and business people who provided funds to help grow the community we think of so fondly in this blog. 

Too few of them are left; it is a sobering and bittersweet list, but names we remember fondly. 

Frank Rippl Family

Born in Austria in 1882, Frank Rippl  arrived in Menasha in 1891.  Frank had a grocery at the corner of Tayco and Kaukauna and was in the grocery business for 45 years.  His store was extensively highlighted in the Menasha book.

Here, the Rippl family poses in front of their residence at 228 Kaukauna Street.   

Before the age of snapshot photography, obviously some were better than others at holding a pose. 

Yet Another Aerial View

Another aerial postcard view of the Twin Cities, though this photo seems to be more focused on Neenah than Menasha.  That's clearly downtown Neenah in the top center of the photo just above the Oak Street...excuse me, W. G. Bryan Bridge.  Still, a part of the Doty Island portion of Menasha can be seen on the right of the card. 

Know Your Town

This charming drawing by local artist Henry J. Young was featured in a 1960 booklet produced by the League of Women Voters of Neenah-Menasha.  While not exactly accurate, it still represents the combined industrial/community nature of the town quite well. 

The booklet was titled "The Cities and Towns of Neenah and Menasha," and it is a revision of a "Know Your Town" booklet that had first been published in 1955.  It served as a nice deskside resource to give everyone a better knowledge and understanding of the Twin City area.  I remember it being in my home as I grew up and had always wished I could find another copy.  Thanks to the internet, I did! 

It is a treasure trove of information about how the two cities' governments worked and also provided nice almanac-type information regarding parks, town attractions, and the like. 

I will refer to this booklet in future blog posts to share some interesting things about our town from the vantage point of 53 years ago. 

The Evolution of a Hotel (Third and Racine Streets)

As the Wisconsin House

As the Hotel Lenz

As the Schumacher Hotel

We first looked at photos of the Third and Racine area on the blog back in May 2012.  But these photographs chart the course of the hotel at that intersection for well over 100 years.  The hotel pictured had many incarnations.

Starting business as the Wisconsin House in 1871 by John Lenz, Jr., this facility had a beer garden in the spring and summer and catered to a German clientele. The sign on the pole in front of the corner entrance announces that this is a German Guesthouse (Deutsches Gasthaus). On the streetcar line and close to the Soo Line depot, this lodging enjoyed transportation access that others did not. You can see the streetcar tracks that came up Third Street and turned down Racine Street on the way to downtown in the second photo.

The building was demolished in 1978.  By then, it was known as the Schumacher Hotel, or as Julie's Tap. The lot became a Hardee's and today is a McDonald's. 

Follow the Fox

This view from the Racine Street Bridge looking west showcases some of Menasha's industrial base on the left shore, while the right side, in this pre-1986 photograph, reflects a bit of the commercial side of town before the marina was built.  You can see the sign for the old First National Bank drive through and parking lot as well as the former Elks hall (B.P.O.E 676).  If the camera could have panned a bit more to the right, you'd see the old Elisha D. Smith library. 

St. John's

On Feb. 25, 1888, 75 Polish Catholic families decided to break away from the German Catholic congregation at St. Mary’s.  The result was the formation of St. John's Polish Catholic Church and School in the “Polander Settlement.”   

The church building pictured in the top photo was erected in 1900 on the corner of Fifth and DePere Streets. The cost of the church was $16,000 and is an example of the Romanesque Revival movement of architecture.  Over time though, the church's structure changed.  A new entrance was created and the church's twin spires were leveled off. 

Church members were always dedicated to giving their children a Catholic education and the St. John Grade School educated its parish children for well over 100 years.   However, the school closed its doors in June of 2002 due to finances and lack of students.  Today, the school is used for office space, religious education classes, and parish meetings, and is rented out to various groups.

St. John is a linked parish with St. Mary's and is served by their pastor.   

Despite all these changes, 2013 marks the 125th anniversary of St. John's parish.  

Hustle and Bustle of Small Town America

This photograph shows the iconic Bank of Menasha corner sometime in the late 1930's/early 1940's.  Next door to the bank, heading westerly is the Avalon Bar, occupying real estate that would be home to the Left Guard years later.  You can also see the Gibson Chevy dealership and the Fire Department.  Between Gibson's and the Avalon are offices for a few attorneys and physicians, to include the Jensen brothers, Fred and Dick.  The festive banner across Main Street invites us to celebrate in Menasha.  Next to the bank with a truck in front, is Leopold's Tavern.  Notice the Old Style and Gettelman's signs on the corner.  And in keeping with the lighting downtown, notice the combination light/flag pole on the circle. 

A photo like this makes me think of Hollywood's idealized middle America.  I half expect to see Andy Hardy riding by! 

Tayco Street Bridge Renovation

June 27, 1967 NM Northwestern

We've learned a lot about the Tayco Street Bridge in our time together on this blog.  Today, we see a renovation effort which gave the bridge another 22 years of life before the ill-fated collapse of 1989 and the bridge's eventual replacement in 1993. 

Blue Inn

September 15, 1960 NM Northwestern

October 9, 1964 NM Northwestern

March 14, 1965 Appleton Post-Crescent

Lots of talk and planning for the upcoming May 18th Blue Inn "Reunion" dance at Smith Park lately.  So it seemed time to reminisce about the Blue Inn's heyday with a few news items from area newspapers, to include a nice feature on our genial DJ, Mr. Jerry Burke....

Brat und Brau

November 17, 1972 Appleton Post-Crescent

April 11, 1975 Appleton Post-Crescent

 

This establishment on Appleton Road was a big favorite in the '70s for this high school and college student.  I spent many a weekend night there with friends pondering the fate of the world over pitchers of beer and pizza.  And enjoying the live entertainment, too. 

Bank of Menasha

Date unknown, but I suspect this to be the early 1900's for this view of the Bank of Menasha interior as pictured on a collectible postcard.