August 26, 1939 Appleton Post-Crescent
August 23, 1939 Oshkosh Northwestern
As the articles say, this had been brewing for most of the 1930s- city council meetings decrying the parking problems on Nicolet Boulevard and Neenah's perceived refusal to help do anything about it. In time, Menasha just went ahead and attacked the problem, primarily around St. Patrick's and the Walters Brewery, by ridding themselves of their half of the grassy "island" in the middle of the boulevard, thereby opening up the lanes for parking. I'm sure it looked rather disjointed for some time to follow. We forget that the grassy island used to be all the way to the First Street (Neenah) intersection instead of just ending at Ahnaip Street as it does today (see the following link: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/02/nicolet-blvd.html).
I wonder when Neenah complied with their side.
I wonder when Neenah complied with their side.
The photo does not make it clear what is being done. But I am not sure a "half a boulevard" would ever look "fantastic." Who were the special interests behind this? What were the traffic demands in 1939? As I recall there were no commercial properties on NB and it led only to the lake. At least somebody prevailed to put it in its present state.
ReplyDeleteSMHS 1960