People of the Fox

August 29, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

The general consensus here is that things were looking up, when it came to the river's clean-up in 1976.  This article gives some estimony of the valley residents who make their living or take their recreation on the Fox.

River of Industry, River of Recreation

August 29, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

Another feature in the continuing series about the Fox River from 1976.  While the valley benefitted from the role the river played in industry, years of unabated pollution from plants along the Fox were a major hurdle. The Clean Water Act of 1972 was a major initiative in beginning to restore the integrity of the Fox River and in allowing communities to once again, recognize the river for the recreational bonanza that it is. 

Tip Ups

 February 6, 1966, Racine Journal Times

Lest we forget how innovative fishermen can be, here's a prime example of some of our visiting anglers from south of here and what they put together in 1966 to pass the time.

Action on the Fox

August 29, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent
Here's another installment of that series on the Fox River from 1976.

Dugout Bar

So, the Dugout Bar was really located at 401 North Commercial in Neenah in the late 1930s.  But Mr. Hart was one of those individuals who wasn't exclusively a Neenah or Menasha guy.  He was born in Menasha and also had had a shoe business there - the Hart Shoe Hospital- located on Chute Street in the earlier part of that decade.  In later years, as he settled into the hospitality trade, he ran the Hart Hotel, a lodging establishment on Commercial Street, across from the C&NW railroad station.  And, as inferred from his business card, he had served in World War I with the Red Arrow Division.  So many of us, over time, crossed lines when it came to Neenah and Menasha that it really became one entity in a lot of ways.  I'm sure it stands that way today as well.

Harnessed for Industry

August 29, 1976, Appleton Post-Crescent

In 1976, the Post-Crescent's weekly magazine began a series on the future of the Fox River, beginning with a look back at the river and the growth of the Fox Valley.  This is the first installment.  In coming days, I'll feature more articles of this series, as I found it to be an in-depth snapshot in time of the Fox Valley and how its communities- prosperous or challenged, large or small- pinned their hopes and dreams on the one common thread running throughout, the Fox River.

Watching for Ghosts

February 6, 1964, Racine Journal-Times

It's that time of year again when the shanties dot the lakes of the Fox Valley and the whir of augurs cutting holes in the ice fills the air.  Some will go home empty-handed but an annual tradition is, once again, upheld.

At Your Service

February 3, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Just a sampling of what local businesses were providing the Twin Cities on this February day in 1959.  I chuckled to myself to see that Mrs. Sewall, in her reweaving ad above the Twin City Beverages square, also does "davenports."  I hadn't heard that word since I was a kid. 

Also, in case this date catches the eye of some of our older readers, this is "the day the music died," when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper lost their lives in a plane crash in Iowa.  They had played in Green Bay just two nights before at the Riverside, after cancelling a performance in Appleton at the Cinderella Ballroom due to time constraints related to their broken-down tour bus. 

Complete Printing Services

A lonesome view of a faded city icon, closed now, for what, five years now?  This view is from the vacant parking lot at the river and looking back towards Ahnaip Street.   

Group Photo

This postcard is an updated variation of a photo postcard we first reviewed in June of 2014.  This time, due to more liberal postcard dimensions, we've got a hand colored bigger print, plus that pesky telephone pole has been removed.  Also, the trees have become leafy green near the old high school on Racine: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2014/06/menasha-assembly.html

More Meadowview

October 14, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

February 3, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

A reader recently asked where Meadowview Dairy had been located. In doing research to ascertain the address, I came across these other advertising/newsworthy items.  I'm happy to report that Meadowview's address, after many years listed as Route 1, Menasha, was, at the end of its run, documented as 1292 Manitowoc Road.

...Say it Best!

February 8, 1975, Appleton Post-Crescent

Oh, for something approaching these prices today!  But putting that aside, be it candy or flowers or dinner out, here's to having a great Valentine's Day!  See you next week!

Standing on the Corner

Out of all the views of Menasha, the Hotel Menasha seems to be the reigning champ when it comes to the number of photos and postcards which have featured its countenance over the years.  This one comes from circa 1909.  We still have dirt streets so we know it's dated from before 1910.

Bustling Downtown

Here's a repost of one of my favorite downtown pictures, but this time, on a picture postcard, the "text message" of its day, so to speak.  Needless to say, the folks back in Milwaukee can rest assured that "Ma & Pa" are all right, nestled in the bosom of a welcoming Menasha.

Nature's Best Food at its Best

February 10, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

We first met Meadowview in 2012, http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/07/meadowview-dairy.html.  In an era where multiple dairies served the Twin Cities, Meadowview was one of the last to close, lasting until late 1967. 

Cold Duck

January 14, 1975 N-M Daily Northwestern

 

No big expose here, just a human interest story on a slow news day.

Second Place Certificate

 

January 31, 1974, N-M Daily Northwestern

You wouldn't expect that they gave awards for such things, but you'd be wrong. Presumably, this is the prize winner they're talking about.

Easy to Find, Hard to Leave

Twin City Tavern was located midway down the Tuchscherer block, between Mill Street and Racine.  My suspicion is that this matchbook dates from the 1930s, judging from the four digit phone number and the spine saying that happy days are here again.  Prohibition was only repealed in 1933, so the time frame would fit.  I like the photograph; most matchbooks of the era have a drawing, at best.

Dark, Shadowy Prediction

February 2, 1965, N-M Daily Northwestern

I had planned to just comment on the groundhog day angle but then I found too much of interest to not just include the entire front page of this day's Northwestern.  But I'm sure with yesterday's snowstorm, the good citizens of the Fox Valley had more on their minds than the inclinations of a groundhog in Pennsylvania. 

Our Aim...

January 20, 1970, Appleton Post-Crescent

I ran across this ad the other day and it got me to wondering that if Wanserski's was still with us today, with the "big game" coming up this weekend, they'd tailor their ad to feature catering the crowd for the Super Bowl.  Or, in this example, putting that 5 cents off Roma Pizzas upfront and in larger type at least!  

But of course, this isn't a fair comparison.  At the time of this ad, Super Bowl IV had already been played nine days before on January 11th, when Kansas City beat Minnesota, 23-7.  And back in 1970, the Super Bowl yet wasn't the primetime "event" it would evolve into over the years; it was another Sunday afternoon game, albeit one with a lot at stake!  Marketing to it was in its infancy and not yet the big moneymaker it would later become. 

Trucks For Every Trade

January 11, 1938, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Back in an era when the only truck owners were businesses and farmers, Chevy still offered thirty-one basic models and Gibson, right downtown was the local agent for such a buy.  And I'd bet those trucks were solid, too.