A Valley Fair Summer

June 1, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

The marketing director for Valley Fair sure knew what he was doing when he set up this schedule.  Talk about something for everyone!  The mall, in those days, almost acted as a convention center would nowadays, what with varied and topical events happening almost every week.  And we took advantage of it all, too.  It was a special time.

Memorial Day

 

The VFW in 2013 said it well.  I cannot improve on this:

Many Americans have forgotten the true meaning of a holiday that we as veterans hold so close to our hearts. For too many, Memorial Day now signifies nothing more than the start of summer and is celebrated with holiday sales. Trips to the lake and shopping extravaganzas have replaced memorial visits, remembrance ceremonies or simply put, a day to reflect upon all of the luxuries—like freedom—that we as Americans enjoy daily.  

As proud veterans, we know the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen comrades of the United States military in the form of remembrance. And with that, comes a deep sense of appreciation for both their selflessness in protecting the land of the free, and for their sacrifice in ensuring it stays that way. 

Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life. While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance. We dedicate this day to them.

As we go about our activities, we should take the opportunity to not only remember the sacrifices of our fallen and mourn their departure, we should celebrate the spirit with which they served and reflect upon their contributions in making America, truly, the land of the free.

The VFW thanks all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America.

Daily Press

Menasha Press Office, 1898

February 11, 1974, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

 

I know I've mentioned it before but there is a lot of great historical information out there just free for the taking.  Case in point, this wonderful "souvenir" edition of the June 1898 Menasha Press which gives a terrific snapshot of the city in that year.  As the article above states, it was part promotional tool as well as descriptive in nature.  There are many period illustrations and photographs as well.  This newspaper pre-dates George Banta's publishing business and touts him as a local insurance man, with only a mere mention of the side printing business he utilized for his insurance company needs.  City benefactor Elisha D. Smith would, later that year, donate the public library to the city in October.  And the Spanish-American War was in full swing, so patriotic fervor for that crisis was evident. 

All in all, it is a nice primer of the city in 1898 and is available at the following link:

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=header;pview=hide;id=WI.MLHSouvenir

I heartily endorse it.  Happy weekend!

Safe Bike Award

May 24, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I just ran across this news item, which relates to a story I told in 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/07/safety-winners.html.  I won this award, later that magical summer in July.  I always wondered why the tickets were to the Neenah Theater instead of the Brin, which was still operating.

Superb Dining

October 1, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

It's been a while since we had any mention of the Left Guard.  I ran across this ad and was taken by the reference to the 1000 Yard Room.  It reminded me of all those 1000 Yarder banquets in the 1960's that were held in our own little hometown, to honor the leading rushers of the National Football League with little press coverage.  Except for, perhaps, newspapermen in attendance and maybe a quick interview on a Green Bay TV sports cast, they were low key affairs.  Can you imagine anything like that happening today, when ESPN sees fit to hold its own award show for athletic achievement in a gigantic venue with superstars from all media in attendance?  No sir, those days are long gone.

Government Land Office

Here's a "found" piece of history, a cancelled envelope from the government land office when it was headquartered down on Broad Street.  It lasted until 1893, as evidenced below by the proclamation compiled in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of the US general Land Office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894.

Daily Sleeper

July 3, 1937, Oshkosh Northwestern

In the age of railroad travel, how convenient it must have been to fall asleep in Neenah and awaken in Chicago in time for breakfast.  And that air conditioning, what a lifesaver in the hot summertime!  At the time, the depot in Neenah was between Sherry and Main Streets.

Moonlight Over Menasha

This undated postcard evokes a dreamy, romantic quality for the ol' home town.  Happy weekend!

The Good Life...Through Progress

June 30, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

This bicentennial message from 1976 represents my feelings about Menasha as I also declare that this is the 1000th post to this blog!  And although these words were written almost forty years ago, the sentiments expressed within this ad, I feel, are as accurate for the city today, as they were back then.  The text reminds me of what I wrote on the back of the book in 2012 and have carried over as a mission statement, as it were, for this blog.  The names may have changed over forty years, but Menasha continues onward with new hopes and dreams for a brighter future.  Now, onto the next 1000 posts!

Library Park?

June 9, 1900, Oshkosh Northwestern

July 16, 1901, Oshkosh Northwestern

A few days ago, I mentioned that Smith Park was often referred to as City Park.  Now, comes this revelation that it was known as E.D. Smith Library Park.  I have no idea why the "library" part would have been tacked onto the name, save for the idea that the donation of the public library (1898) was still recently in the minds of the city, but to me, it still makes no sense. 

The drawing of the pavilion as shown above was posted in the newspaper more than a full year before the actual dedication with absolutely no explanation attached for the illustration.  I suppose it was left to the logic of the readers to realize that this was the proposed structure for the hallowed park.  Sometimes, I have to struggle in deciphering the mindset of early journalists.

Kurbstor

September 3, 1937, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

     From Memories of Doty Island: A Link Between Two Cities (1999):  

     The only place to get a cold, non-alcoholic drink and a hamburger in Menasha's part of Doty Island was at the Kurbstor.
     The location was 222 Washington Street, the present site of a medical clinic. It was started as an A&W Root Beer stand. After prohibition had been repealed, a thirsty patron could buy a "pony" of beer to take home. However, the 1934 City Directory does not list the Kurbstor under "Taverns." It is under "Restaurants and Lunch Counters." Sometimes it was called the "Kurbstor Gardens" because some of the metal tables and chairs were placed behind the small kitchen in a trellised terrace so customers could eat outside, weather permitting. There were stone walkways and some landscaping which beautified the area.
     Howard F. Merrill was the proprietor and he and his wife lived at the same address for the first few years after the building was erected and the business was established. They found a variety of promotional schemes. One of the ideas was to bury a man alive about three feet down with a glass cover on his "coffin." This brought in many curiosity seekers. A number of people are still alive who remember being taken by their parents to look down at him.
     The Kurbstor existed for approximately ten years during the thirties-forties period. 

Formal Flowers

May 16, 1930, Appleton Post-Crescent

For whatever reason, Smith Park was, quite often, referred to as "City Park," in the media, especially in the early part of the 20th century.  Nevertheless, efforts were put into motion in 1930 to bring the park up to the standards by which we know and love it today.  Sounds like the Memorial Building, built just two years prior, was a big hit. 

Elite Tonsorial Parlors

Here are some advertisements of the late 19th century, as portrayed in the June 1898 Semi-Centennial edition of the Menasha Press, commemorating Wisconsin's 50th year of statehood, Menasha's 50th year of settlement, and the Press' own 35th anniversary. 


Patent medicines of the era were obsessed with dyspepsia, or indigestion and I'd wager that Dr. Russell's cure, as seen above, would have made a great cocktail or two, as alcohol was often the chief ingredient.  If your problem didn't go away, you likely wouldn't care after imbibing enough of the stuff!  And to the uninitiated, tonsorial is an old-timey word which refers to barbers and barbering.

Pumper

For all you fire enthusiasts out there, here's a snapshot of a classic pumper that served Menasha for many, many years, posed behind the old fire station on Main Street.  

Refresh With Milk

November 17, 1958, Appleton Post-Crescent

A nice ad, despite using variations of the word "refresh" four times in the ad copy.  This woman reminds me of a newer late'50s/early '60s archetype lady of the house, a Dick Van Dyke Show "Laura Petrie" type, wearing capri pants and ballet flats, most unlike the "June Cleaver" dress and heels character we'd been fed for years.  Maybe it's the short Audrey Hepburn haircut that implies a new freedom, and energy but the hint of a lacy apron around her neck is all too familiar and quickly brings us back to the reality of what roles the popular culture of the time said were available for women.

Better Than Weights

Here's something we haven't seen before, a window catch manufactured by the O.C. Little Pulley Company.  Diversity in products is a good thing, as evidenced by the 22 patents held by Mr. Little that we noted in this post from 2015: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/02/orton-c-little.html.  Love the use of "Awlrite" as a product name, showing that advertising was innovative even over a hundred years ago.

Seminar

April 18, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

A lot of knowledge to be had here.  I'd have liked to have been in attendance, though, at the age of nine, I'd have been probably very shifty in my seat.  That is, unless the promise of seeing arrowheads or other such memorabilia was at hand.   

Youthful Voices in Song

March 14, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent

I attended Catholic schools during my school career, but I did not ever participate in an event such as this.  Of course, it might have been on my radar more if I could carry a tune!  Still, it must have been a big deal to see 400+ grade schoolers, united for one night, in song, with lots of proud parents (and bored siblings) in the audience.  If you look closely enough, you might be able to spot some of your friends!

License to Ride

Remember the freedom, as a kid, of getting on your bike and just riding?  Or, the license day events, which to me signified the beginning of summer?  Meeting the police down at the local elementary school and paying your 50 cents and picking up your license for the season?  For me, something was lost when they changed from license plates to stickers around 1971.  From this vantage point, I can see the economies of using one versus the other, but as a kid, having a real metal license plate like the one on the family car was a cheap thrill. 

Dog 'n' Suds

May 4, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

I'd always see this place on the way to my grandparents' house sometimes, depending on the route we took. Situated at the corner of Hwy 47 and Airport Road, this seemed like a cool place to go as a little kid, but I have no memory of ever eating there.  My Mom would counter all my requests with the opinion that she could make a better hot dog at a cheaper price, but I doubt she would have served it to me while I sat in the back of the Chevy Impala.  So typical of Mom, putting it in dollar terms when all I wanted to do was experience the novelty of eating in the car!

Historical Hootenanny

July 25, 1965, Appleton Post-Crescent

When people think of the '60s, they mostly think of rock and roll, but those years had a rich folk music tradition, particularly in the early part of the decade before the "British Invasion."  And as the years went by and the so-called generation gap really became a thing, what better family-style event could be had than an old fashioned hootenanny, especially when tied to Wisconsin history. 

Good Neighbor Fair

April 28, 1967, Appleton Post-Crescent

First came the "pig fair" we talked about several weeks ago, now this, a one-stop semi-annual event to garner funds for charities, civic, and religious organizations.  Valley Fair was a happening place!