December 21, 2016, Appleton Post-Crescent
Carl Koch was an immigrant from Bavaria who came to Menasha in 1855. He initially had a photography business but later opened a dry goods store in this building, constructed in 1882. It was the first commercial building in Menasha's downtown district, preceding the later Planner's Block in 1884 and the Scott Building in 1885, though it did not receive the accolades those two structures received. It is thought that its location, away from the more populated Main Street area had some role in this. Koch had his store on one side, the other side was a tavern. Upstairs, Koch lived with his family on one side and rented out the rest of the floor. The building is of significant architecturally as a great example of late nineteenth century design and construction. Its decor includes Queen Anne, Second Empire, and late Victorian Gothic features.
I watched a layer of bricks from the very top of the south side of this building fall off on its own to the sidewalk (not killing anyone fortunately). around 1987 while directing traffic in the roadway at River and Washington Streets. It may be historical but needs lots of HELP
ReplyDeleteThe part nearest the drawbridge, which now houses the R&R Bar, used to house the Horseshoe Bar. And, yes, the shape of the bar inside this place somewhat resembled a horseshoe. My last memory of being in this place was on New Year's Eve in the late 1960s. The place was pretty much dead, with just a few barflies in attendance. When midnight approached, the bartender pulled out some hats and noise-makers from behind the bar, which the few patrons used for a couple of minutes while watching a video tape rerun on the TV of the NYC Times Square Celebration. Then we put away the hats and noise-makers and the place went back to being the same old quiet place. A memory of a bittersweet New Year's Eve.
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