Beck's Meat Market

June 30, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

We've talked about this location off and on over the years, wondering about the longhorn steer carving that eventually went missing, etc.  Today, the Weathervane restaurant works proudly out of this historic building.  Architecturally, the building is known to have been built in the Romanesque revival style and was home to many businesses from Beck's closure in 1960 to the present, to include a time as Reggie's Fashions and Millinery in the '60's, Memorial Drive Florists in the '70's, Anderson's Coins and Novelties in the '80's, and Castle Deli in the early 2000's.

Top of the Brewery

November 24, 1999, Twin City News-Record

Here's a rare view, taken from the top of the Walter Brothers Brewery on Nicolet Boulevard in 1898.  Featured in one of those "back in Time" compilations, this photo shows the dirt road that Ahnaip Street used to be, as well as the more horse-friendly Nicolet Boulevard, also known then as "The Avenue."

Banta Indian

July 26, 1973, Twin City News-Record

Friend to the blog, Don Nussbaum, was kind enough to send this photo along.  Contained within the centennial edition of the News-Record, this guy had been eluding me for years.  As I told Don, it's amazing how something taken for granted all those years ago would be so elusive in showing itself in the media of the time.  But then I did a last minute Google search before I posted this and found the following post from Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/MenashaForum/permalink/776988125736797/

If I had looked a bit more diligently (or recently), I could have had a similar photo two years ago!  Not sure how I missed that, as much as I use Facebook, but despite my shortcomings, let me say I am encouraged and delighted by the embrace of history by those residents (and past ones, like myself) who have a passion for Menasha and go the extra mile to do some research.  Everyone can, and often does, contribute.  As a result, we all benefit.  My hat is off to all of you.

South Side

July 8, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

We haven't gotten to see the back side of the buildings on the south side of Main Street very much in the past media, so this photo is special in that it shows us that area of town. 

Lock Anecdotes

July 23, 1973, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

It never fails to amaze me about the memories that so many of Menasha's citizens have locked away and of how fortunate we are, occasionally, to get them to share with us.  This type of information would have made a fascinating book, but at the least we are blessed to have this small newspaper story to get some of these anecdotes out to the world.

Armory Intersection

March 8, 2000, Twin City News-Record

Selected from a 2000 "Back in Time" compilation comes this slice-of-life photo taken on a wintry looking Doty Island day in the 1940s.  The woman has just crossed over into Neenah in front of the old armory.  The street has changed from Washington Street to Commercial Street.  If only we could see the gasoline prices at the Standard station at the five-way intersection.  I researched historic gas prices and it turns out the average price of a gallon of gas was 21 cents in 1946, which equates to about $2.86 in 2018.

Landmark Razed

June 26, 1968, Appleton Post-Crescent

I've used the Joni Mitchell song reference before- "you take paradise, put up a parking lot" from her song, Big Yellow Taxi.  But in this case, it is literally the truth.  At least for the 1968 short term.  

Menasha Is....

April 28, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

These clippings hail from an April 1923 edition of the Post-Crescent meant to showcase Appleton and the Fox Valley. Presumably, this edition of the newspaper was meant to commemorate Appleton's 70th anniversary of incorporation as a village.   All the communities in the valley received their own write-ups, with, of course, Appleton getting the lion's share.  There was considerable coverage of industry, banking, education, and culture, as would be expected in a venue to showcase the community.  This was a portion of Menasha's showcase, right next to Neenah on the page as one of the Twin Cities.  That explains the combined public buildings photo collage above.  Overall, there's probably nothing in these pieces that we haven't seen before; still, it's nice to see superlatives written about the ol' home town.

In the Clink

July 14, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I let Bastille Day go by without running this feature, but I couldn't let it go by.  Although we are many decades removed from the overcrowding in Twin City jail cells, it still provides a historical look at the old police station that used to reside on Main Street.

Central Paper

July 31, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Even though the name has changed to Intertape Polymer Group, this business continues to function in the same location on Fourth Street I remember growing up.

Kasel Construction

December 22, 1999, Twin City News-Record

We've all heard of "Christmas in July," so while the above "Back in Time" compilation IS Christmas oriented, it doesn't negate the neat photo of Menasha's Main Street getting paved in 1910 by the Kasel Construction Company.  Their ad appears below. This ad was featured in the 1919 Menasha City Directory.  

Fill 'er Up

July 8, 1982, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

The pump has been gone for quite some time now...heck, the water tower is gone as well, but memories remain of that jaunt down the street to get some cool, refreshing water.  I grew up in a time when that pump wasn't the only source of water for a thirsty kid, riding his bike around town.  I seem to recall a pump or at least a fountain at First and Appleton Streets and, of course, the old bubbler on Main Street at the foot of the Racine Street Bridge on the south side of Main.  I'm sure there were others I cannot recall, but that was my habitat.  Ah, memories.

The Quiet Before the "Storm"

July 29, 1972, Appleton Post-Crescent

We've spent a lot of time at Jefferson Park this week in the blog, enjoying the summer with various activities.  Let's end the week on a quiet note there, the proverbial calm before the storm when the outboard motors would reverberate across the lake and surrounding communities for a full weekend. 

Picnic Fun

July 27, 1972, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

At the blog, we're all about fun and what more wholesome fun could be had in 1972 Menasha than a major tug-of-war contest between moms and daughters at a Jefferson Park picnic?  

Donkey Baseball

July 27, 1974, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Is this still a thing?  If it is, I suspect it gets begrudging disapproval or contempt, the way rodeo and bull fighting does lately- considered culturally relevant but on its way to oblivion due to humanitarian concerns and political correctness. 

A New Use

March 25, 1984, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

More research from yesterday's blog post about Dura Products and its connection with the old Menasha Wood Split Pulley Company revealed this beauty- a use of old technology, repurposed for a new era.  Plus, a great explanation of how wood split pulleys were a mainstay in the industrial revolution.

A Connection to the Past

August 28, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

My friend Steve Krueger recently made the following announcement in Facebook:

During the month of August there will be a historical display in the Elisha D. Smith Public Library showing the Menasha Wood Split Pulley Company. This will be a joint effort between Stan Sevenich and Steve Krueger to have artifacts from both private collections on display, which will include a variety of pulleys from the factory, advertisements, sale cards. invoices, and a cool history lesson on the company. 

In my own research, I found this interesting item, that the pulley company was sold to this Neenah firm which is still in business today.  Their business focus might have changed, but to think that there is a link to this past iconic firm still extent in the business world today is fascinating.

Hidde Retirement

July 10, 1985, Twin City News-Record

Mr. Hidde was a mainstay downtown for many years, 44 to be exact.  His pharmacy was prime real estate, right near the traffic light at Main and Mill Streets, right next to the present Lemon Loves Lime, if memory serves me correctly.  As a boy, I used to ride my Schwinn stingray bike to the Broad Street alley behind the store, walk in the back door and pay the phone bill there, of all things.  Mom told me it was wasteful to mail it in and use what was then, a 6 cent stamp, but I knew the real reason- she just wanted to keep me busy.

Courtesy Counts

June 24, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

Would there even be such a completion today if that mall still existed?  Standards of service and courtesy have undoubtedly changed over the course of the last fifty years, though some degrees of civility must still apply.  The background in this photo features the Valley Fair central concourse where all the foliage was.  My barber was located on the right side of that central area, just past the Fanny Farmer store.  Boy, I miss that place.

A Happy (and Safe) Fourth!

Happy birthday, America!  Have a happy Fourth of July holiday! 


Along with a cautionary message from your local insurance man:

Be safe!

Telegraph Invention

October 17, 1900, Harrisburg (PA) Telegraph

Invention comes to Menasha.  Not to be undone by inventions that provided notoriety to Menasha with improvements for paper making and the like, Mr. Landgraf provides a silent receiver for the telegraph, with applications for deaf use as well.  In association with the American Novelty Company of Milwaukee, Landgraf assigned the market rights to the firm for one year with royalty and planned to submit patents to Canada, England, and Germany as well depending upon the outcome of this relationship. 

At first notion, I assumed George was related to Valentine Landgraf, hotel proprietor for the hotel that sat on the grounds of the present Brin building for forty plus years, but my research has not yielded a positive outcome to this idea.  I DO know he is not Valentine's son, as his obituary reports his only son's name was Alex.  I shall continue to research, unless someone comes forward with info I do not possess.

A Tale of Desire...and Beer

July 14, 1900, Appleton Crescent

With events that seem as if they could have been the inspiration for the movie, The Postman Always Rings Twice, comes this tale of desire, punctuated with actions that certainly, for that era, qualified as a crime of passion.  Even in the perceived mundane environs of the Fox Valley, emotions and passions could run high.