What's In a Name?

August 10, 1954, Appleton Post-Crescent

All week long it seems I've dwelled on changing street names, and the what-if's regarding city streets.  Now comes this find about what Valley Fair could have been called in a parallel universe, if you will.  In retrospect, I think they picked the right name.  Can you imagine shopping at "Magic City" or, even worse in my humble opinion, "Outabago Shopping Center?"

Rudy's Magazine Rack

September 17, 1951, Appleton Post-Crescent

Recent inquiries in the "You know you are from Menasha if you remember...." Facebook group about Rudy's prompts me to add these items to the blog.  

September 15, 1971, Twin City News-Record

Almost twenty years to the day, these two mentions in local newspapers about my mecca for comic books while growing up.  And yes, the magazines DID cover the wall, especially the comic books in the back.

November 12, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

The above is the only photo of Rudy's I've ever found, and even then, I am not sure if this is it in the background, between the furniture store and bowling alley.  I want to believe it is.

Just Curious, He Was

June 23, 1923, Appleton Post-Crescent

We've done the whole researching of street names before.  See the following links to blog posts from 2013:  http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/07/tayco-street.html  and http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/07/konemac-street.html.

I still contend that all four names are derived from Indian words and it amuses me that the writer of the question had no clue.  For that matter, did he know what Menasha even meant?

Keyes Legacy

June 14, 1970, Appleton Post-Crescent

The definitive answer on how to pronounce "Keyes" and much, much more.  We first met Joseph Keyes in 2015:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2015/08/joseph-keyes.html.  The letter from 1839 is most telling, regarding the native peoples living in the area and his sense of wonder at what riches Wisconsin could bring, if only the Easterners would move West to cultivate their fortunes.

New Name?

February 19, 1930, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

 

February 20, 1930, Menasha Record 

Seems like change was afoot in the Menasha City Council when this alderman suggested renaming Main Street to something a bit more descriptive.  I would chance that Main Street is most likely the most common street name in the United States but he must have drunk the Neenah Kool-Aid with the idea of a Wisconsin Avenue-type name in his mind's eye.  From my research, I found the above reader of the Menasha Record with some suggestions for him but then the idea must have been dropped as I found nothing more.  Too band, it could have made for an interesting contest.

Last Dance, Last Chance...

March 4, 1935, Menasha Record

I guess the author of this advertisement didn't get the memo from his local pastor that Lent isn't meant to be all doom and gloom!   Oh sure, we all know about self-sacrifice in preparation for Easter, but this ad brought it to a new level, if only because of the author's candor.

Mr. Smith Tells the Tale

June 29, 1896, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Sometimes here at the blog we tend to get caught up in trivial stuff, making light of this pothole, or that funny birdhouse, just because they happen to be within the city limits.   But today's installment is real history.  Menasha's great benefactor, Mr. Elisha D. Smith himself authors the article above where, in the twilight of his incredible life, he records many Menasha firsts.  I found the article quite fascinating and I thought it rather endearing in the modest way he portrayed himself and the Woodenware in relation to Menasha.  Your mileage may vary, but I think you'll like it.

Rebellious Bridge

April 3, 1976, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Apparently the moral of this story is that spring cleaning only brings unnecessary trouble.  Or, live by the bridge, die by the bridge.  Or maybe,...just get out of line and use the other bridge! 

Nice Rides

March 21, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

In looking for an excuse to extol the virtues of the coming Spring, I chanced upon these two classic automobiles, making their way through the wet city streets.  Dream cars from 60 years ago.  Nice. 

Live Easter Bunny

March 16, 1967, Twin City News-Record

Easter varies from year to year, and this year it's about as late as it can be, coming in on April 21st.   Easter is what's called a moveable feast, in that it takes place on different dates each year and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon.  As it turns out, it won't be in March again until 2024.  But if you're jonesing for Easter, regardless of the constant reminders in the candy aisles of stores of all kinds, here's your temporary fix until that late April date.

Dance the Night Away

March 16, 1939, Appleton Post-Crescent

With a little research, I learned that Wally Johnson was just two years out of high school when he came to play in Menasha, having toured many dance halls throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.  He even played at the 1939 New York World's Fair and after building air bases around the world with the Corps of Engineers during the war, he went into the dog kennel business and found a very lucrative market out there.  He created the "Kennel-Aire Professional Fold-and-Carry Wire Dog Crate" the prototype for folding dog crates everywhere.  Wow.  Apparently, the moral of the story here is that some folks are talented no matter what they do in life and opportunity presents itself when least expected.  Success comes in different forms and might be delayed until later in life.  Wally was in his 40's before he hit it big with his dog crate.  But at the time,I'm sure Wally and company provided a good time for all!  

And a very Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Some Theater History

January 21, 1960, Appleton Post-Crescent

This article has no merit if for no other reason than it provides a little history about the old Valley Theater.  I haven't yet checked to see if these plans ever came to fruition but I suspect they did not as this property was eventually demolished around 1964 to provide space for the then-new First National Bank, which was right across the street from the Bank of Menasha.  Of course, in time the bank was also demolished to make room for the marina project. 

The Coming "Holiday"

February 12, 1907, Menasha Record

There's nothing like the tricky editors of the Record to pull the proverbial wool over the readers' eyes regarding St. Patrick's Day.  This quirk of the calendar works also for THIS year, 112 years later, as you've undoubtedly already ascertained, though don't expect the city to "roll up the sidewalks" the way they did way back then.

What the Stylish Heroines Wear

March 26, 1941, Appleton Post-Crescent

Though headquartered at Jandrey's in neighboring Neenah, Menasha gets equal billing as a market for this spring style.  With war rumbling in Europe, America was less than nine months from entering the conflict and to focus on something so trivial, seems bittersweet, knowing now the hardships Americans would face in the coming years.  Perhaps it was a prelude of the heroic efforts we all would anticipate, as it seems that heroes wear capes, at least in the comic books!  Just ask any kid from that era about Superman, who was all the rage.

Pre-War Prices!

March 18, 1922, Daily News and The Times

Late last year we focused on rising haircut prices during World War II.  Today, we hearken back to a time of prosperity, the Roaring Twenties, when a man couldn't have a legal drink, but he COULD get a thrifty shave and a haircut.  At least he'd look great riding in that Model T. 

All Aboard!

March 10, 1942, Appleton Post-Crescent

What a fun time this must have been for the Jefferson kindergarteners!  Evidently I came along twenty years too late to that school because I don't remember anything as grand as that during my tenure at the school in the 1962-63 school year. 

Doll House

March 17, 1937, Menasha Record

March 18, 1937, Appleton Post-Crescent

March 19, 1937, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern

Three newspapers and no photo, or even a drawing of the dollhouse.  We've discussed this before, how newspapers of the earlier 20th century weren't akin to have too many photos and opted for artist's caricatures at times.  I guess this is yet another example of this, or else the budget didn't allow for such a frivolous human interest story.

Banks

March 13, 1959, Appleton Post-Crescent

Looking like a miniature city on the table before them, the members of the local historical society and local bankers view Mr. Hug's collection. It's interesting how Menasha tended to use the remains of old financial institutions over the years for their city hall offices, from the original First National Bank, to its replacement, and then to the old Twin City Savings and Loan.

Wide Selections! Outstanding Values! Friendly Clerks!

March 26, 1952, Appleton Post-Crescent

So I must admit, having been born not until 1956, that some of these businesses had long come and gone by the time I was aware of any of them.  But I am really intrigued by the Porto Aquarium and Pet Supply which boasted the "largest aquarium north of Milwaukee."  That's a big boast for a Menasha store, especially one hemmed in by the library on one side and Tuchscherer's on the other.  Still, I'd have liked to have seen such a place as a young man; it might have even become a regular stop on downtown excursions.  Instead, I had to satisfy myself with trips to the Schulz Bros. dime store and Rudy's Magazine Rack to look at comic books.  Well, come to think of it, maybe that wasn't half bad after all.

Pay Those Taxes

March 9, 1898, Appleton Post-Crescent

This is appropriate as it is tax season.  I'm sure it was inadvertent, but it reads like a long story or joke, awaiting the punchline at the end.  That it involves the John Strange Company and to refer to those who work there as the "Strange people", well, I guess that's the payoff for your rapt attention for the 30-40 seconds to scan this piece.  Ha ha.  I wonder if the editor caught it and just let it go.  Or not.

Buoy Boys

March 31, 1967, Twin City News-Record

This is a bit premature, but we can dream, can't we?  March brings the new season, at least by the calendar, and these harbingers of Spring are most assuredly a desired quantity, after the months of brutal snow and cold are left behind.