Loescher Says Buy Local

September 14, 1939, Menasha Record

Can you imagine buying a washer for $39.95?  Yes, it was 1939, but still.... I know, I know, it isn't fair to moon over prices like that when Depression era folks were lucky to find employment for 25 cents per hour.  But really, I feature this ad to applaud the idea that a local merchant would urge us to buy locally, especially from a stalwart like Speed Queen, made in good ol' Ripon, Wisconsin.  My Mom had a washer just like that, although it was a Maytag, made in Iowa, I think.  State pride aside, she knew and I knew that the Maytag was a work horse, so much so that growing up in an era that almost demanded automatic washers, she still opted to use the old Maytag with the wringer on the top.  And when she was gifted with a new modern one by my father, the thing lasted less than a week before she sent it back and got a newer wringer washer, another Maytag.  

I'm taking a week's vacation from the blog, so have a great Labor Day holiday.  I'll be back here on September 9th.  See you then!

Land Offices Map

When was the last time you saw a map that featured Menasha prominently and didn't include Neenah?  Ever?  This 1866 map of government land offices and the state's counties does just that, for Menasha was the US Government Land Office until 1893, with an office on Broad Street. 

Glory of the Morning

October 22, 1982, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

October 6, 1999, Appleton Post-Crescent

Today we get a great read about Hopokoekau, or Hopoekaw, purportedly the first woman ever talked about in the history of WIsconsin.  As the article states, her name means "when the morning comes" but she was better known by the French interpretation as "Glory of the Morning."  Although the resultant story is that she lived a long time, no one is for sure and reports of her lasting to the age of 140 are unlikely, though it makes for interesting reading.  Her influence on Doty Island and the surrounding area is immense, as her children and their descendants became profoundly important leaders in the Ho-Chunk tribe in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Nifty Map

This is a portion of a pictorial map showing historical events and locations within the state of Wisconsin, as well as waterways and counties. You'll notice the Nicolet landing is attributed to the Green Bay area, though we still get credit for Glory of the Morning.  More about her as the week progresses.  

The map was created in 1932 though the caption on the bottom reads:"Published by the Milwaukee Sentinel commemorating its one hundredth anniversary June 27, 1937. Approved by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission. Checked and approved by Dr. Joseph Shafer, superintendent of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, and Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg, senior research associate. Endorsed by the Wisconsin State Chamber of Commerce. Litho. in U.S.A."

The full map can be viewed here: 
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/maps/id/14255 and unlike many of the resources at the Wisconsin Historical Society, for this map, online reproduction of this material is permitted because its copyright protection has lapsed or because sharing it here for non-profit educational purposes complies with the Fair Use provisions of the U.S. Copyright Law. 

Dance School

       September 28, 1939, Menasha Record

Seems like dancing was a part of what was known as the "social graces" back then. A well rounded young man was supposed to be able to hold his own on the dance floor, as well as to be able to discern a salad fork from the dinner fork.  Menasha had its own school of dancing which, if you weren't prone to needing a brush-up on ballroom dancing, allowed you to learn the latest steps, and who knows, perhaps become the next Gene Kelly.

Drive...for your Sunday Dinner

August 11, 1928, Appleton Post-Crescent

Here at the blog, we often look askance at historical ads, commenting on prices and menu items which, though proper for the time, are taken out of context to the present day, and seem extremely inexpensive or unbelievably out of fashion.   Case in point- this Hotel Menasha ad.  $1.00 per plate seems rather affordable, wouldn't you say?  Even for 1928.  What amazes me is the command to "Drive to Hotel Menasha for your Sunday Dinner."  Perhaps this appealed to the more genteel crowd in Appleton who might find it exotic to drive down to Menasha in their Hupmobiles.  Did very many folks own cars in 1928? Especially in the Fox Valley?  I know we were in that transitioning phase when mass transit (the interurban) had just been phased out in favor of motor cars and buses, but I find it hard to believe everybody had a car in 1928.  Still, trends are to be followed in the retail and service industry games, so a call for car owners to drive to downtown Menasha might have been just the ticket.  Census statistics for the era show 24 million car registrations across the US and the trend would only increase, until the Great Depression years of the early 1930's caused a decrease. 

Kid Runners

September 11, 1989, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Enthusiasm and excitement ruled the day, despite the rainy, soggy conditions.  Such happy and determined faces took part in the competition.  I wonder how many of these kids still run. 

The Art of Conversation

September 21, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Some people have a better way about themselves than others, especially when it comes to conversing on the telephone.  Whereas an in-person encounter allows for visual cues and body language, talking on the phone to someone sight unseen is often awkward, at best, and difficult many times.   As trite as this might seem to the public at large, I can see benefits from having this drill during a speech class.  Today, especially in social situations, texting often might replace the conversation, but business still requires the telephone arts, as they were.

Grass on Main Street

August 31, 1950, Twin City News-Record

Oh, if only it were so for all we mowers of lawns city-wide.  Nah, where'd we be without our well-groomed and manicured lawns?   I guess this was the "cutting" technology of 1950?!

Milwaukee Road Supports the War

Before we totally leave the subject of World War II for awhile, we offer this trade ad from a business magazine in August of 1943, touting one of the local railroads' relationship to the military in regards to the war effort.  As industry put on a united front to aid the military, it was important to let the American public know how these bastions of big business were going to help bring the boys back home.  And if the by-product just happened to be more inclination for folks to use their particular product or service, then it was an added success besides just getting out the patriotic message. Public relations works, my friend.

More Celebrations

August 15, 1945, Appleton Post-Crescent

Such a big, momentous event demands more newspaper coverage, so here's the Post-Crescent's take on the end of the war as it pertained to the Twin Cities.  Overall, Neenah and Menasha did very well as far as orderliness was concerned.  Unlike the disastrous celebrations one hears about after a Stanley Cup victory or an NBA championship in some bigger burgs, the citizens let decorum rule the day, not allowing their excitement to overtake common sense. 

War Is Over

August 15, 1945, Menasha Record

This was a big day for Menasha, in that the whole city seemed to close down to celebrate the long awaited victory.  There was celebrating, though it was a bittersweet affair, considering the war dead, and all the other sacrifices the American public had to endure to get the job done.  It was a time to ponder, to consider what it all meant, to anticipate a brighter future, and to welcome loved ones back home.  All those things had to have been on the minds of Menashans as they raised a glass to toast the victory.

Menasha As She Now Is

December 16, 1871, Saturday Evening Press 

After yesterday's post about the "Menasha," the steam engine that started it all for the Wisconsin Central, it's only fair and of interest to present this letter account of one man's travel's from the line's origins in Menasha all the way to the end of the line in Ashland. Hopeful and optimistic and rather laudatory as well, are the author's platitudes for the communities along the line, extolling the virtues of abundant water power, friendly townspeople and seemingly endless timber for the future of the great state of Wisconsin.  As with many of these travelogues of the era, one truly wonders about the realities versus the actual conditions in that the writers are often cheerleaders and their reliability can sometimes be of dubious merit.  But it made for great copy in the newspapers of the day and what editor would not want to promote his area for the sake of future commerce and good will?

Locomotive History

September 30, 1955, Appleton Post-Crescent

A little bit of history, regarding the formation of the Wisconsin Central Railroad in 1871.  If the date of this newspaper clipping sounds familiar, it is because it is the day that James Dean crashed his car and became an instant legend.

The Nicolet Tercentennial

August 31, 1934, Appleton Post-Crescent

Now this would have been a pageant to see- the 300th anniversary celebration of the landing of Jean Nicolet.   I find it interesting that the only speaking part was that of the narrator, explaining what the audience was seeing, but I'm sure it was a thrill to see these famous names we'd grown up with, act out their parts,m even if only inmpantomime

Duck!

August 19, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

August 29, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

It looks like August of1983 was the summer of the duck, at least for the Northwestern's intrepid photographer and staff.  On a slow news day, nothing beats having a cute duck photo on file to fill the gap, even if it is used only 10 days apart.  And with that, have a nice weekend! 

Enterprising Businessman

August 7, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

One of the more interesting forays into the traditional lemonade stand business is this fine fellow, adding special touches that most assuredly made his stand distinctive, or dare I say, stand out.   His dress and hair style definitely scream 1970's! 

Vintage Local Ads

August 7, 1879, Menasha Press

The people listed here are a virtual Who's Who of early Menasha life, to include future mayors, bankers, and other movers and shakers from the era.  And don't forget to try the "dry champoo" for only 10 cents; it's just a short walk to the National Hotel. 

Snirkles

August 21, 1950, Twin City News-Record

I expanded the scope of this newspaper extract to feature the Snirkles candy ad.  I don't think I've ever seen an ad for this candy.  Who remembers this?  Do they still make these?  That was a delicious part of my childhood, and, undoubtedly, yours as well.

Charging Drills

August 15, 1950, Twin City News-Record

It's August again and that means the football season is right around the corner.  Hot, sweaty two-a-day practices were the watchword back in the day and I don't think it is any different now, except with more modern attention paid to the potential for heat-related injuries. 

Oh, What a Soda....

August 22, 1929, Appleton Post-Crescent

We've been to Schlintz's in the blog before, back in 2015 to celebrate Easter.  Schlintz's was a fixture in the Brin Building back in its early years.  For a city the size of Menasha, having four to five pharmacies at any given time, it seems like a lot, but considering the ice cream trade, they were more than just filling prescriptions and selling toiletries, they were a social hangout, too.

Penny Carnival

July 28, 1967, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

What could be more fun than fishing for a prize on a sunny summer afternoon?  Ah, the idylls of being young and carefree. No school, no worries, just the abundant sunshine, your friends, and a carnival atmosphere.