A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Friday, January 29, 2021
Icy Tomb
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Per Annum
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
A Mountain of a Throw
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Whiting Revisited
Monday, January 25, 2021
Downtown 1957 (and today)
Here's another downtown picture, circa 1957, taken from the vantage point of approximately the old 1st National Bank. Despite a few alterations to the city "square" area and changes to the store fronts, these buildings remain to this day.
Friday, January 22, 2021
Another Day in the Books
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Menasha 1959
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
New Outfits
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
The Most Exciting Bargain Bazaar of the Year
Monday, January 18, 2021
Homecoming 1959
This comes from the same 1960 MHS annual, The Nicolet, that featured last week's basketball photo, so this had to be the 1959 homecoming. But seeing this photo with the neat convertible and the backdrop of Menasha merchants on Main Street meant I just had to share these photos. The car is approaching the intersection of Main and Mill Streets, judging by its position in front of Hidde's pharmacy. In my mind, there aren't enough depictions of Menasha's downtown in its heyday so having this "found" backdrop in this context was a real find for me. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, too.
Friday, January 15, 2021
The Old Court
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Dreaming of Shoes?
January 24, 1938, Menasha Record
Here's a silly ad by Tuchscherer's for its Florsheim shoe sale. Usually, the mores of the time would have women dreaming of shoes, but maybe this guy is just really tired. It looks like he's wearing a necktie so he must be burning the candle at both ends, getting in a little hunting trip before embarking for work. Or, maybe it's the other way around. Whatever the case, it's a whimsical reminder of a long standing business downtown.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Craftsmen in Paper
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
The News from Menasha
January 16, 1896, Oshkosh Northwestern
Just the news from an ordinary winter's day in 1896, led by a humorous anecdote about a street car driver. At first glance, it kind of comes across like a joke... a street car driver walks into a bar, etc. Of course, my habitual challenge with the era's language leads me to ask, just what IS a commercial man?" And as best as I can find, it meant an attorney who specializes in what we'd refer to today as business law.
Monday, January 11, 2021
To Travelers!
Saturday Evening Press, January 10, 1878
In 1878, Menasha was only four years removed from becoming a city and was still finding its way. Mr. R. M. Scott, local civic leader and owner of the National Hotel ensured those who read his advertisement for the hotel had additional information touting the area's strong points to encourage visitors. Written in typical flowery nineteenth century language, he even promises that sportsmen had "no lack of pleasurable novelties." Not sure what that meant, but count me intrigued!
More about Mr. Scott at: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/06/r-m-scott.html
Friday, January 8, 2021
Calm
January 16, 1968, Twin City News-Record
Let's end the week on a calming note. This photo above, was itself taken in what would later become a very stormy year, long considered the most explosive and chaotic in our country's history. But then, this week arrived. After a very tumultuous week nationally, I resolve to find some solace in the quiet dignity and calm of nature to attempt to soothe my frazzled psyche. I look forward to the time when the daily inflammatory news fades from view and we can return to a more mundane time, if that is even possible anymore.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Bandits
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Lighting Up the Skies
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
A New Light
January 2, 1965, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
By now most Americans know what a luminaria is, but in 1965, it was a new concept to the Fox Valley. At one time or another, anything new is considered exotic...the idea of a pinata was strange and new at one time and now is a staple of most every kids' birthday party, for example. And if you were wondering, the St. Norbert's tuition was increasing from $265 to $300 per term.
Monday, January 4, 2021
His Master's Voice?
December 26, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
We've featured Tip Top in several other blog appearances, but none of them featured this cute (inadvertent?) recreation of the RCA "His Master's Voice" advertisement. Those of us of a certain age know what I'm talking about, but for our younger readers, here's a reminder of that ad from the original painting in 1898:
And for you trivia buffs...the dog's name is Nipper. Not sure about Mr. Nelson's dog.