A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Friday, April 30, 2021
'68 Edition
From St. Mary's 1968 yearbook, the Renard, comes this photo of the marching band. Now, I was never in the band, but I do have fond memories of it, to include the years my brothers who were in the same band, some 8-10 years before this photo was taken. And they wore the same uniform, with the crossed white belts. In fact, when I graduated in 1975, the same uniform was going strong. I have no idea, if and when, it was ever modernized but suffice it to say, by the powers invested in me by this blog, I hereby declare this uniform as "classic" St. Mary's band wear. You're welcome.
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Coonen's In Color
I'm not sure where I obtained these photos (they may have been featured in a Facebook group) so credit goes to that person. But they make smile, because this gas station was in the background of countless home movies and photos taken out in my back yard at Second and Depere and I don't think I've seen it featured in photos in color before these. What a time capsule...from the vintage cars to the gas for 34 cents a gallon. A car wash for 35 cents?! Unbelievable! We first discussed this gas station in 2013: https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/08/coonens-complete-service.html. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
A Work in Progress
April 17, 1954, Appleton Post-Crescent
All sorts of concerns made this improvement a necessity, the least of which was likely the widening of the streets. Even in later years, I was nervous navigating turns at this five point intersection; thank goodness, by the '70s when I was driving, it had a well-regulated traffic light system. I can only imagine the horrors of driving when it was likely a five way stop.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The Store That Serves You Right
April 7, 1925, Menasha Record
Obviously, this retailer had the utmost confidence in its wares...exotic fabrics with even more exotic names, the suggestion of an international flair while providing high quality and affordability. The home dressmaker just had to leave this store with a newfound determination and verve, courtesy of the style tips the sales people within must have provided. Hollywood fashion had nothing on this store.
Monday, April 26, 2021
Mill Work
May 15, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Here's another in the "Neenah-Menasha At Work" series the Northwestern put out in 1978. At that time, it was then known as the Menasha Paperboard Mill. Today, it is a subsidiary of Sonoco after it purchased the facility, known then as U.S. Paper Mills Corporation, in 2018.
Friday, April 23, 2021
Nine Special Years
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Orphan Babies
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Menasha...At Work
May 22, 1978, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Back when things were a little more hard industry driven, comes this snapshot of work at Gilbert's from '78. The Northwestern had run a series of such photo essays highlighting specific paper mills and other stalwarts of the Twin Cities throughout the year, some of which we featured in the past. Somehow this one escaped my grasp, but today I redeem myself.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
A Strange Rumbling
Monday, April 19, 2021
New Terminology
April 7, 1925, Menasha Record
My takeaway from these two strange happenings is my own incredulity that the term "motorist" in these articles is supplanted in favor of the term "autoist," which, to me, sounds totally weird. But my research indicates the word was first used for this definition in 1899, so it had a long association with those who drove motor cars. When It fell out of favor remains to be seen, but we know motoring as a thing, whereas "autoing" seemingly is not. Enco/Esso/Exxon used the phrase "Happy Motoring" in its ad campaigns for many years. Of course, "driver" supplanted "motorist" over time, though the word occasionally shows up in current usage.
Friday, April 16, 2021
Traditions
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Linsdau
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Reed's Bridge
Another postcard from the early 20th century, this time highlighting the dam and what was later known as the Mill Street Bridge. Postmarked November, 1909, the text on the picture side testifies to the postcard craze going on in the US at the time, as the author promises a "dandy" for Donald, the next time she sends a card. We visited with a similar photograph in 2013: http://menashabook.blogspot.com/2013/09/menasha-dam.html.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Main Street Revisited
Here at the blog, I've been doing this so long that there are countless references to Main Street resident on this site. Over the years, I've made a conscious effort to not repeat things as best as I can manage, but here and there there's a slip up. I don't believe I've featured this postcard before, but I could be wrong. If I have, please accept it in the best light possible. Yes, we've seen this view before, but not exactly, so to me, it qualifies as a new entry.
When was this photo taken? Well, the postcard is postmarked June 1910, which means about a month before, Main Street was paved for the first time because of the Elks convention coming to town that summer. But this photo predates that event and could have been taken anywhere between 1905 and 1910, as the Hotel Menasha wasn't completed until 1905-ish. The divided area of the writing side of the card places its printing no earlier than 1907 as that style was indicative of that era as well. So, anywhere from 1905-1910 is about the best estimate I can garner.
Monday, April 12, 2021
Pay Day
May 6, 1922, Menasha Record
Let's see what's playing at the Orpheum. Fan favorite Charlie Chaplin graces the screen to the delight of Menasha moviegoers. And once again, period slang befuddles me. This may be a "whang of a picture" according to the newspaper or the exhibitor, but I can't safely say what that even means. I'm sure it approximates a "winner" or a "blockbuster" or maybe even, simply a "hit." Your thoughts, dear readers?.
Friday, April 9, 2021
Summer Comfort
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Speed Demons
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
A Different Kind of Easter Parade
April 3, 1942, Appleton Post-Crescent
A little bit late for Easter, but never too late to be included in the blog is this charming little ad from the Milk Council. The Easter Bunny approves of this addition to the parade! Notice all the local dairies we had the pleasure of having back in the day, before the big companies took over and these little guys just couldn't compete any longer. Some lasted longer than others and I know each had its devoted customers. It's a world we'll never see again.