A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
Pages
Downtown 1958
Monday, February 28, 2022
Dog Days?
Friday, February 25, 2022
A First for Milwaukee
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Setting the Pace
March 14, 1942, Appleton Post-Crescent
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, or so the old saying went. Members of what has been termed "The Greatest Generation," once again pitch in to do their part for the war effort. Be it scrap drives, Victory Gardens, or air raid drills, members of the populace at large stepped in to pick up the slack while "our boys" fought overseas. That even included having some nice little touches like knowing first aid, for one never knows when such a skill might come in handy. World War II was the last big event the whole country rallied around, to my knowledge. In today's splintered political climate, one wonders if we could ever again achieve that level of dedication to a cause. Yes, one wonders....
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Nice to Be Wanted
February 20, 1970, Twin City News-Record
Today's post is a trade ad for the News-Record. And if it wasn't funny enough during 1970 to see the parents waiting for the kids to finish the newspaper, imagine how much this cartoon is an anachronism for 2022, a time when most households don't even receive a newspaper anymore. If printed today, the above view would more likely have all four family members with their faces embedded in their phones.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Washington's Birthday
February 14, 1878, Saturday Evening Press
I must say I'd never heard the legend that President George Washington was a "dance master" as the editor puts it here. But I'm sure, dancing notwithstanding, that there had to be SOME patriotic occurrence that commemorated the day. If not, the traditions were certainly resurrected in subsequent years as evidenced by the great record of oratories, pageants, and other events to honor the father of our country.
Monday, February 21, 2022
"Chop"ortunity Days
February 20, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent
Valley Fair gets in some well-worn Washington's Birthday puns and tropes in order to sell some merch. Cherry pie is the watchword at the Birchwood Restaurant. And I'm really interested in those "Beatle" belts that Walgreen's is selling. After all the Beatles came to America just less than two weeks before and anything with a Beatle name on it is fair game.
Friday, February 18, 2022
All Your Shopping Needs
February 23, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent
This was extracted from a wedding supplement to the Post-Crescent which, over the course of seven pages, followed this engaged couple from business to business within the confines of Valley Fair Shopping Center and featured them shown being served at many of the shopping center's retailers. I selected this photo as it showed some of the mall through the restaurant's windows. If I remember correctly, Woolworth's was to the left of Wohlford's and the center court and main entrance was to the right of that store. And I think you can catch a glimpse of Fanny Farmer's through the last window to the right. Ah, good memories.
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Pencil Portraits
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Honoring America
February 25, 1983, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
With Presidents Day approaching, it's time to get patriotic. And what could be more patriotic than raising and lowering the flag at school? What an honor.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
How the Railroads Came to Wisconsin
February 23, 1964, Appleton Post-Crescent
This is a good article about the formation of the Wisconsin Central Railroad in Menasha, its glory days and eventual downfall when financial problems raised their ugly head. It discusses the animosity fueling Neenah to convince the railroads to route the rails around Menasha, leaving a big obstacle (Little Lake Butte des Morts) between the trains and the city's industries.
Monday, February 14, 2022
A Valentine's Scolding
Friday, February 11, 2022
View of the Dam
We've seen this view before but not this particular postcard. Looking east, the Mill Street Bridge looms in the distance near the Menasha dam. St. Mary's rises from the trees, punctuating the skyline. To the right is Island Paper, to the left is the Menasha Woodenware, featuring one of its iconic oversized boxcars, a former circus conveyance, picked to accommodate the extra barrels it could hold.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
At Your Service
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
True?
St. Mary's Cemetery is said to be the only cemetery in the US with active railroad tracks running through it. I don't know if that is really true, but it makes a good piece of local folklore, enough to be repeated again and again since I was a boy in the 1960's.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
TV Times