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Downtown 1958

Downtown 1958

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Happy Times

 July 5, 1957, Twin City News-Record
Ah, the simple joys of summer.  Carnival rides, fair food, and spending time with Dad.  What could be better?  So many recollections of fairs and picnics at Jefferson Park that they all wash into one big nice memory.  It certainly was a special time.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Just You Wait...

 July 8, 1957, Appleton Post-Crescent
Laughs and relaxation all around...for now.  But sooner than later, the ol' Sarge won't be wearing that Hawaiian short any more and he'll likely not resemble the friendly tour guide he appears to be right now.  And any number of his other cronies in starched fatigues and spit-shined black boots will make these guys' lives a bit more, to coin a word, unpleasant. 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Early Fox Valley

from the Tourist's Pocket Map of Michigan, 1835

After yesterday's treatise on the name of this lake, I thought I'd provide a little more context by featuring this early map.  The map showed the Michigan Territory of which Wisconsin was a part until gaining its own territory status when it was split off  in 1836 as Michigan prepared for statehood in 1837.  Its official name was The Tourist's Pocket Map Of Michigan Exhibiting Its Internal Improvements, Roads, Distances, & c. by J.H. Young. Philadelphia: Published By S. Augustus Mitchell. 1835

The following link will take you to the full size map:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tourist%27s_Pocket_Map_Of_Michigan_(Samuel_Augustus_Mitchell,_1835).jpg

Monday, June 27, 2022

Lost Lake Meaning

June 14, 1968, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Stinking water, indeed!  Despite the perceived errors in translation from way back when, I think Lake Winnebago, by now, has far redeemed itself, despite the recurrent dog days of summer, algae blooms, lake flies, etc.

Friday, June 24, 2022

Scout Around

 

June 25, 1923, Menasha Record
Why not visit your favorite local hardware store, conveniently located at Main and Racine, to find that bicycle you've been wanting for so long?  And the health benefits are an added bonus.  

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Back in Time

 June 3, 1998, Twin City News-Record

Periodically, we look back at several decades, thanks to the good folks at the News-Record.  Today, among other things, we get the Spanish-American War news, some picnicking advice, and a further remark about yesterday's reported "bargain day" in Menasha.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Bargain Day

June 5, 1923, Menasha Record

Today we feature an unabashed "fan" letter from a citizen of his day, visibly proud of his city's latest venture, a "bargain day" to draw outsiders into the Menasha fold.  And the writer offers a grand suggestion to keep up the momentum- having a weekly band concert as a draw to get outside people into town and henceforth boost retail efforts in the downtown.  

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Flag Day


June 13, 1940, Oshkosh Northwestern
Somehow we neglected to honor Flag Day last week on June 14th, so we take exception with that here at the blog.  So, let us hearken back to 1940 to see how the Twin Cities honored the day, to include a speech by a local attorney advocating an isolationist position while war raged in Europe.  One wonders a few years hence what his attitude might have been.  

Monday, June 20, 2022

Jefferson Park Idyll

 

June 24, 1969, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

I spent many an hour on this bench or one similar on the island in Jefferson Park on a lazy summer day.  Lots of plans were made while staring out into the lake.  It's a nice way to start the week.  

Friday, June 17, 2022

A Whale of a Gift

June 12, 1966, Appleton Post-Crescent

The good folks at Valley Fair and the Post-Crescent remind you that Father's Day is just around the corner.  And while Valley Fair is no longer an option, the PC still is out there and I'll bet today's edition is chock full of ads for the day.  And hey, this time, the date actually matches.  How about that.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Mama Loves Papa

June 17, 1966, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Menasha's oldest bank puts forth a goodwill effort to wish Dad a Happy Father's Day.  And considering that dads in the mid 1960s likely ARE the chief customers of this financial institution, they do themselves a service keeping Joe Average in the limelight.  Good marketing it is.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Good Ol' Log Cabin....

May 18, 1969, Appleton Post-Crescent

We feature this article to remember that Menasha wasn't always filled with the homes we see today lining the streets, despite some of the historical ones we still have from the late 19th century. No, log cabins were the first shelters for Menasha's pioneers.  This story tells it better than I ever could.  

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Trying Their Luck

June 21, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

From The Golden Northwest by James Maitland, Chicago: The Rollins Publishing Company, 1879.

"Menasha is a picturesque town which is situated at the foot of Lake Winnebago, where it finds its outlet through the Fox River. The charming little body of water known as Lake Butte des Morts, just southwest washes the confines of the place. Between the beauties and advantages of these lakes and the river, the visitor has opportunities of the best sort to indulge his taste for fishing, hunting, boating or sailing, to his heart's content."  

So, after almost a hundred years after those words were first written, Menasha still fulfilled this writer's vision of the city.  And today, after another almost fifty years on top of it, the conclusion still stands.

Monday, June 13, 2022

Ready

June 21, 1975, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern

Starting the week with some whimsy.  If this picture doesn't say 1970's/early 1980's, I don't know what else does.  From the hair to the clothes, these guys have the look.  I can almost see Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times in search of some "tasty waves" riding behind these two....

Friday, June 10, 2022

Sunday Menu


June 4, 1965, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Notice how the "Gourmet Select" menu doesn't mention any prices.  I figure if you have to ask, you can't afford it!  But hey, I understand marketing and if you lead with that, no one will come.  So the budget price is placed up front to encourage the masses to come and the premium diners, well, they'll come, too.  They might even opt for the budget menu.  Just don't tell their neighbors.  

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Every Monday and Tuesday!

 

June 23, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent
Regular readers of the blog know the author has fond memories of Valley Fair.  So it is with great glee that he presents these value-laden coupons for stores long forgotten by the masses.  But within his nostalgic perspective, he holds them near and dear as fundamental to his childhood memories as the big slide, the farmers markets, the car shows, and the carnival rides. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Oops!

June 1, 1933, Appleton Post-Crescent

Crazy happenings in Menasha in 1933 (see yesterday's fortune telling scam story.)  First off, I cannot believe the Federal government today would provide such a service for such a grievous mistake.  And then, it begs the question---who in their right mind would toss a bankbook into a fire without at least glancing through it to see what's inside?  It's not like tossing away an old newspaper.  Wow.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

On the Lam

 June 28, 1933, Appleton Post-Crescent

As the saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it usually is.  Now, $3 doesn't sound like all that much to lose but in the throes of the Depression, it was a considerable amount. Adjusted for inflation, the buying power for $3.00 in 1933 is equal to $63.85 in 2022.  I wonder how often this scam succeeded around the valley.  

Monday, June 6, 2022

Pamper Your Appetite!


 June 4, 1965, Neenah-Menasha Daily Northwestern
Ice cream values at 1965 prices makes us want to cross into Neenah to have ourselves a special summer treat.  During the 1960's, fast food franchises were hitting their stride and every locale had a regional chain, if not several national ones to service our needs. Robby's was one such undertaking.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Calder

June 14, 1968, Oshkosh Northwestern

As with yesterday's review of George Banta's life and company, this article about Nathan Calder appeared in the same edition of the Northwestern newspaper, celebrating its first 100 years of existence.   Coach Calder was first reviewed in 2012:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/09/calder-stadium-dedication.html.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

How it Began

 June 14, 1968, Oshkosh Northwestern

This great summation of George Banta's life and company  appears in an edition of the Northwestern newspaper, celebrating its first 100 years of existence.  As was the practice of the day, big events such as anniversaries necessitated a special edition with many stories about surrounding communities and their achievements.  We saw this during the 1948 celebration of Wisconsin's statehood and again in 1953 during Menasha's centennial. Mr. Banta was first reviewed in 2012:  https://menashabook.blogspot.com/2012/06/george-banta.html but doing a search for "Banta" at the blog will merit many posts about the company and its workers.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Exciting Summer

 June 1, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

 June 14, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

 June 15, 1963, Appleton Post-Crescent

That's a pretty nice deal, seeing the Egony Brothers for free in the Valley Fair parking lot, back when Valley Fair management would jump through hoops (well, almost literally, instead getting circus people and animals to do the jumping for them).  You just know the hope was that major shopping would ensue while the kids were busy, or perhaps for the entire family after the event itself.